Difference between revisions of "2012 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 21"
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==Problem== | ==Problem== | ||
Four distinct points are arranged on a plane so that the segments connecting them have lengths <math>a</math>, <math>a</math>, <math>a</math>, <math>a</math>, <math>2a</math>, and <math>b</math>. What is the ratio of <math>b</math> to <math>a</math>? | Four distinct points are arranged on a plane so that the segments connecting them have lengths <math>a</math>, <math>a</math>, <math>a</math>, <math>a</math>, <math>2a</math>, and <math>b</math>. What is the ratio of <math>b</math> to <math>a</math>? | ||
<math>\textbf{(A)}\ \sqrt{3}\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 2\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ \sqrt{5}\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 3\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \pi</math> | <math>\textbf{(A)}\ \sqrt{3}\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 2\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ \sqrt{5}\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 3\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \pi</math> | ||
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==Solution== | ==Solution== | ||
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label("$b=\sqrt{3}a$", (1/2, sqrt(3)/2)--(2, 0), NE); | label("$b=\sqrt{3}a$", (1/2, sqrt(3)/2)--(2, 0), NE); | ||
</asy> | </asy> | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Solution 2 == | ||
+ | |||
+ | For any <math>4</math> non-collinear points with the given requirement, notice that there must be a triangle with side lengths <math>a</math>, <math>a</math>, <math>2a</math>, which is not possible as <math>a+a=2a</math>. Thus at least <math>3</math> of the <math>4</math> points must be collinear. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If all <math>4</math> points are collinear, then there would only be <math>3</math> lines of length <math>a</math>, which wouldn't work. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If exactly <math>3</math> points are collinear, the only possibility that works is when a <math>30^{\circ}-90^{\circ}-60^{\circ}</math> triangle is formed. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Thus <math>b=\sqrt{3}a</math>, or <math>\frac{b}{a}=\boxed{\mathrm{(A)}\sqrt{3}}</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ~ Nafer | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Solution 3 (using the answer choices) == | ||
+ | |||
+ | We know that <math>a-b-2a</math> form a triangle. From triangle inequality, we see that <math>b>a</math>. Then, we also see that there is an isosceles triangle with lengths <math>a-a-b</math>. From triangle inequality: <math>b<2a</math>. The only answer choice that holds these two inequalities is: <math>\sqrt{3}</math>. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Video Solution by Richard Rusczyk== | ||
+ | https://artofproblemsolving.com/videos/amc/2012amc10b/271 | ||
+ | |||
+ | ~dolphin7 | ||
+ | |||
+ | (Direct Youtube Link) | ||
+ | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sL7bhkVivo | ||
+ | |||
+ | ~lukiebear | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == |
Latest revision as of 20:18, 23 October 2021
Contents
Problem
Four distinct points are arranged on a plane so that the segments connecting them have lengths ,
,
,
,
, and
. What is the ratio of
to
?
Solution
When you see that there are lengths a and 2a, one could think of 30-60-90 triangles. Since all of the other's lengths are a, you could think that .
Drawing the points out, it is possible to have a diagram where
. It turns out that
and
could be the lengths of a 30-60-90 triangle, and the other 3
can be the lengths of an equilateral triangle formed from connecting the dots.
So,
, so
Solution 2
For any non-collinear points with the given requirement, notice that there must be a triangle with side lengths
,
,
, which is not possible as
. Thus at least
of the
points must be collinear.
If all points are collinear, then there would only be
lines of length
, which wouldn't work.
If exactly points are collinear, the only possibility that works is when a
triangle is formed.
Thus , or
~ Nafer
Solution 3 (using the answer choices)
We know that form a triangle. From triangle inequality, we see that
. Then, we also see that there is an isosceles triangle with lengths
. From triangle inequality:
. The only answer choice that holds these two inequalities is:
.
Video Solution by Richard Rusczyk
https://artofproblemsolving.com/videos/amc/2012amc10b/271
~dolphin7
(Direct Youtube Link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sL7bhkVivo
~lukiebear
See Also
2012 AMC 10B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 20 |
Followed by Problem 22 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 | ||
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions |
The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.