Art of Problem Solving
AoPS Online
Math texts, online classes, and more
for students in grades 5-12.
Visit AoPS Online ‚
Books for Grades 5-12 Online Courses
Beast Academy
Engaging math books and online learning
for students ages 6-13.
Visit Beast Academy ‚
Books for Ages 6-13 Beast Academy Online
AoPS Academy
Small live classes for advanced math
and language arts learners in grades 2-12.
Visit AoPS Academy ‚
Find a Physical Campus Visit the Virtual Campus

Difference between revisions of "2018 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 23"

(→‎Problem)
(→‎Solution 4 (It's not that deep))
 
(51 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
  
−
Ajay is standing at point <math>A</math> near Pontianak, Indonesia, <math>0^\circ</math> latitude and <math>110^\circ \text{ E}</math> longitude. Billy is standing at point <math>B</math> near Big Baldy Mountain, Idaho, USA, <math>45^\circ \text{ N}</math> latitude and <math>115^\circ \text{ W}</math> longitude. Assume that Earth is a perfect sphere with center <math>C</math>. What is the degree measure of <math>\angle ACB</math>?
+
Ajay is standing at point <math>A</math> near Pontianak, Indonesia, <math>0^\circ</math> latitude and <math>110^\circ \text{ E}</math> longitude. Billy is standing at point <math>B</math> near Big Baldy Mountain, Idaho, USA, <math>45^\circ \text{ N}</math> latitude and <math>115^\circ \text{ W}</math> longitude. Assume that Earth is a perfect sphere with center <math>C.</math> What is the degree measure of <math>\angle ACB?</math>
  
−
<cmath>\textbf{(A) }105 \qquad
+
<math>\textbf{(A) }105 \qquad
 
\textbf{(B) }112\frac{1}{2} \qquad
 
\textbf{(B) }112\frac{1}{2} \qquad
 
\textbf{(C) }120 \qquad
 
\textbf{(C) }120 \qquad
 
\textbf{(D) }135 \qquad
 
\textbf{(D) }135 \qquad
−
\textbf{(E) }150 \qquad</cmath>
+
\textbf{(E) }150 \qquad</math>
  
−
== Solution ==
+
== Diagram ==
 +
<asy>
 +
/* Made by MRENTHUSIASM */
 +
size(250);
 +
import graph3;
 +
import solids;
  
−
Suppose that Earth is a unit sphere with center <math>(0,0,0).</math> We can let
+
currentprojection=orthographic((0.2,-0.5,0.2));
−
<cmath>A=(1,0,0), B=\left(-\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2},\frac{\sqrt 2}{2}\right).</cmath>The angle <math>\theta</math> between these two vectors satisfies <math>\cos\theta=A\cdot B=-\frac{1}{2},</math> yielding <math>\theta=120^{\circ},</math> or <math>\boxed{\textbf{C}.}</math>
+
triple A, B, C;
 +
A = (1,0,0);
 +
B = (-1/2,1/2,sqrt(2)/2);
 +
C = (0,0,0);
 +
draw(unitsphere,white,light=White);
 +
dot(A^^B^^C,linewidth(4.5));
 +
draw(Circle(C,1,(0,0,1))^^A--C--B);
 +
label("$A$",A,3*dir(A));
 +
label("$B$",B,3*dir(B));
 +
label("$C$",C,3*(0,0,-1));
 +
</asy>
 +
~MRENTHUSIASM
 +
 
 +
== Solution 1 (Tetrahedron) ==
 +
This solution refers to the <b>Diagram</b> section.
 +
 
 +
Let <math>D</math> be the orthogonal projection of <math>B</math> onto the equator. Note that <math>\angle BDA = \angle BDC = 90^\circ</math> and <math>\angle BCD = 45^\circ.</math> Recall that <math>115^\circ \text{ W}</math> longitude is the same as <math>245^\circ \text{ E}</math> longitude, so <math>\angle ACD=135^\circ.</math>
 +
 
 +
We obtain the following diagram:
 +
<asy>
 +
/* Made by MRENTHUSIASM */
 +
size(250);
 +
import graph3;
 +
import solids;
 +
 
 +
currentprojection=orthographic((0.2,-0.5,0.2));
 +
triple A, B, C, D;
 +
A = (1,0,0);
 +
B = (-1/2,1/2,sqrt(2)/2);
 +
C = (0,0,0);
 +
D = (-1/2,1/2,0);
 +
draw(unitsphere,white,light=White);
 +
draw(surface(A--B--C--cycle),yellow);
 +
dot(A^^B^^C^^D,linewidth(4.5));
 +
draw(Circle(C,1,(0,0,1))^^A--B--D--C--B^^C--A--D);
 +
label("$A$",A,3*dir(A));
 +
label("$B$",B,3*dir(B));
 +
label("$C$",C,3*(0,0,-1));
 +
label("$D$",D,3*(-1/2,-1/2,0));
 +
</asy>
 +
Without loss of generality, let <math>AC=BC=1.</math> For tetrahedron <math>ABCD:</math>
 +
<ol style="margin-left: 1.5em;">
 +
  <li>Since <math>\triangle BCD</math> is an isosceles right triangle, we have <math>BD=CD=\frac{\sqrt2}{2}.</math></li><p>
 +
  <li>In <math>\triangle ACD,</math> we apply the Law of Cosines to get <math>AD=\sqrt{AC^2+CD^2-2\cdot AC\cdot CD\cdot\cos\angle ACD}=\frac{\sqrt{10}}{2}.</math></li><p>
 +
  <li>In right <math>\triangle ABD,</math> we apply the Pythagorean Theorem to get <math>AB=\sqrt{AD^2+BD^2}=\sqrt{3}.</math></li><p>
 +
  <li>In <math>\triangle ABC,</math> we apply the Law of Cosines to get <math>\cos\angle ACB=\frac{AC^2+BC^2-AB^2}{2\cdot AC\cdot BC}=-\frac12,</math> so <math>\angle ACB=\boxed{\textbf{(C) }120}</math> degrees.</li><p>
 +
</ol>
 +
~MRENTHUSIASM
 +
 
 +
== Solution 2 (Cartesian Coordinates and Vectors) ==
 +
This solution refers to the <b>Diagram</b> section.
 +
 
 +
Let <math>D</math> be the orthogonal projection of <math>B</math> onto the equator. Note that <math>\angle BDA = \angle BDC = 90^\circ</math> and <math>\angle BCD = 45^\circ.</math> Recall that <math>115^\circ \text{ W}</math> longitude is the same as <math>245^\circ \text{ E}</math> longitude, so <math>\angle ACD=135^\circ.</math>
 +
 
 +
Without loss of generality, let <math>AC=BC=1.</math> As shown below, we place Earth in the <math>xyz</math>-plane with <math>C=(0,0,0)</math> such that the positive <math>x</math>-axis runs through <math>A,</math> the positive <math>y</math>-axis runs through <math>0^\circ</math> latitude and <math>160^\circ \text{ W}</math> longitude, and the positive <math>z</math>-axis runs through the North Pole.
 +
<asy>
 +
/* Made by MRENTHUSIASM */
 +
size(300);
 +
import graph3;
 +
import solids;
 +
 
 +
currentprojection=orthographic((0.2,-0.5,0.2));
 +
triple A, B, C, D;
 +
A = (1,0,0);
 +
B = (-1/2,1/2,sqrt(2)/2);
 +
C = (0,0,0);
 +
D = (-1/2,1/2,0);
 +
draw(unitsphere,white,light=White);
 +
dot(A^^B^^C^^D,linewidth(4.5));
 +
draw(Circle(C,1,(0,0,1))^^B--C--D--cycle);
 +
label("$A$",A,5*dir((2.5,-3,0)));
 +
label("$B$",B,3*dir(B));
 +
label("$C$",C,1.5*(1,0,-1));
 +
label("$D$",D,3*(-1/2,-1/2,0));
 +
draw((-1.5,0,0)--(1.5,0,0),linewidth(1.25),EndArrow3(10));
 +
draw((0,-1.5,0)--(0,1.5,0),linewidth(1.25),EndArrow3(10));
 +
draw((0,0,-1.5)--(0,0,1.5),linewidth(1.25),EndArrow3(10));
 +
label("$x$",(1.5,0,0),2*dir((1.5,0,0)));
 +
label("$y$",(0,1.5,0),3*dir((0,1.5,0)));
 +
label("$z$",(0,0,1.5),2*dir((0,0,1.5)));
 +
</asy>
 +
It follows that <math>A=(1,0,0)</math> and <math>D=(-t,t,0)</math> for some positive number <math>t.</math> Since <math>\triangle BCD</math> is an isosceles right triangle, we have <math>B=\left(-t,t,\sqrt{2}t\right).</math> By the Distance Formula, we get <math>(-t)^2+t^2+\left(\sqrt{2}t\right)^2=1,</math> from which <math>t=\frac12.</math>
 +
 
 +
As <math>\vec{A} = \begin{pmatrix}1 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}</math> and <math>\vec{B} = \begin{pmatrix}-1/2 \\ 1/2 \\ \sqrt2/2 \end{pmatrix},</math> we obtain <cmath>\cos\angle ACB=\frac{\vec{A}\bullet\vec{B}}{\left\lVert\vec{A}\right\rVert\left\lVert\vec{B}\right\rVert}=-\frac12</cmath> by the dot product, so <math>\angle ACB=\boxed{\textbf{(C) }120}</math> degrees.
 +
 
 +
~MRENTHUSIASM
 +
 
 +
== Solution 3 (Spherical Coordinates and Vectors) ==
 +
This solution refers to the diagram in Solution 2.
 +
 
 +
In spherical coordinates <math>(\rho,\theta,\phi),</math> note that <math>\rho,\theta,</math> and <math>\phi</math> represent the radial distance, the polar angle, and the azimuthal angle, respectively.
 +
 
 +
Without loss of generality, let <math>AC=BC=1.</math> As shown in Solution 2, we place Earth in the <math>xyz</math>-plane with origin <math>C</math> such that the positive <math>x</math>-axis runs through <math>A,</math> the positive <math>y</math>-axis runs through <math>0^\circ</math> latitude and <math>160^\circ \text{ W}</math> longitude, and the positive <math>z</math>-axis runs through the North Pole.
 +
 
 +
In spherical coordinates, we have <math>A=(1,90^\circ,0^\circ)</math> and <math>B=(1,45^\circ,135^\circ).</math> Now, we express <math>\vec{A}</math> and <math>\vec{B}</math> in Cartesian coordinates: <cmath>\vec{A} = \begin{pmatrix}\sin90^\circ \cos0^\circ \\ \sin90^\circ \sin0^\circ \\ \cos90^\circ \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}1 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \text{ and } \vec{B} = \begin{pmatrix}\sin45^\circ \cos135^\circ \\ \sin45^\circ \sin135^\circ \\ \cos45^\circ \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}-1/2 \\ 1/2 \\ \sqrt2/2 \end{pmatrix}.</cmath>
 +
We continue with the last paragraph of Solution 2 to get the answer <math>\angle ACB=\boxed{\textbf{(C) }120}</math> degrees.
 +
 
 +
~MRENTHUSIASM
 +
 
 +
== Solution 4 (It's not that deep) ==
 +
This solution refers to the diagram in Solution 2. Let the radius of the sphere be <math>r</math>.
 +
 
 +
Form <math>\triangle{ABC}</math> and notice that it is isosceles, with <math>AC=BC</math>. Draw the circle with radius equal to the sphere (great circle) with <math>0^{\circ}</math> latitude.
 +
 
 +
Drop a perpendicular from B onto this circle. Let the foot of this perpendicular be called <math>D</math>. Since <math>\angle{DCA} = 135^{\circ}</math>, by Law of Cosines on <math>\triangle{ACD}</math>, <math>(AD)^2 = \frac{5}{2}r^2</math>. Since <math>BD</math> is a perpendicular, we can form right triangle <math>\triangle{BDA}</math>. By Pythag, <math>AB=\sqrt{\frac{1}{2}r^2 + \frac{5}{2}r^2} = r\sqrt{3}</math>. Since <math>\triangle{ABC}</math> has side lengths <math>r, r, </math> and <math>r\sqrt{3}</math>, <math>\angle{BCA} = \boxed{\textbf{(C) }120^{\circ}}</math>.
 +
 
 +
-skibbysiggy
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
Line 18: Line 129:
 
{{AMC12 box|year=2018|ab=B|num-b=22|num-a=24}}
 
{{AMC12 box|year=2018|ab=B|num-b=22|num-a=24}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 +
 +
[[Category:Intermediate Geometry Problems]]

Latest revision as of 02:48, 25 September 2024

Problem

Ajay is standing at point $A$ near Pontianak, Indonesia, $0^\circ$ latitude and $110^\circ \text{ E}$ longitude. Billy is standing at point $B$ near Big Baldy Mountain, Idaho, USA, $45^\circ \text{ N}$ latitude and $115^\circ \text{ W}$ longitude. Assume that Earth is a perfect sphere with center $C.$ What is the degree measure of $\angle ACB?$

$\textbf{(A) }105 \qquad \textbf{(B) }112\frac{1}{2} \qquad \textbf{(C) }120 \qquad \textbf{(D) }135 \qquad \textbf{(E) }150 \qquad$

Diagram

[asy] /* Made by MRENTHUSIASM */ size(250); import graph3; import solids; currentprojection=orthographic((0.2,-0.5,0.2)); triple A, B, C; A = (1,0,0); B = (-1/2,1/2,sqrt(2)/2); C = (0,0,0); draw(unitsphere,white,light=White); dot(A^^B^^C,linewidth(4.5)); draw(Circle(C,1,(0,0,1))^^A--C--B); label("$A$",A,3*dir(A)); label("$B$",B,3*dir(B)); label("$C$",C,3*(0,0,-1)); [/asy] ~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 1 (Tetrahedron)

This solution refers to the Diagram section.

Let $D$ be the orthogonal projection of $B$ onto the equator. Note that $\angle BDA = \angle BDC = 90^\circ$ and $\angle BCD = 45^\circ.$ Recall that $115^\circ \text{ W}$ longitude is the same as $245^\circ \text{ E}$ longitude, so $\angle ACD=135^\circ.$

We obtain the following diagram: [asy] /* Made by MRENTHUSIASM */ size(250); import graph3; import solids; currentprojection=orthographic((0.2,-0.5,0.2)); triple A, B, C, D; A = (1,0,0); B = (-1/2,1/2,sqrt(2)/2); C = (0,0,0); D = (-1/2,1/2,0); draw(unitsphere,white,light=White); draw(surface(A--B--C--cycle),yellow); dot(A^^B^^C^^D,linewidth(4.5)); draw(Circle(C,1,(0,0,1))^^A--B--D--C--B^^C--A--D); label("$A$",A,3*dir(A)); label("$B$",B,3*dir(B)); label("$C$",C,3*(0,0,-1)); label("$D$",D,3*(-1/2,-1/2,0)); [/asy] Without loss of generality, let $AC=BC=1.$ For tetrahedron $ABCD:$

  1. Since $\triangle BCD$ is an isosceles right triangle, we have $BD=CD=\frac{\sqrt2}{2}.$

  2. In $\triangle ACD,$ we apply the Law of Cosines to get $AD=\sqrt{AC^2+CD^2-2\cdot AC\cdot CD\cdot\cos\angle ACD}=\frac{\sqrt{10}}{2}.$

  3. In right $\triangle ABD,$ we apply the Pythagorean Theorem to get $AB=\sqrt{AD^2+BD^2}=\sqrt{3}.$

  4. In $\triangle ABC,$ we apply the Law of Cosines to get $\cos\angle ACB=\frac{AC^2+BC^2-AB^2}{2\cdot AC\cdot BC}=-\frac12,$ so $\angle ACB=\boxed{\textbf{(C) }120}$ degrees.

~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 2 (Cartesian Coordinates and Vectors)

This solution refers to the Diagram section.

Let $D$ be the orthogonal projection of $B$ onto the equator. Note that $\angle BDA = \angle BDC = 90^\circ$ and $\angle BCD = 45^\circ.$ Recall that $115^\circ \text{ W}$ longitude is the same as $245^\circ \text{ E}$ longitude, so $\angle ACD=135^\circ.$

Without loss of generality, let $AC=BC=1.$ As shown below, we place Earth in the $xyz$-plane with $C=(0,0,0)$ such that the positive $x$-axis runs through $A,$ the positive $y$-axis runs through $0^\circ$ latitude and $160^\circ \text{ W}$ longitude, and the positive $z$-axis runs through the North Pole. [asy] /* Made by MRENTHUSIASM */ size(300); import graph3; import solids; currentprojection=orthographic((0.2,-0.5,0.2)); triple A, B, C, D; A = (1,0,0); B = (-1/2,1/2,sqrt(2)/2); C = (0,0,0); D = (-1/2,1/2,0); draw(unitsphere,white,light=White); dot(A^^B^^C^^D,linewidth(4.5)); draw(Circle(C,1,(0,0,1))^^B--C--D--cycle); label("$A$",A,5*dir((2.5,-3,0))); label("$B$",B,3*dir(B)); label("$C$",C,1.5*(1,0,-1)); label("$D$",D,3*(-1/2,-1/2,0)); draw((-1.5,0,0)--(1.5,0,0),linewidth(1.25),EndArrow3(10)); draw((0,-1.5,0)--(0,1.5,0),linewidth(1.25),EndArrow3(10)); draw((0,0,-1.5)--(0,0,1.5),linewidth(1.25),EndArrow3(10)); label("$x$",(1.5,0,0),2*dir((1.5,0,0))); label("$y$",(0,1.5,0),3*dir((0,1.5,0))); label("$z$",(0,0,1.5),2*dir((0,0,1.5))); [/asy] It follows that $A=(1,0,0)$ and $D=(-t,t,0)$ for some positive number $t.$ Since $\triangle BCD$ is an isosceles right triangle, we have $B=\left(-t,t,\sqrt{2}t\right).$ By the Distance Formula, we get $(-t)^2+t^2+\left(\sqrt{2}t\right)^2=1,$ from which $t=\frac12.$

As $\vec{A} = \begin{pmatrix}1 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}$ and $\vec{B} = \begin{pmatrix}-1/2 \\ 1/2 \\ \sqrt2/2 \end{pmatrix},$ we obtain \[\cos\angle ACB=\frac{\vec{A}\bullet\vec{B}}{\left\lVert\vec{A}\right\rVert\left\lVert\vec{B}\right\rVert}=-\frac12\] by the dot product, so $\angle ACB=\boxed{\textbf{(C) }120}$ degrees.

~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 3 (Spherical Coordinates and Vectors)

This solution refers to the diagram in Solution 2.

In spherical coordinates $(\rho,\theta,\phi),$ note that $\rho,\theta,$ and $\phi$ represent the radial distance, the polar angle, and the azimuthal angle, respectively.

Without loss of generality, let $AC=BC=1.$ As shown in Solution 2, we place Earth in the $xyz$-plane with origin $C$ such that the positive $x$-axis runs through $A,$ the positive $y$-axis runs through $0^\circ$ latitude and $160^\circ \text{ W}$ longitude, and the positive $z$-axis runs through the North Pole.

In spherical coordinates, we have $A=(1,90^\circ,0^\circ)$ and $B=(1,45^\circ,135^\circ).$ Now, we express $\vec{A}$ and $\vec{B}$ in Cartesian coordinates: \[\vec{A} = \begin{pmatrix}\sin90^\circ \cos0^\circ \\ \sin90^\circ \sin0^\circ \\ \cos90^\circ \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}1 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \text{ and } \vec{B} = \begin{pmatrix}\sin45^\circ \cos135^\circ \\ \sin45^\circ \sin135^\circ \\ \cos45^\circ \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}-1/2 \\ 1/2 \\ \sqrt2/2 \end{pmatrix}.\] We continue with the last paragraph of Solution 2 to get the answer $\angle ACB=\boxed{\textbf{(C) }120}$ degrees.

~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 4 (It's not that deep)

This solution refers to the diagram in Solution 2. Let the radius of the sphere be $r$.

Form $\triangle{ABC}$ and notice that it is isosceles, with $AC=BC$. Draw the circle with radius equal to the sphere (great circle) with $0^{\circ}$ latitude.

Drop a perpendicular from B onto this circle. Let the foot of this perpendicular be called $D$. Since $\angle{DCA} = 135^{\circ}$, by Law of Cosines on $\triangle{ACD}$, $(AD)^2 = \frac{5}{2}r^2$. Since $BD$ is a perpendicular, we can form right triangle $\triangle{BDA}$. By Pythag, $AB=\sqrt{\frac{1}{2}r^2 + \frac{5}{2}r^2} = r\sqrt{3}$. Since $\triangle{ABC}$ has side lengths $r, r,$ and $r\sqrt{3}$, $\angle{BCA} = \boxed{\textbf{(C) }120^{\circ}}$.

-skibbysiggy

See Also

2018 AMC 12B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 22 		Followed by
Problem 24
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 12 Problems and Solutions

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png

Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=2018_AMC_12B_Problems/Problem_23&oldid=227983"