Difference between revisions of "2020 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 12"

(Solution 5 (Medians, Height, Pythagorean Theorem, Lots of symmetry, A little extra work))
(Solution 5 (Medians, Height, Pythagorean Theorem, Lots of symmetry, A little extra work))
Line 90: Line 90:
  
 
==Solution 5 (Medians, Height, Pythagorean Theorem, Lots of symmetry, A little extra work)==
 
==Solution 5 (Medians, Height, Pythagorean Theorem, Lots of symmetry, A little extra work)==
<asy>draw((-4,0)--(4,0)--(0,12)--cycle); draw((-2,6)--(4,0)); draw((2,6)--(-4,0)); draw((0,12)--(0,0)); draw((-2, 6)--(2, 6)); label("K", (0, 6), NE); label("M", (-4,0), W); label("C", (4,0), E); label("A", (0, 12), N); label("V", (2, 6), NE); label("U", (-2, 6), NW); label("P", (0.5, 4), E); label("B", (0, 0), S); <asy>
+
<asy>
 +
draw((-4,0)--(4,0)--(0,12)--cycle);
 +
draw((-2,6)--(4,0));
 +
draw((2,6)--(-4,0));
 +
draw((0,12)--(0,0));
 +
label("M", (-4,0), W);
 +
label("C", (4,0), E);
 +
label("A", (0, 12), N);
 +
label("V", (2, 6), NE);
 +
label("U", (-2, 6), NW);
 +
label("P", (0.5, 4), E);
 +
label("B", (0, 0), S);
 +
</asy>
  
 
It is well known that medians divide each other into segments of <math>2:1</math> ratio. From this, we have <math>PC=MP=8</math> and <math>UP=UV=4</math>. From right triangle <math>\triangle{MPC}</math>, <math>MC^2=MP^2+MC^2=8^2+8^2=128</math>, which implies <math>MC=\sqrt{128}=8\sqrt{2}</math>. Then the area of <math>\triangle{AMC}</math> is <math>\dfrac{8\sqrt{2} \cdot AB}{2}</math>, so our goal is to find <math>AB</math>.
 
It is well known that medians divide each other into segments of <math>2:1</math> ratio. From this, we have <math>PC=MP=8</math> and <math>UP=UV=4</math>. From right triangle <math>\triangle{MPC}</math>, <math>MC^2=MP^2+MC^2=8^2+8^2=128</math>, which implies <math>MC=\sqrt{128}=8\sqrt{2}</math>. Then the area of <math>\triangle{AMC}</math> is <math>\dfrac{8\sqrt{2} \cdot AB}{2}</math>, so our goal is to find <math>AB</math>.
Line 96: Line 108:
 
Note that <math>AB=AP+BP</math>. Since <math>\triangle{AMC}</math> is isosceles, by symmetry <math>MB=MC</math>, because <math>AB</math> is the altitude. Knowing this, <math>BP</math> is the median to hypotenuse <math>MC</math> of triangle <math>\triangle{MPC}</math>, which means <math>2BP=MC</math>. Since <math>MC=8\sqrt{2}</math>, <math>BP=4\sqrt{2}</math>.  
 
Note that <math>AB=AP+BP</math>. Since <math>\triangle{AMC}</math> is isosceles, by symmetry <math>MB=MC</math>, because <math>AB</math> is the altitude. Knowing this, <math>BP</math> is the median to hypotenuse <math>MC</math> of triangle <math>\triangle{MPC}</math>, which means <math>2BP=MC</math>. Since <math>MC=8\sqrt{2}</math>, <math>BP=4\sqrt{2}</math>.  
  
Now we find <math>AP</math>. Note <math>AP=AK+KP</math>. From right triangle <math>\triangle{AVP}</math>, we have <math>UV=4\sqrt{2}</math> by the Pythagorean Theorem. By symmetry, <math>PK</math> is the median to hypotenuse <math>UV</math>, which means <math>2PK=UV</math>. This trivially means <math>PK=2\sqrt{2}</math>.  
+
Now we find <math>AP</math>. Note <math>AP=AK+KP</math>. (K is the intersection of the diagonals of quadrilateral <math>AUPV</math>). From right triangle <math>\triangle{AVP}</math>, we have <math>UV=4\sqrt{2}</math> by the Pythagorean Theorem. By symmetry, <math>PK</math> is the median to hypotenuse <math>UV</math>, which means <math>2PK=UV</math>. This trivially means <math>PK=2\sqrt{2}</math>.  
  
 
Notice quadrilateral <math>AUPV</math> is a kite, which means <math>\triangle{AKU}</math> is right(the diagonals are perpendicular). By the Pythagorean Theorem, <math>AK^2=AU^2-UK^2</math>. Since <math>CU</math> is a median, <math>AU=UM</math>. From right triangle <math>\triangle{UPM}</math>, <math>UM^2=UP^2+MP^2=4^2+8^2=80</math>, which means <math>UM=4\sqrt{5}</math>, and thus <math>AU=4\sqrt{5}</math>. From our previous equation <math>AK^2=AU^2-UK^2</math>, we thus have <cmath>AK^2=80-UK^2=80-\left(\dfrac{UV}{2}\right)=80-8=72</cmath>, so <math>AK=6\sqrt{2}</math>. We also know <math>PK=2\sqrt{2}</math>, so <math>AP=AK+PK=8\sqrt{2}</math>.  
 
Notice quadrilateral <math>AUPV</math> is a kite, which means <math>\triangle{AKU}</math> is right(the diagonals are perpendicular). By the Pythagorean Theorem, <math>AK^2=AU^2-UK^2</math>. Since <math>CU</math> is a median, <math>AU=UM</math>. From right triangle <math>\triangle{UPM}</math>, <math>UM^2=UP^2+MP^2=4^2+8^2=80</math>, which means <math>UM=4\sqrt{5}</math>, and thus <math>AU=4\sqrt{5}</math>. From our previous equation <math>AK^2=AU^2-UK^2</math>, we thus have <cmath>AK^2=80-UK^2=80-\left(\dfrac{UV}{2}\right)=80-8=72</cmath>, so <math>AK=6\sqrt{2}</math>. We also know <math>PK=2\sqrt{2}</math>, so <math>AP=AK+PK=8\sqrt{2}</math>.  

Revision as of 12:19, 1 February 2020

Problem

Triangle $AMC$ is isoceles with $AM = AC$. Medians $\overline{MV}$ and $\overline{CU}$ are perpendicular to each other, and $MV=CU=12$. What is the area of $\triangle AMC?$

$\textbf{(A) } 48 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 72 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 96 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 144 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 192$

Solution 1

Since quadrilateral $UVCM$ has perpendicular diagonals, its area can be found as half of the product of the length of the diagonals. Also note that $\triangle AUV$ has $\frac 14$ the area of triangle $AMC$ by similarity, so $[UVCM]=\frac 34\cdot [AMC].$ Thus, \[\frac 12 \cdot 12\cdot 12=\frac 34 \cdot [AMC]\] \[72=\frac 34\cdot [AMC]\] \[[AMC]=96\rightarrow \boxed{\textbf{(C)}}.\]

Solution 2 (Trapezoid)

[asy] draw((-4,0)--(4,0)--(0,12)--cycle); draw((-2,6)--(4,0)); draw((2,6)--(-4,0)); draw((-2,6)--(2,6)); label("M", (-4,0), W); label("C", (4,0), E); label("A", (0, 12), N); label("V", (2, 6), NE); label("U", (-2, 6), NW); label("P", (0, 3.6), S); [/asy]

We know that $\triangle AUV \sim \triangle AMC$, and since the ratios of its sides are $\frac{1}{2}$, the ratio of of their areas is $(\frac{1}{2})^2=\frac{1}{4}$.

If $\triangle AUV$ is $\frac{1}{4}$ the area of $\triangle AMC$, then trapezoid $MUVC$ is $\frac{3}{4}$ the area of $\triangle AMC$.

Let's call the intersection of $\overline{UC}$ and $\overline{MV}$ $P$. Let $\overline{UP}=x$. Then $\overline{PC}=12-x$. Since $\overline{UC}  \perp \overline{MV}$, $\overline{UP}$ and $\overline{CP}$ are heights of triangles $\triangle MUV$ and $\triangle MCV$, respectively. Both of these triangles have base $12$.

Area of $\triangle MUV = \frac{x\cdot12}{2}=6x$

Area of $\triangle MCV = \frac{(12-x)\cdot12}{2}=72-6x$

Adding these two gives us the area of trapezoid $MUVC$, which is $6x+(72-6x)=72$.

This is $\frac{3}{4}$ of the triangle, so the area of the triangle is $\frac{4}{3}\cdot{72}=\boxed{\textbf{(C) } 96}$ ~quacker88, diagram by programjames1

Solution 3 (Medians)

Draw median $\overline{AB}$. [asy] draw((-4,0)--(4,0)--(0,12)--cycle); draw((-2,6)--(4,0)); draw((2,6)--(-4,0)); draw((0,12)--(0,0)); label("M", (-4,0), W); label("C", (4,0), E); label("A", (0, 12), N); label("V", (2, 6), NE); label("U", (-2, 6), NW); label("P", (0.5, 4), E); label("B", (0, 0), S); [/asy]

Since we know that all medians of a triangle intersect at the incenter, we know that $\overline{AB}$ passes through point $P$. We also know that medians of a triangle divide each other into segments of ratio $2:1$. Knowing this, we can see that $\overline{PC}:\overline{UP}=2:1$, and since the two segments sum to $12$, $\overline{PC}$ and $\overline{UP}$ are $8$ and $4$, respectively.

Finally knowing that the medians divide the triangle into $6$ sections of equal area, finding the area of $\triangle PUM$ is enough. $\overline{PC} = \overline{MP} = 8$.

The area of $\triangle PUM = \frac{4\cdot8}{2}=16$. Multiplying this by $6$ gives us $6\cdot16=\boxed{\textbf{(C) }96}$

~quacker88

Solution 4 (Triangles)

[asy] draw((-4,0)--(4,0)--(0,12)--cycle); draw((-2,6)--(4,0)); draw((2,6)--(-4,0)); draw((-2,6)--(2,6)); label("M", (-4,0), W); label("C", (4,0), E); label("A", (0, 12), N); label("V", (2, 6), NE); label("U", (-2, 6), NW); label("P", (0, 3.6), S); [/asy] We know that $AU = UM$, $AV = VC$, so $UV = \frac{1}{2} MC$.

As $\angle UPM = \angle VPC = 90$, we can see that $\triangle UPM \cong \triangle VPC$ and $\triangle UVP \sim \triangle MPC$ with a side ratio of $1 : 2$.

So $UP = VP = 4$, $MP = PC = 8$.

With that, we can see that $S\triangle UPM = 16$, and the area of trapezoid $MUVC$ is 72.

As said in solution 1, $S\triangle AMC = 72  /  \frac{3}{4} = \boxed{\textbf{(C) } 96}$.

-QuadraticFunctions, solution 1 by ???

Solution 5 (Medians, Height, Pythagorean Theorem, Lots of symmetry, A little extra work)

[asy] draw((-4,0)--(4,0)--(0,12)--cycle); draw((-2,6)--(4,0)); draw((2,6)--(-4,0)); draw((0,12)--(0,0)); label("M", (-4,0), W); label("C", (4,0), E); label("A", (0, 12), N); label("V", (2, 6), NE); label("U", (-2, 6), NW); label("P", (0.5, 4), E); label("B", (0, 0), S); [/asy]

It is well known that medians divide each other into segments of $2:1$ ratio. From this, we have $PC=MP=8$ and $UP=UV=4$. From right triangle $\triangle{MPC}$, $MC^2=MP^2+MC^2=8^2+8^2=128$, which implies $MC=\sqrt{128}=8\sqrt{2}$. Then the area of $\triangle{AMC}$ is $\dfrac{8\sqrt{2} \cdot AB}{2}$, so our goal is to find $AB$.

Note that $AB=AP+BP$. Since $\triangle{AMC}$ is isosceles, by symmetry $MB=MC$, because $AB$ is the altitude. Knowing this, $BP$ is the median to hypotenuse $MC$ of triangle $\triangle{MPC}$, which means $2BP=MC$. Since $MC=8\sqrt{2}$, $BP=4\sqrt{2}$.

Now we find $AP$. Note $AP=AK+KP$. (K is the intersection of the diagonals of quadrilateral $AUPV$). From right triangle $\triangle{AVP}$, we have $UV=4\sqrt{2}$ by the Pythagorean Theorem. By symmetry, $PK$ is the median to hypotenuse $UV$, which means $2PK=UV$. This trivially means $PK=2\sqrt{2}$.

Notice quadrilateral $AUPV$ is a kite, which means $\triangle{AKU}$ is right(the diagonals are perpendicular). By the Pythagorean Theorem, $AK^2=AU^2-UK^2$. Since $CU$ is a median, $AU=UM$. From right triangle $\triangle{UPM}$, $UM^2=UP^2+MP^2=4^2+8^2=80$, which means $UM=4\sqrt{5}$, and thus $AU=4\sqrt{5}$. From our previous equation $AK^2=AU^2-UK^2$, we thus have \[AK^2=80-UK^2=80-\left(\dfrac{UV}{2}\right)=80-8=72\], so $AK=6\sqrt{2}$. We also know $PK=2\sqrt{2}$, so $AP=AK+PK=8\sqrt{2}$.

Recall that $AB=AP+BP=8\sqrt{2}+4\sqrt{2}=12\sqrt{2}$. By the area formula, \[[ABC]=\dfrac{AB \cdot MC}{2}=\dfrac{8\sqrt{2} \cdot 12\sqrt{2}}{2}=\dfrac{96 \cdot 2}{2}=\boxed{96}\].

Video Solution

https://youtu.be/ZGwAasE32Y4

~IceMatrix

See Also

2020 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 11
Followed by
Problem 13
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. AMC logo.png