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 "2015 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 19"

(→‎Solution)
(→‎Solution)
Line 6: Line 6:
  
 
==Solution==
 
==Solution==
−
 
−
Let <math>D</math> and <math>E</math> be the points at which the angle trisectors intersect <math>AB</math>.
 
  
 
<math>\triangle ADC</math> can be split into a <math>45-45-90</math> right triangle and a <math>30-60-90</math> right triangle by dropping a perpendicular from <math>D</math> to side <math>AC</math>. Let <math>F</math> be where that perpendicular intersects <math>AC</math>.
 
<math>\triangle ADC</math> can be split into a <math>45-45-90</math> right triangle and a <math>30-60-90</math> right triangle by dropping a perpendicular from <math>D</math> to side <math>AC</math>. Let <math>F</math> be where that perpendicular intersects <math>AC</math>.

Revision as of 18:48, 4 February 2015

Problem

The isosceles right triangle $ABC$ has right angle at $C$ and area $12.5$. The rays trisecting $\angle ACB$ intersect $AB$ at $D$ and $E$. What is the area of $\bigtriangleup CDE$?

$\textbf{(A) }\dfrac{5\sqrt{2}}{3}\qquad\textbf{(B) }\dfrac{50\sqrt{3}-75}{4}\qquad\textbf{(C) }\dfrac{15\sqrt{3}}{8}\qquad\textbf{(D) }\dfrac{50-25\sqrt{3}}{2}\qquad\textbf{(E) }\dfrac{25}{6}$

Solution

$\triangle ADC$ can be split into a $45-45-90$ right triangle and a $30-60-90$ right triangle by dropping a perpendicular from $D$ to side $AC$. Let $F$ be where that perpendicular intersects $AC$.

Because the side lengths of a $45-45-90$ right triangle are in ratio $a:a:2a$, $DF = AF$.

Because the side lengths of a $30-60-90$ right triangle are in ratio $a:a\sqrt{3}:2a$ and $AF$ + $FC = 5$, $DF = \frac{5 - AF}{\sqrt{3}}$.

Setting the two equations for $DF$ equal together, $AF = \frac{5 - AF}{\sqrt{3}}$.

Solving gives $AF = DF = \frac{5\sqrt{3} - 5}{2}$.

The area of $\triangle ADC = \frac12 \cdot DF \cdot AC = \frac{25\sqrt{3} - 25}{2}$.

$\triangle ADC$ is congruent to $\triangle BEC$, so their areas are equal.

A triangle's area can be written as the sum of the figures that make it up, so $[ABC] = [ADC] + [BEC] + [CDE]$.

$\frac{25}{2} = \frac{25\sqrt{3} - 25}{2} + \frac{25\sqrt{3} - 25}{2} + [CDE]$.

Solving gives $[CDE] = \frac{50 - 25\sqrt{3}}{2}$, so the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(D) }\frac{50 - 25\sqrt{3}}{2}}$.

Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=2015_AMC_10A_Problems/Problem_19&oldid=67383"