Difference between revisions of "1983 AIME Problems/Problem 14"
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Doing routine algebra on the above equation, we find that <math>x^2=\frac{65}{2}</math>, so <math>PQ^2 = 4x^2 = \boxed{130}.</math> | Doing routine algebra on the above equation, we find that <math>x^2=\frac{65}{2}</math>, so <math>PQ^2 = 4x^2 = \boxed{130}.</math> | ||
− | === Solution 2 === | + | === Solution 2 (easiest and quickest)=== |
<asy> | <asy> | ||
size(0,5cm); | size(0,5cm); |
Revision as of 16:48, 28 August 2016
Problem
In the adjoining figure, two circles with radii and are drawn with their centers units apart. At , one of the points of intersection, a line is drawn in such a way that the chords and have equal length. Find the square of the length of .
Contents
Solution
Solution 1
First, notice that if we reflect over we get . Since we know that is on circle and is on circle , we can reflect circle over to get another circle (centered at a new point with radius ) that intersects circle at . The rest is just finding lengths:
Since is the midpoint of segment , is a median of triangle . Because we know that , , and , we can find the third side of the triangle using Stewart's Theorem or similar approaches. We get . So now we have a kite with , , and , and all we need is the length of the other diagonal . The easiest way it can be found is with the Pythagorean Theorem. Let be the length of . Then
Doing routine algebra on the above equation, we find that , so
Solution 2 (easiest and quickest)
Draw additional lines as indicated. Note that since triangles and are isosceles, the altitudes are also bisectors, so let .
Since triangles and are similar. If we let , we have .
Applying the Pythagorean Theorem on triangle , we have . Similarly, for triangle , we have .
Subtracting, .
Solution 3
Let . Angles , , and must add up to . By the Law of Cosines, . Also, angles and equal and . So we have
Taking the of both sides and simplifying using the cosine addition identity gives .
See Also
1983 AIME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 13 |
Followed by Problem 15 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 | ||
All AIME Problems and Solutions |