Difference between revisions of "2006 AIME A Problems/Problem 6"

(solution, box)
(Problem)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
[[Square]] <math> ABCD </math> has sides of length 1. Points <math> E </math> and <math> F </math> are on <math> \overline{BC} </math> and <math> \overline{CD}, </math> respectively, so that <math> \triangle AEF </math> is [[equilateral]]. A [[square]] with [[vertex]] <math> B </math> has sides that are [[parallel]] to those of <math> ABCD </math> and a vertex on <math> \overline{AE}. </math> The length of a side of this smaller square is <math> \displaystyle \frac{a-\sqrt{b}}{c}, </math> where <math> a, b, </math> and <math> c </math> are [[positive]] [[integer]]s and <math> b</math> is not divisible by the square of any [[prime]]. Find <math> a+b+c. </math>
+
Let <math> \mathcal{S} </math> be the set of real numbers that can be represented as repeating decimals of the form <math> 0.\overline{abc} </math> where <math> a, b, c </math> are distinct digits. Find the sum of the elements of <math> \mathcal{S}. </math>
  
 
== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==

Revision as of 13:10, 25 September 2007

Problem

Let $\mathcal{S}$ be the set of real numbers that can be represented as repeating decimals of the form $0.\overline{abc}$ where $a, b, c$ are distinct digits. Find the sum of the elements of $\mathcal{S}.$

Solution


An image is supposed to go here. You can help us out by creating one and editing it in. Thanks.


Call the vertices of the new square A', B', C', and D', in relation to the vertices of $ABCD$, and define $s$ to be one of the sides of that square. Since the sides are parallel, by corresponding angles and AA~ we know that triangles $AA'D'$ and $D'C'E$ are similar. Thus, the sides are proportional: $\frac{AA'}{A'D'} = \frac{D'C'}{C'E} \Longrightarrow \frac{1 - s}{s} = \frac{s}{1 - s - CE}$. Simplifying, we get that $s^2 = (1 - s)(1 - s - CE)$.

$\angle EAF$ is $60$ degrees, so $\angle BAE = \frac{90 - 60}{2} = 15$. Thus, $\cos 15 = \cos (45 - 30) = \frac{\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{2}}{4} = \frac{1}{AE}$, so $AE = \frac{4}{\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{2}} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}$. Since $\triangle AEF$ is equilateral, $EF = AE = \sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}$. $\triangle CEF$ is a $45-45-90 \triangle$, so $CE = \frac{AE}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{3} - 1$. Substituting back into the equation from the beginning, we get $s^2 = (1 - s)(2 - \sqrt{3} - s)$, so $(3 - \sqrt{3})s = 2 - \sqrt{3}$. Therefore, $s = \frac{2 - \sqrt{3}}{3 - \sqrt{3}} \cdot \frac{3 + \sqrt{3}}{3 + \sqrt{3}} = \frac{3 - \sqrt{3}}{6}$, and $\displaystyle a + b + c = 3 + 3 + 6 = 012$.

See also

2006 AIME II (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 5
Followed by
Problem 7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions