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

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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
Numbers of the form <math>0.\overline{abc}</math> can be written as <math>\frac{abc}{999}</math>. There are <math>10\times9\times8=720</math> such numbers. Each digit will appear in each place value <math>\frac{720}{10}=72</math> times, and the sum of the digits, 0 through 9, is 45. So the sum of all the numbers is <math>\frac{45\times72\times111}{999}=360</math>.
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Call the vertices of the new square A', B', C', and D', in relation to the vertices of <math>ABCD</math>, and define <math>s</math> to be one of the sides of that square. Since the sides are [[parallel]], by [[corresponding angles]] and AA~ we know that triangles <math>AA'D'</math> and <math>D'C'E</math> are similar. Thus, the sides are proportional: <math>\frac{AA'}{A'D'} = \frac{D'C'}{C'E} \Longrightarrow \frac{1 - s}{s} = \frac{s}{1 - s - CE}</math>. Simplifying, we get that <math>s^2 = (1 - s)(1 - s - CE)</math>.
  
 
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<math>\angle EAF</math> is <math>60</math> degrees, so <math>\angle BAE = \frac{90 - 60}{2} = 15</math>. Thus, <math>\cos 15 = \cos (45 - 30) = \frac{\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{2}}{4} = \frac{1}{AE}</math>, so <math>AE = \frac{4}{\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{2}} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}</math>. Since <math>\triangle AEF</math> is [[equilateral]], <math>EF = AE = \sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}</math>. <math>\triangle CEF</math> is a <math>45-45-90 \triangle</math>, so <math>CE = \frac{AE}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{3} - 1</math>. Substituting back into the equation from the beginning, we get <math>s^2 = (1 - s)(2 - \sqrt{3} - s)</math>, so <math>(3 - \sqrt{3})s = 2 - \sqrt{3}</math>. Therefore, <math>s = \frac{2 - \sqrt{3}}{3 - \sqrt{3}} \cdot \frac{3 + \sqrt{3}}{3 + \sqrt{3}} = \frac{3 - \sqrt{3}}{6}</math>, and <math>a + b + c = 3 + 3 + 6 = 012</math>.
Alternatively, for every number, <math>0.\overline{abc}</math>, there will be exactly one other number, such that when they are added together, the sum is <math>0.\overline{999}</math>, or, more precisely, 1. As an example, <math>.\overline{123}+.\overline{876}=.\overline{999} \Longrightarrow 1</math>.
 
 
 
Thus, the solution can be determined by dividing the total number of [[permutation]]s by 2. The answer is <math>\frac{10 \cdot 9 \cdot 8}{2} = \frac{720}{2}= 360</math>.
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 13:10, 25 September 2007

Problem

Square $ABCD$ has sides of length 1. Points $E$ and $F$ are on $\overline{BC}$ and $\overline{CD},$ respectively, so that $\triangle AEF$ is equilateral. A square with vertex $B$ has sides that are parallel to those of $ABCD$ and a vertex on $\overline{AE}.$ The length of a side of this smaller square is $\frac{a-\sqrt{b}}{c},$ where $a, b,$ and $c$ are positive integers and $b$ is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find $a+b+c.$

Solution


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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 $a + b + c = 3 + 3 + 6 = 012$.

See also

2006 AIME I (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 5
Followed by
Problem 7
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All AIME Problems and Solutions