Difference between revisions of "2010 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 13"

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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
 
We note that <math>-1</math> <math>\le</math> <math>\sin x</math> <math>\le</math> <math>1</math> and <math>-1</math> <math>\le</math> <math>\cos x</math> <math>\le</math> <math>1</math>.  
 
We note that <math>-1</math> <math>\le</math> <math>\sin x</math> <math>\le</math> <math>1</math> and <math>-1</math> <math>\le</math> <math>\cos x</math> <math>\le</math> <math>1</math>.  
Therefore, there is no other way to satisfy this equation other than making both <math>\cos(2A-B)=1</math> and <math>\sin(A+B)=1</math>, since any other way would cause one of them to become greater than 1, which contradicts our previous statement.
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Therefore, there is no other way to satisfy this equation other than making both <math>\cos(2A-B)=1</math> and <math>\sin(A+B)=1</math>, since any other way would cause one of these values to become greater than 1, which contradicts our previous statement.
 
From this we can easily conclude that <math>2A-B=0^{\circ}</math> and <math>A+B=90^{\circ}</math> and solving this system gives us <math>A=30^{\circ}</math> and <math>B=60^{\circ}</math>. It is clear that <math>\triangle ABC</math> is a <math>30^{\circ}-60^{\circ}-90^{\circ}</math> triangle with <math>BC=2</math> <math>\Longrightarrow</math> <math>(C)</math>
 
From this we can easily conclude that <math>2A-B=0^{\circ}</math> and <math>A+B=90^{\circ}</math> and solving this system gives us <math>A=30^{\circ}</math> and <math>B=60^{\circ}</math>. It is clear that <math>\triangle ABC</math> is a <math>30^{\circ}-60^{\circ}-90^{\circ}</math> triangle with <math>BC=2</math> <math>\Longrightarrow</math> <math>(C)</math>

Revision as of 23:26, 6 April 2010

Problem

In $\triangle ABC$, $\cos(2A-B)+\sin(A+B)=2$ and $AB=4$. What is $BC$?

$\textbf{(A)}\ \sqrt{2} \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \sqrt{3} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 2 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 2\sqrt{2} \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 2\sqrt{3}$

Solution

We note that $-1$ $\le$ $\sin x$ $\le$ $1$ and $-1$ $\le$ $\cos x$ $\le$ $1$. Therefore, there is no other way to satisfy this equation other than making both $\cos(2A-B)=1$ and $\sin(A+B)=1$, since any other way would cause one of these values to become greater than 1, which contradicts our previous statement. From this we can easily conclude that $2A-B=0^{\circ}$ and $A+B=90^{\circ}$ and solving this system gives us $A=30^{\circ}$ and $B=60^{\circ}$. It is clear that $\triangle ABC$ is a $30^{\circ}-60^{\circ}-90^{\circ}$ triangle with $BC=2$ $\Longrightarrow$ $(C)$