Difference between revisions of "2013 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 19"

(Solution 2)
(Solution 1)
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Therefore, the answer is '''D) 61.'''
 
Therefore, the answer is '''D) 61.'''
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===Solution 2===
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Let <math>BX = q</math>, <math>CX = p</math>, and <math>AC</math> meet the circle at <math>Y</math> and <math>Z</math>, with <math>Y</math> on <math>AC</math>.  Then <math>AZ = AY = 86</math>.  Using the Power of a Point, we get that <math>p(p+q) = 11(183) = 11 * 3 * 61</math>.  We know that <math>p+q>p</math>, and that <math>p>13</math> by the triangle inequality on <math>\triangle ACX</math>.  Thus, we get that <math>BC = p+q = \boxed{\textbf{(D) }61}</math>
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===Solution 3===
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Let <math>x</math> represent <math>CX</math>, and let <math>y</math> represent <math>BX</math>. Since the circle goes through <math>B</math> and <math>X</math>, <math>AB = AX = 86</math>.
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Then by Stewart's Theorem,
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<math>xy(x+y) + 86^2 (x+y) = 97^2 y + 86^2 x.</math>
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<math>x^2 y + xy^2 + 86^2 x + 86^2 y = 97^2 y + 86^2 x</math>
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<math>x^2 + xy + 86^2 = 97^2</math>
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(Since <math>y</math> cannot be equal to <math>0</math>, dividing both sides of the equation by <math>y</math> is allowed.)
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<math>x(x+y) = (97+86)(97-86)</math>
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<math>x(x+y) = 2013</math>
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The prime factors of <math>2013</math> are <math>3</math>, <math>11</math>, and <math>61</math>. Obviously, <math>x < x+y</math>. In addition, by the Triangle Inequality, <math>BC < AB + AC</math>, so <math>x+y < 183</math>. Therefore, <math>x</math> must equal <math>33</math>, and <math>x+y</math> must equal <math> \boxed{\textbf{(D) }61}</math>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 20:52, 21 January 2014

Problem

In $\bigtriangleup ABC$, $AB = 86$, and $AC = 97$. A circle with center $A$ and radius $AB$ intersects $\overline{BC}$ at points $B$ and $X$. Moreover $\overline{BX}$ and $\overline{CX}$ have integer lengths. What is $BC$?


$\textbf{(A)} \ 11 \qquad  \textbf{(B)} \ 28 \qquad  \textbf{(C)} \ 33 \qquad  \textbf{(D)} \ 61 \qquad  \textbf{(E)} \ 72$

Solution

Solution 1

Let $CX=x, BX=y$. Let the circle intersect $AC$ at $D$ and the diameter including $AD$ intersect the circle again at $E$. Use power of a point on point C to the circle centered at A.

So $CX*CB=CD*CE$ $x(x+y)=(97-86)(97+86)$ $x(x+y)=3*11*61$.

Obviously $x+y>x$ so we have three solution pairs for $(x,x+y)=(1,2013),(3,671),(11,183),(33,61)$. By the Triangle Inequality, only$x+y=61$ yields a possible length of $BX+CX=BC$.

Therefore, the answer is D) 61.

Solution 2

Let $BX = q$, $CX = p$, and $AC$ meet the circle at $Y$ and $Z$, with $Y$ on $AC$. Then $AZ = AY = 86$. Using the Power of a Point, we get that $p(p+q) = 11(183) = 11 * 3 * 61$. We know that $p+q>p$, and that $p>13$ by the triangle inequality on $\triangle ACX$. Thus, we get that $BC = p+q = \boxed{\textbf{(D) }61}$

Solution 3

Let $x$ represent $CX$, and let $y$ represent $BX$. Since the circle goes through $B$ and $X$, $AB = AX = 86$. Then by Stewart's Theorem,

$xy(x+y) + 86^2 (x+y) = 97^2 y + 86^2 x.$

$x^2 y + xy^2 + 86^2 x + 86^2 y = 97^2 y + 86^2 x$

$x^2 + xy + 86^2 = 97^2$

(Since $y$ cannot be equal to $0$, dividing both sides of the equation by $y$ is allowed.)

$x(x+y) = (97+86)(97-86)$

$x(x+y) = 2013$

The prime factors of $2013$ are $3$, $11$, and $61$. Obviously, $x < x+y$. In addition, by the Triangle Inequality, $BC < AB + AC$, so $x+y < 183$. Therefore, $x$ must equal $33$, and $x+y$ must equal $\boxed{\textbf{(D) }61}$

See also

2013 AMC 12A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 18
Followed by
Problem 20
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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