Difference between revisions of "2018 AIME I Problems/Problem 4"

(Solution 1)
(Solution 1)
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We draw the altitude from <math>B</math> to <math>\overline{AC}</math> to get point <math>F</math>. We notice that the triangle's height from <math>A</math> to <math>\overline{BC}</math> is 8 because it is a <math>3-4-5</math> Right Triangle. To find the length of <math>\overline{BF}</math>, we let <math>h</math> be the height and set up an equation by finding two ways to express the area. The equation is <math>(8)(12)=(10)(h)</math>, which leaves us with <math>h=9.6</math>. We then solve for the length <math>\overline{AF}</math>, which is done through pythagorean theorm and get <math>\overline{AB}</math> = <math>2.8</math>. We can now see that <math>\triangle ABF</math> is a <math>7-24-25</math> Right Triangle.
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We draw the altitude from <math>B</math> to <math>\overline{AC}</math> to get point <math>F</math>. We notice that the triangle's height from <math>A</math> to <math>\overline{BC}</math> is 8 because it is a <math>3-4-5</math> Right Triangle. To find the length of <math>\overline{BF}</math>, we let <math>h</math> be the height and set up an equation by finding two ways to express the area. The equation is <math>(8)(12)=(10)(h)</math>, which leaves us with <math>h=9.6</math>. We then solve for the length <math>\overline{AF}</math>, which is done through pythagorean theorm and get <math>\overline{AB}</math> = <math>2.8</math>. We can now see that <math>\triangle ABF</math> is a <math>7-24-25</math> Right Triangle. Using this information, we set <math>\overline{AD}</math> to <math>x</math> and <math>\overline{AG}</math> as <math>5-</math><math>\tfrac{x}{2}</math>.

Revision as of 18:28, 7 March 2018

Problem 4

In $\triangle ABC, AB = AC = 10$ and $BC = 12$. Point $D$ lies strictly between $A$ and $B$ on $\overline{AB}$ and point $E$ lies strictly between $A$ and $C$ on $\overline{AC}$) so that $AD = DE = EC$. Then $AD$ can be expressed in the form $\dfrac{p}{q}$, where $p$ and $q$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $p+q$.

Solution 1

[asy] import cse5; unitsize(10mm); pathpen=black; dotfactor=3;  pair B = (0,0), A = (6,8), C = (12,0), D = (2.154,2.872), E = (8.153, 5.128), F=(7.68,5.76), G=(7.077,6.564), H=(5.6,4.3), I=(4.5,6), J=(10,2.66); pair[] dotted = {A,B,C,D,E,F,G};  D(A--B); D(C--B); D(A--C); D(D--E); pathpen=dashed; D(B--F); D(D--G);  dot(dotted); label("$A$",A,N); label("$B$",B,SW); label("$C$",C,SE); label("$D$",D,NW); label("$E$",E,NE); label("$F$",F,NE); label("$G$",G,NE); label("$x$",H,NW); label("$x$",I,NW); label("$x$",J,NE); [/asy]

We draw the altitude from $B$ to $\overline{AC}$ to get point $F$. We notice that the triangle's height from $A$ to $\overline{BC}$ is 8 because it is a $3-4-5$ Right Triangle. To find the length of $\overline{BF}$, we let $h$ be the height and set up an equation by finding two ways to express the area. The equation is $(8)(12)=(10)(h)$, which leaves us with $h=9.6$. We then solve for the length $\overline{AF}$, which is done through pythagorean theorm and get $\overline{AB}$ = $2.8$. We can now see that $\triangle ABF$ is a $7-24-25$ Right Triangle. Using this information, we set $\overline{AD}$ to $x$ and $\overline{AG}$ as $5-$$\tfrac{x}{2}$.