2021 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 24

Problem

The interior of a quadrilateral is bounded by the graphs of $(x+ay)^2 = 4a^2$ and $(ax-y)^2 = a^2$ , where $a$ a positive real number. What is the area of this region in terms of $a$ , valid for all $a > 0$ ?

$\textbf{(A)} ~\frac{8a^2}{(a+1)^2}\qquad\textbf{(B)} ~\frac{4a}{a+1}\qquad\textbf{(C)} ~\frac{8a}{a+1}\qquad\textbf{(D)} ~\frac{8a^2}{a^2+1}\qquad\textbf{(E)} ~\frac{8a}{a^2+1}$

Diagram

Graph in Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/satawguqsc

~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 1

The conditions $(x+ay)^2 = 4a^2$ and $(ax-y)^2 = a^2$ give $|x+ay| = |2a|$ and $|ax-y| = |a|$ or $x+ay = \pm 2a$ and $ax-y = \pm a$ . The slopes here are perpendicular, so the quadrilateral is a rectangle. Plug in $a=1$ and graph it. We quickly see that the area is $2\sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt{2} = 4$ , so the answer can't be $A$ or $B$ by testing the values they give (test it!). Now plug in $a=2$ . We see using a ruler that the sides of the rectangle are about $\frac74$ and $\frac72$ . So the area is about $\frac{49}8 = 6.125$ . Testing $C$ we get $\frac{16}3$ which is clearly less than $6$ , so it is out. Testing $D$ we get $\frac{32}5$ which is near our answer, so we leave it. Testing $E$ we get $\frac{16}5$ , way less than $6$ , so it is out. So, the only plausible answer is $\boxed{D}$ ~firebolt360

Solution 2 (Casework: Rectangle)

The cases for $(x+ay)^2 = 4a^2$ are $x+ay = \pm2a.$ We rearrange each case and construct the table below: $\begin{array}{c||c|c|c|c} & & & & \\ [-2.5ex] \textbf{Case} & \textbf{Line's Equation} & \boldsymbol{x}\textbf{-intercept} & \boldsymbol{y}\textbf{-intercept} & \textbf{Slope} \\ [0.5ex] \hline & & & & \\ [-1.5ex] 1 & x+ay-2a=0 & 2a & 2 & -\frac1a \\ [2ex] 2 & x+ay+2a=0 & -2a & -2 & -\frac1a \\ [0.75ex] \end{array}$ The cases for $(ax-y)^2 = a^2$ are $ax-y=\pm a.$ We rearrange each case and construct the table below: $\begin{array}{c||c|c|c|c} & & & & \\ [-2.5ex] \textbf{Case} & \textbf{Line's Equation} & \boldsymbol{x}\textbf{-intercept} & \boldsymbol{y}\textbf{-intercept} & \textbf{Slope} \\ [0.5ex] \hline & & & & \\ [-1.5ex] 1* & ax-y-a=0 & 1 & -a & a \\ [2ex] 2* & ax-y+a=0 & -1 & a & a \\ [0.75ex] \end{array}$ Plugging $a=2$ into the choices gives

$\textbf{(A)} ~\frac{32}{9}\qquad\textbf{(B)} ~\frac{8}{3}\qquad\textbf{(C)} ~\frac{16}{3}\qquad\textbf{(D)} ~\frac{32}{5}\qquad\textbf{(E)} ~\frac{16}{5}$

Plugging $a=2$ into the four above equations and solving systems of equations for intersecting lines [ $(1)$ and $(1'), (1)$ and $(2'), (2)$ and $(1'), (2)$ and $(2')$ ], we get the respective solutions $(x,y)=\left(\frac 85, \frac 65\right), (0,2), (0,-2), \left(-\frac 85, -\frac 65\right).$ Two solutions follow from here:

Solution 2.1 (Rectangle)

Since the slopes of the intersecting lines (from the four above equations) are negative reciprocals, the quadrilateral is a rectangle. Finally, by the Distance Formula, the length and width of the rectangle are $\frac{8\sqrt5}{5}$ and $\frac{4\sqrt5}{5},$ respectively. The area we seek is $\frac{8\sqrt5}{5}\cdot\frac{4\sqrt5}{5}=\frac{32}{5}.$

Therefore, the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(D)} ~\frac{8a^2}{a^2+1}}.$

~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 2.2 (Shoelace Formula)

Even if we do not recognize that the solutions form the vertices of a rectangle, we can apply the Shoelace Formula to the consecutive vertices $\begin{align*} (x_1,y_1) &= \left(\frac 85, \frac 65\right), \\ (x_2,y_2) &= (0,2), \\ (x_3,y_3) &= \left(-\frac 85, -\frac 65\right), \\ (x_4,y_4) &= (0,-2), \end{align*}$ from which $\begin{align*} A &= \frac{1}{2} \left|(x_1y_2 + x_2y_3 + x_3y_4 + x_4y_1) - (y_1x_2 + y_2x_3 + y_3x_4 + y_4x_1)\right| \\ &= \frac{1}{2} \left|\left[\frac85\cdot2+0\cdot\left(-\frac65\right)+\left(-\frac{8}{5}\right)\cdot(-2)+0\cdot\frac65\right] - \left[\frac65\cdot0+2\cdot\left(-\frac85\right)+\left(-\frac65\right)\cdot0+(-2)\cdot\frac85\right]\right| \\ &= \frac{1}{2} \left|\left[\frac{16}{5}+\frac{16}{5}\right]-\left[-\frac{16}{5}-\frac{16}{5}\right]\right| \\ &= \frac{1}{2} \left|\frac{64}{5}\right| \\ &= \frac{32}{5}. \end{align*}$ Therefore, the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(D)} ~\frac{8a^2}{a^2+1}}.$

Suggested Reading for the Shoelace Formula: https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/Shoelace_Theorem

~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 3 (Geometry)

Similar to Solution 2, we will use the equations of the four cases:

(1) $x+ay=2a.$ This is a line with $x$ -intercept $2a$ , $y$ -intercept $2$ , and slope $-\frac 1a.$

(2) $x+ay=-2a.$ This is a line with $x$ -intercept $-2a$ , $y$ -intercept $-2$ , and slope $-\frac 1a.$

(3)* $ax-y=a.$ This is a line with $x$ -intercept $1$ , $y$ -intercept $-a$ , and slope $a.$

(4)* $ax-y=-a.$ This is a line with $x$ -intercept $-1$ , $y$ -intercept $a$ , and slope $a.$

The area of the rectangle created by the four equations can be written as $2a\cdot \cos A\cdot4\sin A$

= $8a\cos A \cdot \sin A$

= $8a\cdot~\frac{1}{\sqrt{a^2+1}}\cdot~\frac{a}{\sqrt{a^2+1}}$

= $\boxed{\textbf{(D)} ~\frac{8a^2}{a^2+1}}.$

(Note: $\tan A=$ slope $a$ )

-fnothing4994

Solution 4 (bruh moment solution)

Trying $a = 1$ narrows down the choices to options $\textbf{(C)}$ , $\textbf{(D)}$ and $\textbf{(E)}$ . Trying $a = 2$ and $a = 3$ eliminates $\textbf{(C)}$ and $\textbf{(E)}$ , to obtain $\boxed{\textbf{(D)} ~\frac{8a^2}{a^2+1}}.$ as our answer. -¢

Video Solution by OmegaLearn (System of Equations and Shoelace Formula)

https://youtu.be/2iohPYkZpkQ

~ pi_is_3.14

2021 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 23	Followed by Problem 25
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
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2021 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 24

Contents

Problem

Diagram

Solution 1

Solution 2 (Casework: Rectangle)

Solution 2.1 (Rectangle)

Solution 2.2 (Shoelace Formula)

Solution 3 (Geometry)

Solution 4 (bruh moment solution)

Video Solution by OmegaLearn (System of Equations and Shoelace Formula)

See also