Art of Problem Solving
AoPS Online
Math texts, online classes, and more
for students in grades 5-12.
Visit AoPS Online ‚
Books for Grades 5-12 Online Courses
Beast Academy
Engaging math books and online learning
for students ages 6-13.
Visit Beast Academy ‚
Books for Ages 6-13 Beast Academy Online
AoPS Academy
Small live classes for advanced math
and language arts learners in grades 2-12.
Visit AoPS Academy ‚
Find a Physical Campus Visit the Virtual Campus

2024 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 23

Revision as of 11:10, 14 November 2024 by Cyantist (talk | contribs) (→‎Solution 2 (Less computation))

Problem

A right pyramid has regular octagon $ABCDEFGH$ with side length $1$ as its base and apex $V.$ Segments $\overline{AV}$ and $\overline{DV}$ are perpendicular. What is the square of the height of the pyramid?

$\textbf{(A) }1 \qquad \textbf{(B) }\frac{1+\sqrt2}{2} \qquad \textbf{(C) }\sqrt2 \qquad \textbf{(D) }\frac32 \qquad \textbf{(E) }\frac{2+\sqrt2}{3} \qquad$


Solution 1

To find the height of the pyramid, we need the length from the center of the octagon (denote as $I$) to its vertices and the length of AV.

From symmetry, we know that $\overline{AV} = \overline{DV}$, therefore $\triangle{AVD}$ is a 45-45-90 triangle. Denote $\overline{AV}$ as $x$ so that $\overline{AD} = x\sqrt{2}$. Doing some geometry on the isosceles trapezoid $ABCD$ (we know this from the fact that it is a regular octagon) reveals that $\overline{AD}=1+2(\sqrt{2}/2)=1+\sqrt{2}$ and $\overline{AV}=(\overline{AD})/\sqrt{2}=(\sqrt{2}+2)/2$.

To find the length $\overline{IA}$, we cut the octagon into 8 triangles, each with a smallest angle of 45 degrees. Using the law of cosines on $\triangle{AIB}$ we find that ${\overline{IA}}^2=(2+\sqrt{2})/2$.

Finally, using the pythagorean theorem, we can find that ${\overline{IV}}^2={\overline{AV}}^2-{\overline{IA}}^2= {((\sqrt{2}+2)/2)}^2 - (2+\sqrt{2})/2 = \boxed{(1+\sqrt{2})/2}$ which is answer choice $\boxed{B}$.

～username2333

Solution 2 (Less computation)

Let $O$ be the center of the regular octagon. Connect $AD$, and let $I$ be the midpoint of line segment $AD$. It is easy to see that $VI=\frac{1}{2} AD=\frac{1+\sqrt{2}}{2}$ and $OI=\frac{1}{2}AH=\frac{1}{4}$. Hence, \[VO^2=VI^2-OI^2\] \[=\left(\frac{1+\sqrt{2}}{2}\right)^2-\frac{1}{4}\] \[=\frac{1+\sqrt{2}}{2}\] Hence, the answer is $\boxed{B}$.

~tsun26

See also

2024 AMC 12B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 22 		Followed by
Problem 24
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

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png

Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=2024_AMC_12B_Problems/Problem_23&oldid=233982"