1983 AIME Problems/Problem 4

Problem

A machine shop cutting tool is in the shape of a notched circle, as shown. The radius of the circle is 50 cm, the length of $AB$ is 6 cm, and that of $BC$ is 2 cm. The angle $ABC$ is a right angle. Find the square of the distance (in centimeters) from $B$ to the center of the circle.

Solution

Because we are given a right angle, we look for ways to apply the Pythagorean Theorem. Let the foot of the perpendicular from $O$ to $AB$ be $D$ and let the foot of the perpendicular from $O$ to the line $BC$ be $E$ . Let $OE=x$ and $OD=y$ . We're trying to find $x^2+y^2$ .

Applying the Pythagorean Theorem, $OA^2 = OD^2 + AD^2$ and $OC^2 = EC^2 + EO^2$ .

Thus, $(\sqrt{50})^2 = y^2 + (6-x)^2$ , and $(\sqrt{50})^2 = x^2 + (y+2)^2$ . We solve this system to get $x = 1$ and $y = 5$ , resulting in an answer of $1^2 + 5^2 = 026$ .

1983 AIME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 3	Followed by Problem 5
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15
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1983 AIME Problems/Problem 4

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