2021 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 5

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Problem

The point $P(a,b)$ in the $xy$-plane is first rotated counterclockwise by $90\deg$ around the point $(1,5)$ and then reflected about the line $y = -x$. The image of $P$ after these two transformations is at $(-6,3)$. What is $b - a ?$

$\textbf{(A)} ~1 \qquad\textbf{(B)} ~3 \qquad\textbf{(C)} ~5 \qquad\textbf{(D)} ~7 \qquad\textbf{(E)} ~9$

Solution

The final image of $P$ is $(-6,3)$. We know the reflection rule for reflecting over $y=-x$ is $(x,y) --> (-y, -x)$. So before the reflection and after rotation the point is $(-3,6)$.

By definition of rotation, the slope between $(-3,6)$ and $(1,5)$ must be perpendicular to the slope between $(a,b)$ and $(1,5)$. The first slope is $\frac{5-6}{1-(-3)} = \frac{-1}{4}$. This means the slope of $P$ and $(1,5)$ is $4$.

Rotations also preserve distance to the center of rotation, and since we only "travelled" up and down by the slope once to get from $(3,-6)$ to $(1,5)$ it follows we shall only use the slope once to travel from $(1,5)$ to $P$.

Therefore point $P$ is located at $(1+1, 5+4) = (2,9)$. The answer is $9-2 = 7 = \boxed{\textbf{(D)}}$.


--abhinavg0627

Video Solution by OmegaLearn (Rotation & Reflection tricks)

https://youtu.be/VyRWjgGIsRQ

~ pi_is_3.14

See Also

2021 AMC 12B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 4
Followed by
Problem 6
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
2021 AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 8
Followed by
Problem 10
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 10 Problems and Solutions

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