2005 AIME I Problems/Problem 14

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Problem

Consider the points $A(0,12), B(10,9), C(8,0),$ and $D(-4,7).$ There is a unique square $S$ such that each of the four points is on a different side of $S.$ Let $K$ be the area of $S.$ Find the remainder when $10K$ is divided by 1000.

Solution

Let $(a,b)$ denote a normal vector of the side containing $A$. The lines containing the sides of the square have the form $ax+by=12b$, $ax+by=8a$, $bx-ay=10b-9a$ and $bx-ay=-4b-7a$. The lines form a square, so the distance between $C$ and the line through $A$ equals the distance between $D$ and the line through $B$, hence $8a+0b-12b=-4b-7a-10b+9a$, or $-3a=b$. With $a^2+b^2=1$ we get $a=-1$ and $b=3$. So the side of the square is $\frac{44}{\sqrt{10}}$, the area is $K=\frac{1936}{10}$, and the answer to the problem is $936$.

See also