2006 AIME A Problems/Problem 6

Problem

Let $\mathcal{S}$ be the set of real numbers that can be represented as repeating decimals of the form $0.\overline{abc}$ where $a, b, c$ are distinct digits. Find the sum of the elements of $\mathcal{S}.$

Solution

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Call the vertices of the new square A', B', C', and D', in relation to the vertices of $ABCD$ , and define $s$ to be one of the sides of that square. Since the sides are parallel, by corresponding angles and AA~ we know that triangles $AA'D'$ and $D'C'E$ are similar. Thus, the sides are proportional: $\frac{AA'}{A'D'} = \frac{D'C'}{C'E} \Longrightarrow \frac{1 - s}{s} = \frac{s}{1 - s - CE}$ . Simplifying, we get that $s^2 = (1 - s)(1 - s - CE)$ .

$\angle EAF$ is $60$ degrees, so $\angle BAE = \frac{90 - 60}{2} = 15$ . Thus, $\cos 15 = \cos (45 - 30) = \frac{\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{2}}{4} = \frac{1}{AE}$ , so $AE = \frac{4}{\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{2}} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}$ . Since $\triangle AEF$ is equilateral, $EF = AE = \sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}$ . $\triangle CEF$ is a $45-45-90 \triangle$ , so $CE = \frac{AE}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{3} - 1$ . Substituting back into the equation from the beginning, we get $s^2 = (1 - s)(2 - \sqrt{3} - s)$ , so $(3 - \sqrt{3})s = 2 - \sqrt{3}$ . Therefore, $s = \frac{2 - \sqrt{3}}{3 - \sqrt{3}} \cdot \frac{3 + \sqrt{3}}{3 + \sqrt{3}} = \frac{3 - \sqrt{3}}{6}$ , and $\displaystyle a + b + c = 3 + 3 + 6 = 012$ .

2006 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 5	Followed by Problem 7
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2006 AIME A Problems/Problem 6

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