2021 AIME I Problems/Problem 9

1 Problem
2 Diagram
3 Solution 1 (Similar Triangles and Pythagorean Theorem)
4 Solution 2 (Similar Triangles and Pythagorean Theorem)
5 Solution 3 (Cyclic Quadrilaterals, Similar Triangles, Pythagorean Theorem)
6 Solution 4 (Cyclic Quadrilaterals, Similar Triangles, Pythagorean Theorem)
7 Solution 5 (Similar Triangles and Trigonometry)
8 Solution 6 (Similar Triangles and Trigonometry)
9 Solution 7 (Heron's Formula)
10 Solution 8 (Similar Triangles and Pythagorean Theorem)
11 Video Solution
12 See Also

Problem

Let $ABCD$ be an isosceles trapezoid with $AD=BC$ and $AB<CD.$ Suppose that the distances from $A$ to the lines $BC,CD,$ and $BD$ are $15,18,$ and $10,$ respectively. Let $K$ be the area of $ABCD.$ Find $\sqrt2 \cdot K.$

Diagram

$[asy] /* Made by MRENTHUSIASM */ size(250); pair A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H; A = (-45sqrt(2)/8,18); B = (45sqrt(2)/8,18); C = (81sqrt(2)/8,0); D = (-81sqrt(2)/8,0); E = foot(A,C,B); F = foot(A,C,D); G = foot(A,B,D); H = intersectionpoint(A--F,B--D); markscalefactor=0.1; draw(rightanglemark(A,E,B),red); draw(rightanglemark(A,F,C),red); draw(rightanglemark(A,G,D),red); dot("$A$",A,1.5*NW,linewidth(4)); dot("$B$",B,1.5*NE,linewidth(4)); dot("$C$",C,1.5*SE,linewidth(4)); dot("$D$",D,1.5*SW,linewidth(4)); dot(E,linewidth(4)); dot(F,linewidth(4)); dot(G,linewidth(4)); draw(A--B--C--D--cycle^^B--D^^B--E); draw(A--E^^A--F^^A--G,dashed); label("$10$",midpoint(A--G),1.5*(1,0)); label("$15$",midpoint(A--E),1.5*N); Label L = Label("$18$", align=(0,0), position=MidPoint, filltype=Fill(0,3,white)); draw(C+(5,0)--(81sqrt(2)/8,18)+(5,0), L=L, arrow=Arrows(),bar=Bars(15)); [/asy]$ ~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 1 (Similar Triangles and Pythagorean Theorem)

Let $\overline{AE}, \overline{AF},$ and $\overline{AG}$ be the perpendiculars from $A$ to $\overleftrightarrow{BC}, \overleftrightarrow{CD},$ and $\overleftrightarrow{BD},$ respectively. Next, let $H$ be the intersection of $\overline{AF}$ and $\overline{BD}.$

We set $AB=x$ and $AH=y,$ as shown below. $[asy] /* Made by MRENTHUSIASM */ size(250); pair A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H; A = (-45sqrt(2)/8,18); B = (45sqrt(2)/8,18); C = (81sqrt(2)/8,0); D = (-81sqrt(2)/8,0); E = foot(A,C,B); F = foot(A,C,D); G = foot(A,B,D); H = intersectionpoint(A--F,B--D); markscalefactor=0.1; draw(rightanglemark(A,E,B),red); draw(rightanglemark(A,F,C),red); draw(rightanglemark(A,G,D),red); dot("$A$",A,1.5*NW,linewidth(4)); dot("$B$",B,1.5*NE,linewidth(4)); dot("$C$",C,1.5*SE,linewidth(4)); dot("$D$",D,1.5*SW,linewidth(4)); dot("$E$",E,1.5*dir(E),linewidth(4)); dot("$F$",F,1.5*S,linewidth(4)); dot("$G$",G,SE,linewidth(4)); dot("$H$",H,SE,linewidth(4)); draw(A--B--C--D--cycle^^B--D^^B--E); draw(A--E^^A--F^^A--G,dashed); label("$10$",midpoint(A--G),1.5*(1,0)); label("$15$",midpoint(A--E),1.5*N); Label L = Label("$18$", align=(0,0), position=MidPoint, filltype=Fill(0,3,white)); draw(C+(5,0)--(81sqrt(2)/8,18)+(5,0), L=L, arrow=Arrows(),bar=Bars(15)); label("$x$",midpoint(A--B),N); label("$y$",midpoint(A--H),W); [/asy]$ From here, we obtain $HF=18-y$ by segment subtraction, and $BG=\sqrt{x^2-10^2}$ and $HG=\sqrt{y^2-10^2}$ by the Pythagorean Theorem.

Since $\angle ABG$ and $\angle HAG$ are both complementary to $\angle AHB,$ we have $\angle ABG = \angle HAG,$ from which $\triangle ABG \sim \triangle HAG$ by AA. It follows that $\frac{BG}{AG}=\frac{AG}{HG},$ so $BG\cdot HG=AG^2,$ or $\sqrt{x^2-10^2}\cdot\sqrt{y^2-10^2}=10^2. \hspace{10mm} (1)$ Since $\angle AHB = \angle FHD$ by vertical angles, we have $\triangle AHB \sim \triangle FHD$ by AA, with the ratio of similitude $\frac{AH}{FH}=\frac{BA}{DF}.$ It follows that $DF=BA\cdot\frac{FH}{AH}=x\cdot\frac{18-y}{y}.$

Since $\angle EBA = \angle ECD = \angle FDA$ by angle chasing, we have $\triangle EBA \sim \triangle FDA$ by AA, with the ratio of similitude $\frac{EA}{FA}=\frac{BA}{DA}.$ It follows that $DA=BA\cdot\frac{FA}{EA}=x\cdot\frac{18}{15}=\frac{6}{5}x.$

By the Pythagorean Theorem on right $\triangle ADF,$ we have $DF^2+AF^2=AD^2,$ or $\left(x\cdot\frac{18-y}{y}\right)^2+18^2=\left(\frac{6}{5}x\right)^2. \hspace{7mm} (2)$ Solving this system of equations ( $(1)$ and $(2)$ ), we get $x=\frac{45\sqrt2}{4}$ and $y=\frac{90}{7},$ so $AB=x=\frac{45\sqrt2}{4}$ and $CD=AB+2DF=x+2\left(x\cdot\frac{18-y}{y}\right)=\frac{81\sqrt2}{4}.$ Finally, the area of $ABCD$ is $K=\frac{AB+CD}{2}\cdot AF=\frac{567\sqrt2}{2},$ from which $\sqrt2 \cdot K=\boxed{567}.$

~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 2 (Similar Triangles and Pythagorean Theorem)

First, draw the diagram. Then, notice that since $ABCD$ is isosceles, $\Delta ABD \cong \Delta BAC$ , and the length of the altitude from $B$ to $AC$ is also $10$ . Let the foot of this altitude be $F$ , and let the foot of the altitude from $A$ to $BC$ be denoted as $E$ . Then, $\Delta BCF \sim \Delta ACE$ . So, $\frac{BC}{AC} = \frac{BF}{AE} = \frac{2}{3}$ . Now, notice that $[ABC] = \frac{10 \cdot AC} {2} = \frac{AB \cdot 18}{2} \implies AC = \frac{9 \cdot AB}{5}$ , where $[ABC]$ denotes the area of triangle $ABC$ . Letting $AB = x$ , this equality becomes $AC = \frac{9x}{5}$ . Also, from $\frac{BC}{AC} = \frac{2}{3}$ , we have $BC = \frac{6x}{5}$ . Now, by the Pythagorean theorem on triangles $ABF$ and $CBF$ , we have $AF = \sqrt{x^{2}-100}$ and $CF = \sqrt{ \left( \frac{6x}{5} \right) ^{2}-100}$ . Notice that $AC = AF + CF$ , so $\frac{9x}{5} = \sqrt{x^{2}-100} + \sqrt{ \left( \frac{6x}{5} \right) ^{2}-100}$ . Squaring both sides of the equation once, moving $x^{2}-100$ and $\left( \frac{6x}{5} \right) ^{2}-100$ to the right, dividing both sides by $2$ , and squaring the equation once more, we are left with $\frac{32x^{4}}{25} = 324x^{2}$ . Dividing both sides by $x^{2}$ (since we know $x$ is positive), we are left with $\frac{32x^{2}}{25} = 324$ . Solving for $x$ gives us $x = \frac{45}{2\sqrt{2}}$ .

Now, let the foot of the perpendicular from $A$ to $CD$ be $G$ . Then let $DG = y$ . Let the foot of the perpendicular from $B$ to $CD$ be $H$ . Then, $CH$ is also equal to $y$ . Notice that $ABHG$ is a rectangle, so $GH = x$ . Now, we have $CG = GH + CH = x + y$ . By the Pythagorean theorem applied to $\Delta AGC$ , we have $(x+y)^{2}+18^{2}= \left( \frac{9x}{5} \right) ^{2}$ . We know that $\frac{9x}{5} = \frac{9}{5} \cdot \frac{45}{2\sqrt{2}} = \frac{81}{2\sqrt{2}}$ , so we can plug this into this equation. Solving for $x+y$ , we get $x+y=\frac{63}{2\sqrt{2}}$ .

Finally, to find $[ABCD]$ , we use the formula for the area of a trapezoid: $K = [ABCD] = \frac{b_{1}+b_{2}}{2} \cdot h = \frac{AB+CD}{2} \cdot 18 = \frac{x+(CG+DG)}{2} \cdot 18 = \frac{2x+2y}{2} \cdot 18 = (x+y) \cdot 18 = \frac{63}{2\sqrt{2}} \cdot 18 = \frac{567}{\sqrt{2}}$ . The problem asks us for $K \cdot \sqrt{2}$ , which comes out to be $\boxed{567}$ .

~advanture

Solution 3 (Cyclic Quadrilaterals, Similar Triangles, Pythagorean Theorem)

Let the foot of the altitude from $A$ to $BC$ be $P$ , to $CD$ be $Q$ , and to $BD$ be $R$ .

Note that all isosceles trapezoids are cyclic quadrilaterals; thus, $A$ is on the circumcircle of $\triangle BCD$ and we have that $PRQ$ is the Simson Line from $A$ . As $\angle QAB = 90^\circ$ , we have that $\angle QAR = 90^\circ - \angle RAB =\angle ABR = \angle APR = \angle APQ$ , with the last equality coming from cyclic quadrilateral $APBR$ . Thus, $\triangle QAR \sim \triangle QPA$ and we have that $\frac{AQ}{AR} = \frac{PQ}{PA}$ or that $\frac{18}{10} = \frac{QP}{15}$ , which we can see gives us that $QP = 27$ . Further ratios using the same similar triangles gives that $QR = \frac{25}{3}$ and $RP = \frac{56}{3}$ .

We also see that quadrilaterals $APBR$ and $ARQD$ are both cyclic, with diameters of the circumcircles being $AB$ and $AD$ respectively. The intersection of the circumcircles are the points $A$ and $R$ , and we know $DRB$ and $QRP$ are both line segments passing through an intersection of the two circles with one endpoint on each circle. By Fact 5, we know then that there exists a spiral similarity with center $A$ taking $\triangle APQ$ to $\triangle APD$ . Because we know a lot about $\triangle APQ$ but very little about $\triangle APD$ and we would like to know more, we wish to find the ratio of similitude between the two triangles.

To do this, we use the one number we have for $\triangle APD$ : we know that the altitude from $A$ to $BD$ has length $10$ . As the two triangles are similar, if we can find the height from $A$ to $PQ$ , we can take the ratio of the two heights as the ratio of similitude. To do this, we once again note that $QP = 27$ . Using this, we can drop the altitude from $A$ to $QP$ and let it intersect $QP$ at $H$ . Then, let $QH = x$ and thus $HP=27-x$ . We then have by the Pythagorean Theorem on $\triangle AQH$ and $\triangle APH$ : $\begin{align*} 15^2 - x^2 &= 18^2 - (27-x)^2 \\ 225 - x^2 &= 324 - (x^2-54x+729) \\ 54x &= 630 \\ x &= \frac{35}{3}. \end{align*}$ Then, $RH = QH - QR = \frac{35}{3} - \frac{25}{3} = \frac{10}{3}$ . This gives us then from right triangle $\triangle ARH$ that $AH = \frac{20\sqrt{2}}{3}$ and thus the ratio of $\triangle APQ$ to $\triangle ABD$ is $\frac{3\sqrt{2}}{4}$ . From this, we see then that $AB = AP \cdot \frac{3\sqrt{2}}{4} = 15 \cdot \frac{3\sqrt{2}}{4} = \frac{45\sqrt{2}}{4}$ and $AD = AQ \cdot \frac{3\sqrt{2}}{4} = 18 \cdot \frac{3\sqrt{2}}{4} = \frac{27\sqrt{2}}{2}.$ The Pythagorean Theorem on $\triangle AQD$ then gives that $QD = \sqrt{AD^2 - AQ^2} = \sqrt{\left(\frac{27\sqrt{2}}{2}\right)^2 - 18^2} = \sqrt{\frac{81}{2}} = \frac{9\sqrt{2}}{2}.$ Then, we have the height of trapezoid $ABCD$ is $AQ = 18$ , the top base is $AB = \frac{45\sqrt{2}}{4}$ , and the bottom base is $CD = \frac{45\sqrt{2}}{4} + 2\cdot\frac{9\sqrt{2}}{2}$ . From the equation of a trapezoid, $K = \frac{b_1+b_2}{2} \cdot h = \frac{63\sqrt{2}}{4} \cdot 18 = \frac{567\sqrt{2}}{2}$ , so the answer is $K\sqrt{2} = \boxed{567}$ .

~lvmath

Solution 4 (Cyclic Quadrilaterals, Similar Triangles, Pythagorean Theorem)

Let $E,F,$ and $G$ be the feet of the altitudes from $A$ to $BC,CD,$ and $DB$ , respectively.

Claim: We have $2$ pairs of similar right triangles: $\triangle AEB \sim \triangle AFD$ and $\triangle AGD \sim \triangle AEC$ .

Proof: Note that $ABCD$ is cyclic. We need one more angle, and we get this from this cyclic quadrilateral: $\begin{align*} \angle ABE &= 180^\circ - \angle ABC =\angle ADC = \angle ADG, \\ \angle ADG &= \angle ADB =\angle ACB = \angle ACE. \hspace{20mm} \square \end{align*}$ Let $AD=a$ . We obtain from the similarities $AB = \frac{5a}{6}$ and $AC=BD=\frac{3a}{2}$ .

By Ptolemy, $\left(\frac{3a}{2}\right)^2 = a^2 + \frac{5a}{6} \cdot CD$ , so $\frac{5a^2}{4} = \frac{5a}{6} \cdot CD$ .

We obtain $CD=\frac{3a}{2}$ , so $DF=\frac{CD-AB}{2}=\frac{a}{3}$ .

Applying the Pythagorean theorem on $\triangle ADF$ , we get $324=a^2 - \frac{a^2}{9}=\frac{8a^2}{9}$ .

Thus, $a=\frac{27}{\sqrt{2}}$ , and $[ABCD]=\frac{AB+CD}{2} \cdot 18 = \frac{\frac{5a}{6} +\frac{9a}{6}}{2} \cdot 18 = 18 \cdot \frac{7}{6} \cdot \frac{27}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{567}{\sqrt{2}}$ , yielding $\sqrt2\cdot[ABCD]=\boxed{567}$ .

Solution 5 (Similar Triangles and Trigonometry)

Let $AD=BC=a$ . Draw diagonal $AC$ and let $G$ be the foot of the perpendicular from $B$ to $AC$ , $F$ be the foot of the perpendicular from $A$ to line $BC$ , and $H$ be the foot of the perpendicular from $A$ to $DC$ .

Note that $\triangle CBG\sim\triangle CAF$ , and we get that $\frac{10}{15}=\frac{a}{AC}$ . Therefore, $AC=\frac32 a$ . It then follows that $\triangle ABF\sim\triangle ADH$ . Using similar triangles, we can then find that $AB=\frac{5}{6}a$ . Using the Law of Cosines on $\triangle ABC$ , We can find that the $\cos\angle ABC=-\frac{1}{3}$ . Since $\angle ABF=\angle ADH$ , and each is supplementary to $\angle ABC$ , we know that the $\cos\angle ADH=\frac{1}{3}$ . It then follows that $a=\frac{27\sqrt{2}}{2}$ . Then it can be found that the area $K$ is $\frac{567\sqrt{2}}{2}$ . Multiplying this by $\sqrt{2}$ , the answer is $\boxed{567}$ .

~happykeeper

Solution 6 (Similar Triangles and Trigonometry)

Draw the distances in terms of $B$ , as shown in the diagram. By similar triangles, $\triangle{AEC}\sim\triangle{BIC}$ . As a result, let $AB=u$ , then $BC=AD=\frac{6}{5}u$ and $2AC=3BC$ . The triangle $ABC$ is $6-5-9$ which $\cos(\angle{ABC})=-\frac{1}{3}$ . By angle subtraction, $\cos(180-\theta)=-\cos\theta$ . Therefore, $AB=\frac{45}{2\sqrt{2}}=\frac{45\sqrt{2}}{4}$ and $AD=BC=\frac{27}{\sqrt{2}}$ . By trapezoid area formula, the area of $ABCD$ is equal to $(AB+DF)\cdot 18=567\cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ which $\sqrt{2}\cdot k=\boxed{567}$ .

~math2718281828459

Solution 7 (Heron's Formula)

Let the points formed by dropping altitudes from $A$ to the lines $BC$ , $CD$ , and $BD$ be $E$ , $F$ , and $G$ , respectively.

We have $\triangle ABE \sim \triangle ADF \implies \frac{AD}{18} = \frac{AB}{15} \implies AD = \frac{6}{5}AB$ and $BD\cdot10 = 2[ABD] = AB\cdot18 \implies BD = \frac{9}{5}AB.$

For convenience, let $AB = 5x$ . By Heron's formula on $\triangle ABD$ , we have sides $5x,6x,9x$ and semiperimeter $10x$ , so $\sqrt{10x\cdot5x\cdot4x\cdot1x} = [ABD] = \frac{AB\cdot18}{2} = 45x \implies 10\sqrt{2}x^2 = 45x \implies x= \frac{45}{10\sqrt{2}},$ so $AB = 5x = \frac{45}{2\sqrt{2}}$ .

Then, $BE = \sqrt{AB^2 - CA^2} = \sqrt{\left(\frac{45}{2\sqrt{2}}\right)^2 - 15^2} = \sqrt{\frac{225}{8}} = \frac{15}{2\sqrt{2}}$ and $\triangle ABE \sim \triangle ADF \implies DF = \frac{6}{5}BE = \frac{6}{5}\cdot\frac{15}{2\sqrt{2}} = \frac{18}{2\sqrt{2}}.$

Finally, recalling that $ABCD$ is isosceles, $K = [ABCD] = \frac{18}{2}(AB + (AB + 2DF)) = 18(AB + DF) = 18\left(\frac{45}{2\sqrt{2}} + \frac{18}{2\sqrt{2}}\right) = \frac{567}{\sqrt{2}},$ so $\sqrt{2}\cdot K = \boxed{567}$ .

~emerald_block

Solution 8 (Similar Triangles and Pythagorean Theorem)

Make $AE$ perpendicular to $BC$ ; $AG$ perpendicular to $BD$ ; $AF$ perpendicular $DC$ .

It's obvious that $\triangle{AEB} \sim \triangle{AFD}$ . Let $EB=5x; AB=5y; DF=6x; AD=6y$ . Then make $BQ$ perpendicular to $DC$ , it's easy to get $BQ=18$ .

Since $AB$ parallel to $DC$ , $\angle{ABG}=\angle{BDQ}$ , so $\triangle{ABG} \sim \triangle{BDQ}$ . After drawing the altitude, it's obvious that $FQ=AB=5y$ , so $DQ=5y+6x$ . According to the property of similar triangles, $AG/BQ=BG/DQ$ . So, $\frac{5}{9}=\frac{GB}{(6x+5y)}$ , or $GB=\frac{(30x+25y)}{9}$ .

Now, we see the $\triangle AEB$ , pretty easy to find that $15^2+(5x)^2=(5y)^2$ , then we get $x^2+9=y^2$ , then express $y$ into $x$ form that $y=\sqrt{x^2+9}$ we put the length of $BG$ back to $\triangle AGB$ : $BG^2+100=AB^2$ . So, $\frac{[30x+25\sqrt{(x^2+9)}]^2}{81}+100=(5\sqrt{x^2+9})^2.$ After calculating, we can have a final equation of $x^2+9=\sqrt{x^2+9}\cdot3x$ . It's easy to find $x=\frac{3\sqrt{2}}{4}$ then $y=\frac{9\sqrt{2}}{4}$ . So, the area of the trapezoid is $(5y+5y+6x+6x)\cdot9=\boxed{567}$ .

~bluesoul

Video Solution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rLnl8z7lnM

2021 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 8	Followed by Problem 10
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