2001 AIME I Problems/Problem 7
Contents
[hide]Problem
Triangle has , and . Points and are located on and , respectively, such that is parallel to and contains the center of the inscribed circle of triangle . Then , where and are relatively prime positive integers. Find .
Solution
Solution 1
The semiperimeter of is . By Heron's formula, the area of the whole triangle is . Using the formula , we find that the inradius is . Since , the ratio of the heights of triangles and is equal to the ratio between sides and . From , we find . Thus, we have
Solving for gives so the answer is .
Solution 2
Since the point is the center (call it P) of the inscribed circle, it must be the intersection of all three angle bisectors. Drawing the bisector AP, to where it intersects BC, we shall call this intersection F. Using the angle bisector theorem, we know the ratio BF:CF is 21:22, thus we shall assign a weight of 22 to point B and a weight of 21 to point C, giving F a weight of 43. In the same manner, using another bisector, we find that A has a weight of 20. So, now we know P has a weight of 63, and the ratio of FP:PA is 20:43. Therefore, the smaller similar triangle ADE is 43/63 the height of the original triangle ABC. So, DE is 43/63 the size of BC. Multiplying this ratio by the length of BC, we find DE is 860/63 = m/n. Therefore, m+n=923.
See also
2001 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 6 |
Followed by Problem 8 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 | ||
All AIME Problems and Solutions |