Difference between revisions of "1987 AIME Problems/Problem 15"
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[[Image:AIME_1987_Problem_15.png]] | [[Image:AIME_1987_Problem_15.png]] | ||
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== Solution == | == Solution == | ||
− | + | [[Image:1987 AIME-15a.png|360px]] | |
Because all the [[triangle]]s in the figure are [[similar]] to triangle <math>ABC</math>, it's a good idea to use [[area ratios]]. In the diagram above, <math>\frac {T_1}{T_3} = \frac {T_2}{T_4} = \frac {441}{440}.</math> Hence, <math>T_3 = \frac {440}{441}T_1</math> and <math>T_4 = \frac {440}{441}T_2</math>. Additionally, the area of triangle <math>ABC</math> is equal to both <math>T_1 + T_2 + 441</math> and <math>T_3 + T_4 + T_5 + 440.</math> | Because all the [[triangle]]s in the figure are [[similar]] to triangle <math>ABC</math>, it's a good idea to use [[area ratios]]. In the diagram above, <math>\frac {T_1}{T_3} = \frac {T_2}{T_4} = \frac {441}{440}.</math> Hence, <math>T_3 = \frac {440}{441}T_1</math> and <math>T_4 = \frac {440}{441}T_2</math>. Additionally, the area of triangle <math>ABC</math> is equal to both <math>T_1 + T_2 + 441</math> and <math>T_3 + T_4 + T_5 + 440.</math> | ||
− | Setting the equations equal and solving for <math>T_5</math>, <math>T_5 = 1 + T_1 - T_3 + T_2 - T_4 = 1 + \frac {T_1}{441} + \frac {T_2}{441}</math>. Therefore, <math>441T_5 = 441 + T_1 + T_2</math>. However, <math>441 + T_1 + T_2</math> is equal to the area of triangle <math>ABC</math>! This means that the ratio between the areas <math>T_5</math> and <math>ABC</math> is <math>441</math>, and the ratio between the sides is <math>\sqrt {441} = 21</math>. As a result, <math>AB = 21\sqrt {440} = \sqrt {AC^2 + BC^2}</math>. We now need <math>(AC)(BC)</math> to find the value of <math>AC + BC</math>, because <math>AB^2 + 2(AC)(BC) = (AC + BC)^2</math>. | + | Setting the equations equal and solving for <math>T_5</math>, <math>T_5 = 1 + T_1 - T_3 + T_2 - T_4 = 1 + \frac {T_1}{441} + \frac {T_2}{441}</math>. Therefore, <math>441T_5 = 441 + T_1 + T_2</math>. However, <math>441 + T_1 + T_2</math> is equal to the area of triangle <math>ABC</math>! This means that the ratio between the areas <math>T_5</math> and <math>ABC</math> is <math>441</math>, and the ratio between the sides is <math>\sqrt {441} = 21</math>. As a result, <math>AB = 21\sqrt {440} = \sqrt {AC^2 + BC^2}</math>. We now need <math>(AC)(BC)</math> to find the value of <math>AC + BC</math>, because <math>AB^2 + BC^2 + 2(AC)(BC) = (AC + BC)^2</math>. |
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+ | Let <math>h</math> denote the height to the [[hypotenuse]] of triangle <math>ABC</math>. Notice that <math>h - \frac {1}{21}h = \sqrt {440}</math>. (The height of <math>ABC</math> decreased by the corresponding height of <math>T_5</math>) Thus, <math>(AB)(h) = (AC)(BC) = 22\cdot 21^2</math>. Because <math>AC^2 + BC^2 + 2(AC)(BC) = (AC + BC)^2 = 21^2\cdot22^2</math>, <math>AC + BC = (21)(22) = \boxed{462}</math>. | ||
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+ | == Easy Trig Solution == | ||
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+ | Let <math>\tan\angle ABC = x</math>. Now using the 1st square, <math>AC=21(1+x)</math> and <math>CB=21(1+x^{-1})</math>. Using the second square, <math>AB=\sqrt{440}(1+x+x^{-1})</math>. We have <math>AC^2+CB^2=AB^2</math>, or <cmath>441(x^2+x^{-2}+2x+2x^{-1}+2)=440(x^2+x^{-2}+2x+2x^{-1}+3).</cmath> Rearranging and letting <math>u=x+x^{-1} \Rightarrow u^2 - 2 = x^2 + x^{-2}</math> gives us <math>u^2+2u-440=0.</math> We take the positive root, so <math>u=20</math>, which means <math>AC+CB=21(2+x+x^{-1})=21(2+u)=\boxed{462}</math>. | ||
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+ | == Messy Trig Solution == | ||
− | Let <math> | + | Let <math>\theta</math> be the smaller angle in the triangle. Then the sum of shorter and longer leg is <math>\sqrt{441}(2+\tan{\theta}+\cot{\theta})</math>. We observe that the short leg has length <math>\sqrt{441}(1+\tan{\theta}) = \sqrt{440}(\sec{\theta}+\sin{\theta})</math>. Grouping and squaring, we get <math>\sqrt{\frac{440}{441}} = \frac{\sin{\theta}+\cos{\theta}}{1+\sin{\theta}\cos{\theta}}</math>. Squaring and using the double angle identity for sine, we get, <math>110(\sin{2\theta})^2 + \sin{2\theta} - 1 = 0</math>. Solving, we get <math>\sin{2\theta} = \frac{1}{10}</math>. Now to find <math>\tan{\theta}</math>, we find <math>\cos{2\theta}</math> using the Pythagorean |
+ | Identity, and then use the tangent double angle identity. Thus, <math>\tan{\theta} = 10-3\sqrt{11}</math>. Substituting into the original sum, | ||
+ | we get <math>\boxed{462}</math>. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
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[[Category:Intermediate Geometry Problems]] | [[Category:Intermediate Geometry Problems]] | ||
+ | {{MAA Notice}} |
Revision as of 17:49, 2 September 2020
Problem
Squares and are inscribed in right triangle , as shown in the figures below. Find if area and area .
Solution
Because all the triangles in the figure are similar to triangle , it's a good idea to use area ratios. In the diagram above, Hence, and . Additionally, the area of triangle is equal to both and
Setting the equations equal and solving for , . Therefore, . However, is equal to the area of triangle ! This means that the ratio between the areas and is , and the ratio between the sides is . As a result, . We now need to find the value of , because .
Let denote the height to the hypotenuse of triangle . Notice that . (The height of decreased by the corresponding height of ) Thus, . Because , .
Easy Trig Solution
Let . Now using the 1st square, and . Using the second square, . We have , or Rearranging and letting gives us We take the positive root, so , which means .
Messy Trig Solution
Let be the smaller angle in the triangle. Then the sum of shorter and longer leg is . We observe that the short leg has length . Grouping and squaring, we get . Squaring and using the double angle identity for sine, we get, . Solving, we get . Now to find , we find using the Pythagorean Identity, and then use the tangent double angle identity. Thus, . Substituting into the original sum, we get .
See also
1987 AIME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 14 |
Followed by Last Question | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 | ||
All AIME Problems and Solutions |
The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.