Difference between revisions of "1988 AIME Problems/Problem 7"

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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
 
<center>[[Image:AIME_1988_Solution_07.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[Image:AIME_1988_Solution_07.png]]</center>
 
Let <math>D</math> be the intersection of the [[altitude]] with <math>\overline{BC}</math>, and <math>h</math> be the length of the altitude. [[Without loss of generality]], let <math>BD = 17</math> and <math>CD = 3</math>. Then <math>\tan \angle DAB = \frac{17}{h}</math> and <math>\tan \angle CAD = \frac{3}{h}</math>. Using the [[Trigonometric_identities#Angle_Addition.2FSubtraction_Identities|tangent sum formula]],
 
 
<cmath>
 
\begin{align*}
 
\tan CAB &= \tan (DAB + CAD)\\
 
\frac{22}{7} &= \frac{\tan DAB + \tan CAD}{1 - \tan DAB \cdot \tan CAD} \\
 
&=\frac{\frac{17}{h} + \frac{3}{h}}{1 - \left(\frac{17}{h}\right)\left(\frac{3}{h}\right)} \\
 
\frac{22}{7} &= \frac{20h}{h^2 - 51}\\
 
0 &= 22h^2 - 140h - 22 \cdot 51\\
 
0 &= (11h + 51)(h - 11)
 
\end{align*}
 
</cmath>
 
 
The positive value of <math>h</math> is <math>11</math>, so the area is <math>\frac{1}{2}(17 + 3)\cdot 11 = \boxed{110}</math>.
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 20:12, 15 November 2023

Problem

In triangle $ABC$, $\tan \angle CAB = 22/7$, and the altitude from $A$ divides $BC$ into segments of length 3 and 17. What is the area of triangle $ABC$?

Solution

AIME 1988 Solution 07.png

See also

1988 AIME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 6
Followed by
Problem 8
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All AIME Problems and Solutions

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