Difference between revisions of "1999 AIME Problems/Problem 9"

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== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
A function <math>\displaystyle f</math> is defined on the complex numbers by <math>\displaystyle f(z)=(a+bi)z,</math> where <math>\displaystyle a_{}</math> and <math>\displaystyle b_{}</math> are positive numbers.  This function has the property that the image of each point in the complex plane is equidistant from that point and the origin.  Given that <math>\displaystyle |a+bi|=8</math> and that <math>\displaystyle b^2=m/n,</math> where <math>\displaystyle m_{}</math> and <math>\displaystyle n_{}</math> are relatively prime positive integers.  Find <math>\displaystyle m+n.</math>
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A function <math>f</math> is defined on the [[complex number]]s by <math>f(z)=(a+bi)z,</math> where <math>a_{}</math> and <math>b_{}</math> are positive numbers.  This [[function]] has the property that the image of each point in the complex plane is [[equidistant]] from that point and the [[origin]].  Given that <math>|a+bi|=8</math> and that <math>b^2=m/n,</math> where <math>m_{}</math> and <math>n_{}</math> are relatively prime positive integers.  Find <math>m+n.</math>
  
 
== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
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Suppose we pick an arbitrary point on the line <math>x = y</math> on the [[complex plane]], say <math>(1,1)</math>. According to the definition of <math>f(1+i) = (a+bi)(1+i) = (a-b) + (a+b)i</math>, the image must be equidistant to <math>(1,1)</math> and <math>(0,0)</math>. These points lie on the line with slope <math>-1</math> and which passes through <math>\left\frac 12, \frac12\right)</math>, so its graph is <math>x + y = 1</math>. Substituting <math>x = (a-b)</math> and <math>y = (a+b)</math>, we get <math>2a = 1 \Rightarrow a = \frac 12</math>.
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By the [[Pythagorean Theorem]], we have <math>\left(\frac{1}{2}\right_^2 + b^2 = 8^2 \Longrightarrow b^2 = \frac{255}{4}</math>, and the answer is <math>\boxed{259}</math>.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
* [[1999_AIME_Problems/Problem_8|Previous Problem]]
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{{AIME box|year=1999|num-b=8|num-a=10}}
* [[1999_AIME_Problems/Problem_10|Next Problem]]
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* [[1999 AIME Problems]]
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[[Category:Intermediate Complex Numbers Problems]]
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[[Category:Intermediate Geometry Problems]]

Revision as of 16:42, 18 October 2007

Problem

A function $f$ is defined on the complex numbers by $f(z)=(a+bi)z,$ where $a_{}$ and $b_{}$ are positive numbers. This function has the property that the image of each point in the complex plane is equidistant from that point and the origin. Given that $|a+bi|=8$ and that $b^2=m/n,$ where $m_{}$ and $n_{}$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m+n.$

Solution

Suppose we pick an arbitrary point on the line $x = y$ on the complex plane, say $(1,1)$. According to the definition of $f(1+i) = (a+bi)(1+i) = (a-b) + (a+b)i$, the image must be equidistant to $(1,1)$ and $(0,0)$. These points lie on the line with slope $-1$ and which passes through $\left\frac 12, \frac12\right)$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg), so its graph is $x + y = 1$. Substituting $x = (a-b)$ and $y = (a+b)$, we get $2a = 1 \Rightarrow a = \frac 12$.

By the Pythagorean Theorem, we have $\left(\frac{1}{2}\right_^2 + b^2 = 8^2 \Longrightarrow b^2 = \frac{255}{4}$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg), and the answer is $\boxed{259}$.

See also

1999 AIME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 8
Followed by
Problem 10
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All AIME Problems and Solutions