Difference between revisions of "2000 AIME II Problems/Problem 12"

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The points <math>A</math>, <math>B</math> and <math>C</math> lie on the surface of a [[sphere]] with center <math>O</math> and radius <math>20</math>. It is given that <math>AB=13</math>, <math>BC=14</math>, <math>CA=15</math>, and that the distance from <math>O</math> to <math>\triangle ABC</math> is <math>\frac{m\sqrt{n}}k</math>, where <math>m</math>, <math>n</math>, and <math>k</math> are positive integers, <math>m</math> and <math>k</math> are relatively prime, and <math>n</math> is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find <math>m+n+k</math>.
 
The points <math>A</math>, <math>B</math> and <math>C</math> lie on the surface of a [[sphere]] with center <math>O</math> and radius <math>20</math>. It is given that <math>AB=13</math>, <math>BC=14</math>, <math>CA=15</math>, and that the distance from <math>O</math> to <math>\triangle ABC</math> is <math>\frac{m\sqrt{n}}k</math>, where <math>m</math>, <math>n</math>, and <math>k</math> are positive integers, <math>m</math> and <math>k</math> are relatively prime, and <math>n</math> is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find <math>m+n+k</math>.
  
== Solution ==
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== Solution 1==
 
Let <math>D</math> be the foot of the [[perpendicular]] from <math>O</math> to the plane of <math>ABC</math>. By the [[Pythagorean Theorem]] on triangles <math>\triangle OAD</math>, <math>\triangle OBD</math> and <math>\triangle OCD</math> we get:
 
Let <math>D</math> be the foot of the [[perpendicular]] from <math>O</math> to the plane of <math>ABC</math>. By the [[Pythagorean Theorem]] on triangles <math>\triangle OAD</math>, <math>\triangle OBD</math> and <math>\triangle OCD</math> we get:
  
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So the final answer is <math>15+95+8=\boxed{118}</math>.
 
So the final answer is <math>15+95+8=\boxed{118}</math>.
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== Solution 2 (Vectors) ==
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We know the radii to <math>A</math>,<math>B</math>, and <math>C</math> form a triangular pyramid <math>OABC</math>. We know the lengths of the edges <math>OA = OB = OC = 20</math>. First we can break up <math>ABC</math> into its two component right triangles <math>5-12-13</math> and <math>9-12-15</math>. Let the <math>y</math> axis be perpendicular to the base and <math>x</math> axis run along <math>BC</math>, and <math>z</math> occupy the other dimension, with the origin as <math>C</math>. We look at vectors <math>OA</math> and <math>OC</math>. Since <math>OAC</math> is isoceles we know the vertex is equidistant from <math>A</math> and <math>C</math>, hence it is <math>7</math> units along the <math>x</math> axis. Hence for vector <math>OC</math>, in form <math><x,y,z></math> it is <math><7, h, l</math> where <math>h</math> is the height (answer) and <math>l</math> is the component of the vertex along the <math>z</math> axis. Now on vector <math>OA</math>, since <math>A</math> is <math>9</math> along <math>x</math>, and it is <math>12</math> along <math>z</math> axis, it is <math><-2, h, 12- l></math>. We know both vector magnitudes are <math>20</math>. Solving for <math>h</math> yields <math>\frac{15\sqrt{95} }{8}</math>, so Answer = <math>\boxed{118}</math>.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 12:30, 7 January 2019

Problem

The points $A$, $B$ and $C$ lie on the surface of a sphere with center $O$ and radius $20$. It is given that $AB=13$, $BC=14$, $CA=15$, and that the distance from $O$ to $\triangle ABC$ is $\frac{m\sqrt{n}}k$, where $m$, $n$, and $k$ are positive integers, $m$ and $k$ are relatively prime, and $n$ is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find $m+n+k$.

Solution 1

Let $D$ be the foot of the perpendicular from $O$ to the plane of $ABC$. By the Pythagorean Theorem on triangles $\triangle OAD$, $\triangle OBD$ and $\triangle OCD$ we get:

\[DA^2=DB^2=DC^2=20^2-OD^2\]

It follows that $DA=DB=DC$, so $D$ is the circumcenter of $\triangle ABC$.

By Heron's Formula the area of $\triangle ABC$ is (alternatively, a $13-14-15$ triangle may be split into $9-12-15$ and $5-12-13$ right triangles):

\[K = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} = \sqrt{21(21-15)(21-14)(21-13)} = 84\]

From $R = \frac{abc}{4K}$, we know that the circumradius of $\triangle ABC$ is:

\[R = \frac{abc}{4K} = \frac{(13)(14)(15)}{4(84)} = \frac{65}{8}\]

Thus by the Pythagorean Theorem again,

\[OD = \sqrt{20^2-R^2} = \sqrt{20^2-\frac{65^2}{8^2}} = \frac{15\sqrt{95}}{8}.\]

So the final answer is $15+95+8=\boxed{118}$.

Solution 2 (Vectors)

We know the radii to $A$,$B$, and $C$ form a triangular pyramid $OABC$. We know the lengths of the edges $OA = OB = OC = 20$. First we can break up $ABC$ into its two component right triangles $5-12-13$ and $9-12-15$. Let the $y$ axis be perpendicular to the base and $x$ axis run along $BC$, and $z$ occupy the other dimension, with the origin as $C$. We look at vectors $OA$ and $OC$. Since $OAC$ is isoceles we know the vertex is equidistant from $A$ and $C$, hence it is $7$ units along the $x$ axis. Hence for vector $OC$, in form $<x,y,z>$ it is $<7, h, l$ where $h$ is the height (answer) and $l$ is the component of the vertex along the $z$ axis. Now on vector $OA$, since $A$ is $9$ along $x$, and it is $12$ along $z$ axis, it is $<-2, h, 12- l>$. We know both vector magnitudes are $20$. Solving for $h$ yields $\frac{15\sqrt{95} }{8}$, so Answer = $\boxed{118}$.

See also

2000 AIME II (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 11
Followed by
Problem 13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

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