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

m
(Added solution)
Line 3: Line 3:
  
 
== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
{{solution}}
+
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:
  
 +
<math>DA^2=DB^2=DC^2=20^2-OD^2</math>
 +
 +
It follows that <math>DA=DB=DC</math>, so <math>D</math> is the [[circumcenter]] of <math>\triangle ABC</math>.
 +
 +
By [[Heron's Formula]] the area of <math>\triangle ABC</math> is:
 +
 +
<math>K = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} = \sqrt{21(21-15)(21-14)(21-13)} = \sqrt{(21)(8)(7)(6)} = \sqrt{(3\cdot 7)(2^3)(7)(2\cdot 3)} =\sqrt{2^4\cdot 3^2\cdot 7^2} = 2^2\cdot 3\cdot 7 = 84</math>
 +
 +
Now the [[circumradius]] of <math>\triangle ABC</math> is:
 +
 +
<math>R = \frac{abc}{4K} = \frac{(13)(14)(15)}{4(84)} = \frac{65}{8}</math>
 +
 +
Thus by the Pythagorean Theorem again,
 +
 +
<math>OD = \sqrt{20^2-R^2} = \sqrt{20^2-\frac{65^2}{8^2}} = \sqrt{\frac{160^2-65^2}{8^2}} = \frac{\sqrt{(160-65)(160+65)}}{8} = \frac{\sqrt{(95)(225)}}{8} = \frac{15\sqrt{95}}{8}</math>.
 +
 +
So the final answer is <math>15+95+8=\boxed{118}</math>
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
{{AIME box|year=2000|n=II|num-b=11|num-a=13}}
 
{{AIME box|year=2000|n=II|num-b=11|num-a=13}}

Revision as of 02:22, 27 November 2007

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

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:

$K = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} = \sqrt{21(21-15)(21-14)(21-13)} = \sqrt{(21)(8)(7)(6)} = \sqrt{(3\cdot 7)(2^3)(7)(2\cdot 3)} =\sqrt{2^4\cdot 3^2\cdot 7^2} = 2^2\cdot 3\cdot 7 = 84$

Now 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,

$OD = \sqrt{20^2-R^2} = \sqrt{20^2-\frac{65^2}{8^2}} = \sqrt{\frac{160^2-65^2}{8^2}} = \frac{\sqrt{(160-65)(160+65)}}{8} = \frac{\sqrt{(95)(225)}}{8} = \frac{15\sqrt{95}}{8}$.

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

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