Difference between revisions of "2005 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 24"
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== Solution == | == Solution == | ||
− | + | <center><asy> | |
− | |||
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import graph; | import graph; | ||
real f(real x) {return x^2;} | real f(real x) {return x^2;} | ||
Line 24: | Line 22: | ||
draw((0,-0.5)--(0,4),Arrows); | draw((0,-0.5)--(0,4),Arrows); | ||
draw(A--B--C--cycle); | draw(A--B--C--cycle); | ||
− | label(" | + | label("$x$", (2,0), NE); |
− | label(" | + | label("$y$", (0,4), NE); |
− | dot(" | + | dot("$A(a,a^2)$", A, S); |
− | dot(" | + | dot("$B(b,b^2)$", B, E); |
− | dot(" | + | dot("$C(c,c^2)$", C, W); |
− | + | </asy></center> | |
− | |||
− | |||
Using the slope formula and differences of squares, we find: | Using the slope formula and differences of squares, we find: | ||
Line 40: | Line 36: | ||
<math>a+c</math> = the slope of <math>AC</math>. | <math>a+c</math> = the slope of <math>AC</math>. | ||
− | So the value that we need to find is the sum of the slopes of the three sides of the triangle divided by <math>2</math>. Without loss of generality, let <math>AB</math> be the side that has the smallest angle with the positive <math>x</math>-axis. Let <math>J</math> be an arbitrary point with the coordinates <math>(1, 0)</math>. Translate the triangle so <math>A</math> is at the origin. Then <math>tan(BOJ) = 2</math>. Since the slope of a line is equal to the tangent of the angle formed by the line and the positive x- axis, the answer is <math>\dfrac{tan(BOJ) + tan(BOJ+60) + tan(BOJ-60)}{2}</math>. | + | So the value that we need to find is the sum of the slopes of the three sides of the triangle divided by <math>2</math>. Without loss of generality, let <math>AB</math> be the side that has the smallest angle with the positive <math>x</math>-axis. Let <math>J</math> be an arbitrary point with the coordinates <math>(1, 0)</math>. Translate the triangle so <math>A</math> is at the origin. Then <math>\tan(BOJ) = 2</math>. Since the slope of a line is equal to the tangent of the angle formed by the line and the positive x- axis, the answer is <math>\dfrac{\tan(BOJ) + \tan(BOJ+60) + \tan(BOJ-60)}{2}</math>. |
− | Using <math>tan(BOJ) = 2</math>, and | + | Using <math>\tan(BOJ) = 2</math>, and the tangent addition formula, this simplifies to <math>\dfrac{3}{11}</math>, so the answer is <math>3 + 11 = \boxed{\mathrm{(A)}\ 14}</math> |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
{{AMC12 box|year=2005|ab=B|num-b=23|num-a=25}} | {{AMC12 box|year=2005|ab=B|num-b=23|num-a=25}} | ||
{{MAA Notice}} | {{MAA Notice}} |
Revision as of 15:12, 15 July 2018
Problem
All three vertices of an equilateral triangle are on the parabola , and one of its sides has a slope of . The -coordinates of the three vertices have a sum of , where and are relatively prime positive integers. What is the value of ?
Solution
Using the slope formula and differences of squares, we find:
= the slope of ,
= the slope of ,
= the slope of .
So the value that we need to find is the sum of the slopes of the three sides of the triangle divided by . Without loss of generality, let be the side that has the smallest angle with the positive -axis. Let be an arbitrary point with the coordinates . Translate the triangle so is at the origin. Then . Since the slope of a line is equal to the tangent of the angle formed by the line and the positive x- axis, the answer is .
Using , and the tangent addition formula, this simplifies to , so the answer is
See also
2005 AMC 12B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | |
Preceded by Problem 23 |
Followed by Problem 25 |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 | |
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions |
The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.