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Difference between revisions of "2011 AIME I Problems/Problem 4"

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== Problem 4 ==
 
== Problem 4 ==
 
In triangle <math>ABC</math>, <math>AB=125</math>, <math>AC=117</math> and <math>BC=120</math>. The angle bisector of angle <math>A</math> intersects <math> \overline{BC} </math> at point <math>L</math>, and the angle bisector of angle <math>B</math> intersects <math> \overline{AC} </math> at point <math>K</math>. Let <math>M</math> and <math>N</math> be the feet of the perpendiculars from <math>C</math> to <math> \overline{BK}</math> and <math> \overline{AL}</math>, respectively. Find <math>MN</math>.
 
In triangle <math>ABC</math>, <math>AB=125</math>, <math>AC=117</math> and <math>BC=120</math>. The angle bisector of angle <math>A</math> intersects <math> \overline{BC} </math> at point <math>L</math>, and the angle bisector of angle <math>B</math> intersects <math> \overline{AC} </math> at point <math>K</math>. Let <math>M</math> and <math>N</math> be the feet of the perpendiculars from <math>C</math> to <math> \overline{BK}</math> and <math> \overline{AL}</math>, respectively. Find <math>MN</math>.
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== Solution ==
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Extend <math>{MN}</math> such that it intersects lines <math>{AC}</math> and <math>{BC}</math> at points <math>O</math> and <math>Q</math>, respectively. Notice that <math>{OQ}</math> is a midline; it then follows that <math>{OC} = 58.5</math> and <math>{QC} = 60</math>. Now notice that <math>\triangle MQC</math> and <math>\triangle NOC</math> are both isosceles. Thus, <math>ON = OC = 58.5</math> and <math>MQ = QC = 60</math>. Since <math>OQ</math> is a midline, <math>OQ = 62.5</math>. We want to find <math>MN</math>, which is just <math>ON + MQ - OQ</math>.
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Substituting, the answer is <math>58.5 + 60 - 62.5 = \boxed {56}</math>.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
{{AIME box|year=2011|n=I|num-b=3|num-a=5}}
 
{{AIME box|year=2011|n=I|num-b=3|num-a=5}}

Revision as of 14:22, 6 April 2011

Problem 4

In triangle $ABC$, $AB=125$, $AC=117$ and $BC=120$. The angle bisector of angle $A$ intersects $\overline{BC}$ at point $L$, and the angle bisector of angle $B$ intersects $\overline{AC}$ at point $K$. Let $M$ and $N$ be the feet of the perpendiculars from $C$ to $\overline{BK}$ and $\overline{AL}$, respectively. Find $MN$.


Solution

Extend ${MN}$ such that it intersects lines ${AC}$ and ${BC}$ at points $O$ and $Q$, respectively. Notice that ${OQ}$ is a midline; it then follows that ${OC} = 58.5$ and ${QC} = 60$. Now notice that $\triangle MQC$ and $\triangle NOC$ are both isosceles. Thus, $ON = OC = 58.5$ and $MQ = QC = 60$. Since $OQ$ is a midline, $OQ = 62.5$. We want to find $MN$, which is just $ON + MQ - OQ$.

Substituting, the answer is $58.5 + 60 - 62.5 = \boxed {56}$.

See also

2011 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 3 		Followed by
Problem 5
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions
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