# 2012 AIME I Problems/Problem 14

## Problem 14

Complex numbers $a,$ $b,$ and $c$ are zeros of a polynomial $P(z) = z^3 + qz + r,$ and $|a|^2 + |b|^2 + |c|^2 = 250.$ The points corresponding to $a,$ $b,$ and $c$ in the complex plane are the vertices of a right triangle with hypotenuse $h.$ Find $h^2.$

## Solution

Since $q$ and $r$ are real, at least one of $a,$ $b,$ and $c$ must be real, with the remaining roots being pairs of complex conjugates. Without loss of generality, we assume $a$ is real and $b$ and $c$ are $x + yi$ and $x - yi$ respectively. By symmetry, the triangle described by $a,$ $b,$ and $c$ must be isosceles and is thus an isosceles right triangle with hypotenuse $\overline{ab}.$ Now since $P(z)$ has no $z^2$ term, we must have $a+b+c = a + (x + yi) + (x - yi) = 0$ and thus $a = -2x.$ Also, since the length of the altitude from the right angle of an isosceles triangle is half the length of the hypotenuse, $a-x=y$ and thus $y=-3x.$ We can then solve for $x$:

\begin{align*} |a|^2 + |b|^2 + |c|^2 &= 250\\ |-2x|^2 + |x-3xi|^2 + |x+3xi|^2 &= 250\\ 4x^2 + (x^2 + 9x^2) + (x^2 + 9x^2) &= 250\\ x^2 &= \frac{250}{24} \end{align*}

Now $h$ is the distance between $b$ and $c,$ so $h = 2y = -6x$ and then $h^2 = 36x^2 = 36 \cdot \frac{250}{24} = \boxed{375.}$

## Solution 2

This is a more geometric solution. By Vieta's formula, the sum of the roots is equal to 0, or $a+b+c=0$. Therefore, $\frac{(a+b+c)}{3}=0$. Because the centroid of any triangle is the average of its vertices, the centroid of this triangle is the origin. Let one leg of the right triangle be $x$ and the other leg be $y$. Without the loss of generality, let $\overline{ac}$ be the hypotenuse. The magnitudes of $a$, $b$, and $c$ are just $\frac{2}{3}$ of the medians because the origin, or the centroid in this case, cuts the median in a ratio of $2:1$. So, $|a|^2=\frac{4}{9}\cdot((\frac{x}{2})^2+y^2)=\frac{x^2}{9}+\frac{4y^2}{9}$ because $|a|$ is two thirds of the median from $a$. Similarly, $|c|^2=\frac{4}{9}\cdot(x^2+(\frac{y}{2})^2)=\frac{4x^2}{9}+\frac{y^2}{9}$. The median from $b$ is just half the hypotenuse because the hypotenuse of any right triangle is just half the hypotenuse. So, $|b|^2=\frac{4}{9}\cdot\frac{x^2+y^2}{4}=\frac{x^2}{9}+\frac{y^2}{9}$. Hence, $|a|^2+|b|^2+|c|^2=\frac{6x^2+6y^2}{9}=\frac{2x^2+2y^2}{3}=250$. Therefore, $h^2=x^2+y^2=\frac{3}{2}\cdot250=\boxed{375}$.