Art of Problem Solving
AoPS Online
Math texts, online classes, and more
for students in grades 5-12.
Visit AoPS Online ‚
Books for Grades 5-12 Online Courses
Beast Academy
Engaging math books and online learning
for students ages 6-13.
Visit Beast Academy ‚
Books for Ages 6-13 Beast Academy Online
AoPS Academy
Small live classes for advanced math
and language arts learners in grades 2-12.
Visit AoPS Academy ‚
Find a Physical Campus Visit the Virtual Campus

Difference between revisions of "2015 AIME II Problems/Problem 7"

(→‎Solution #2)
(→‎Solution #2)
Line 28: Line 28:
  
 
==Solution #2==
 
==Solution #2==
−
Diagram:
+
Diagram:\\
 
(Diagram goes here)
 
(Diagram goes here)
−
 
+
\\
−
Similar triangles can also solve the problem.
+
Similar triangles can also solve the problem.\\
−
First, solve for the area of the triangle. <math>[ABC] = 90</math>. This can be done by Heron's Formula or placing an <math>8-15-17</math> right triangle on <math>BC</math> and solving. (The <math>8</math> side would be collinear with line <math>AB</math>)
+
First, solve for the area of the triangle. <math>[ABC] = 90</math>. This can be done by Heron's Formula or placing an <math>8-15-17</math> right triangle on <math>BC</math> and solving. (The <math>8</math> side would be collinear with line <math>AB</math>)\\
 
After finding the area, solve for the altitude to <math>BC</math>. Let <math>E</math> be the intersection of the altitude from <math>A</math> and side <math>BC</math>. Then <math>AE = \frac{36}{5}</math>.  
 
After finding the area, solve for the altitude to <math>BC</math>. Let <math>E</math> be the intersection of the altitude from <math>A</math> and side <math>BC</math>. Then <math>AE = \frac{36}{5}</math>.  
−
Solving for <math>BE</math> using the Pythagorean Formula, we get <math>BE = \frac{48}{5}</math>. We then know that <math>CE = \frac{77}{5}</math>.
+
Solving for <math>BE</math> using the Pythagorean Formula, we get <math>BE = \frac{48}{5}</math>. We then know that <math>CE = \frac{77}{5}</math>.\\
−
Now consider the rectangle <math>PQRS</math>. Since <math>SR</math> is collinear with <math>BC</math> and parallel to <math>PQ</math>, <math>PQ</math> is parallel to <math>BC</math> meaning <math>\Delta APQ</math> is similar to <math>\Delta ABC</math>.  
+
Now consider the rectangle <math>PQRS</math>. Since <math>SR</math> is collinear with <math>BC</math> and parallel to <math>PQ</math>, <math>PQ</math> is parallel to <math>BC</math> meaning <math>\Delta APQ</math> is similar to <math>\Delta ABC</math>. \\
−
Let <math>F</math> be the intersection between <math>AE</math> and <math>PQ</math>. By the similar triangles, we know that <math>\frac{PF}{FQ}=\frac{BE}{EC} = \frac{48}{77}</math>. Since <math>PF+FQ=PQ=\omega</math>. We can solve for <math>PF</math> and <math>FQ</math> in terms of <math>\omega</math>. We get that <math>PF=\frac{48}{125} \omega</math> and <math>FQ=\frac{77}{125} \omega</math>.
+
Let <math>F</math> be the intersection between <math>AE</math> and <math>PQ</math>. By the similar triangles, we know that <math>\frac{PF}{FQ}=\frac{BE}{EC} = \frac{48}{77}</math>. Since <math>PF+FQ=PQ=\omega</math>. We can solve for <math>PF</math> and <math>FQ</math> in terms of <math>\omega</math>. We get that <math>PF=\frac{48}{125} \omega</math> and <math>FQ=\frac{77}{125} \omega</math>.\\
−
Let's work with <math>PF</math>. We know that <math>PQ</math> is parallel to <math>BC</math> so <math>\Delta APF</math> is similar to <math>\Delta ABE</math>. We can set up the proportion:
+
Let's work with <math>PF</math>. We know that <math>PQ</math> is parallel to <math>BC</math> so <math>\Delta APF</math> is similar to <math>\Delta ABE</math>. We can set up the proportion:\\
 
<math>\frac{AF}{PF}=\frac{AE}{BE}=\frac{3}{4}</math>. Solving for <math>AF</math>, <math>AF = \frac{3}{4} PF = \frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{48}{125} \omega = \frac{36}{125} \omega</math>.  
 
<math>\frac{AF}{PF}=\frac{AE}{BE}=\frac{3}{4}</math>. Solving for <math>AF</math>, <math>AF = \frac{3}{4} PF = \frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{48}{125} \omega = \frac{36}{125} \omega</math>.  
−
We can solve for <math>PS</math> then since we know that <math>PS=FE</math> and <math>FE= AE - AF = \frac{36}{5} - \frac{36}{125} \omega</math>.
+
We can solve for <math>PS</math> then since we know that <math>PS=FE</math> and <math>FE= AE - AF = \frac{36}{5} - \frac{36}{125} \omega</math>.\\
−
Therefore, <math>[PQRS] = PQ \cdot PS = \omega (\frac{36}{5} - \frac{36}{125} \omega) = \frac{36}{5}\omega - \frac{36}{125} \omega^2</math>.
+
Therefore, <math>[PQRS] = PQ \cdot PS = \omega (\frac{36}{5} - \frac{36}{125} \omega) = \frac{36}{5}\omega - \frac{36}{125} \omega^2</math>.\\
 
This means that <math>\beta = \frac{36}{125} \Rightarrow (m,n) = (36,125) \Rightarrow m+n = \boxed{161}</math>.
 
This means that <math>\beta = \frac{36}{125} \Rightarrow (m,n) = (36,125) \Rightarrow m+n = \boxed{161}</math>.
  

Revision as of 13:38, 29 March 2015

Problem

Triangle $ABC$ has side lengths $AB = 12$, $BC = 25$, and $CA = 17$. Rectangle $PQRS$ has vertex $P$ on $\overline{AB}$, vertex $Q$ on $\overline{AC}$, and vertices $R$ and $S$ on $\overline{BC}$. In terms of the side length $PQ = w$, the area of $PQRS$ can be expressed as the quadratic polynomial

Area($PQRS$) = $\alpha w - \beta \cdot w^2$.

Then the coefficient $\beta = \frac{m}{n}$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m+n$.

Solution

If $\omega = 25$, the area of rectangle $PQRS$ is $0$, so

\[\alpha\omega - \beta\omega^2 = 25\alpha - 625\beta = 0\]

and $\alpha = 25\beta$. If $\omega = \frac{25}{2}$, we can reflect $APQ$ over PQ, $PBS$ over $PS$, and $QCR$ over $QR$ to completely cover rectangle $PQRS$, so the area of $PQRS$ is half the area of the triangle. Using Heron's formula, since $s = \frac{12 + 17 + 25}{2} = 27$,

\[[ABC] = \sqrt{27 \cdot 15 \cdot 10 \cdot 2} = 90\]

so

\[45 = \alpha\omega - \beta\omega^2 = \frac{625}{2} \beta - \beta\frac{625}{4} = \beta\frac{625}{4}\]

and

\[\beta = \frac{180}{625} = \frac{36}{125}\]

so the answer is $m + n = 36 + 125 = \boxed{161}$.

Solution #2

Diagram:\\ (Diagram goes here) \\ Similar triangles can also solve the problem.\\ First, solve for the area of the triangle. $[ABC] = 90$. This can be done by Heron's Formula or placing an $8-15-17$ right triangle on $BC$ and solving. (The $8$ side would be collinear with line $AB$)\\ After finding the area, solve for the altitude to $BC$. Let $E$ be the intersection of the altitude from $A$ and side $BC$. Then $AE = \frac{36}{5}$. Solving for $BE$ using the Pythagorean Formula, we get $BE = \frac{48}{5}$. We then know that $CE = \frac{77}{5}$.\\ Now consider the rectangle $PQRS$. Since $SR$ is collinear with $BC$ and parallel to $PQ$, $PQ$ is parallel to $BC$ meaning $\Delta APQ$ is similar to $\Delta ABC$. \\ Let $F$ be the intersection between $AE$ and $PQ$. By the similar triangles, we know that $\frac{PF}{FQ}=\frac{BE}{EC} = \frac{48}{77}$. Since $PF+FQ=PQ=\omega$. We can solve for $PF$ and $FQ$ in terms of $\omega$. We get that $PF=\frac{48}{125} \omega$ and $FQ=\frac{77}{125} \omega$.\\ Let's work with $PF$. We know that $PQ$ is parallel to $BC$ so $\Delta APF$ is similar to $\Delta ABE$. We can set up the proportion:\\ $\frac{AF}{PF}=\frac{AE}{BE}=\frac{3}{4}$. Solving for $AF$, $AF = \frac{3}{4} PF = \frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{48}{125} \omega = \frac{36}{125} \omega$. We can solve for $PS$ then since we know that $PS=FE$ and $FE= AE - AF = \frac{36}{5} - \frac{36}{125} \omega$.\\ Therefore, $[PQRS] = PQ \cdot PS = \omega (\frac{36}{5} - \frac{36}{125} \omega) = \frac{36}{5}\omega - \frac{36}{125} \omega^2$.\\ This means that $\beta = \frac{36}{125} \Rightarrow (m,n) = (36,125) \Rightarrow m+n = \boxed{161}$.

See also

2015 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 6 		Followed by
Problem 8
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png

Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=2015_AIME_II_Problems/Problem_7&oldid=69701"