Difference between revisions of "2015 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 13"

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We find the x-intercepts and the y-intercepts to find the intersections of the axes and the line. If <math>x=0</math>, then <math>y=12</math>. If <math>y</math> is <math>0</math>, then <math>x=5</math>. Our three vertices are <math>(0,0)</math>, <math>(5,0)</math>, and <math>(0,12)</math>. Two of our altitudes are <math>5</math> and <math>12</math>. Since the area of the triangle is <math>30</math>, our final altitude has to be <math>30</math> divided by the hypotenuse. By the Pythagorean Theorem, our hypotenuse is <math>13</math>, so the sum of our altitudes is <math>\boxed{281/13}</math>.
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==Problem 13==
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The line <math>12x+5y=60</math> forms a triangle with the coordinate axes. What is the sum of the lengths of the altitudes of this triangle?
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<math>\textbf{(A) } 20 \qquad\textbf{(B) } \dfrac{360}{17} \qquad\textbf{(C) } \dfrac{107}{5} \qquad\textbf{(D) } \dfrac{43}{2} \qquad\textbf{(E) } \dfrac{281}{13} </math>
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==Solution==
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We find the x-intercepts and the y-intercepts to find the intersections of the axes and the line. If <math>x=0</math>, then <math>y=12</math>. If <math>y</math> is <math>0</math>, then <math>x=5</math>. Our three vertices are <math>(0,0)</math>, <math>(5,0)</math>, and <math>(0,12)</math>. Two of our altitudes are <math>5</math> and <math>12</math>. Since the area of the triangle is <math>30</math>, our final altitude has to be <math>30</math> divided by the hypotenuse. By the Pythagorean Theorem, our hypotenuse is <math>13</math>, so the sum of our altitudes is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(E)} 281/13}</math>.

Revision as of 00:22, 4 March 2015

Problem 13

The line $12x+5y=60$ forms a triangle with the coordinate axes. What is the sum of the lengths of the altitudes of this triangle?

$\textbf{(A) } 20 \qquad\textbf{(B) } \dfrac{360}{17} \qquad\textbf{(C) } \dfrac{107}{5} \qquad\textbf{(D) } \dfrac{43}{2} \qquad\textbf{(E) } \dfrac{281}{13}$

Solution

We find the x-intercepts and the y-intercepts to find the intersections of the axes and the line. If $x=0$, then $y=12$. If $y$ is $0$, then $x=5$. Our three vertices are $(0,0)$, $(5,0)$, and $(0,12)$. Two of our altitudes are $5$ and $12$. Since the area of the triangle is $30$, our final altitude has to be $30$ divided by the hypotenuse. By the Pythagorean Theorem, our hypotenuse is $13$, so the sum of our altitudes is $\boxed{\textbf{(E)} 281/13}$.