Difference between revisions of "2017 AIME I Problems/Problem 4"

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<cmath>V = (192)(25\sqrt{3}/2)/3</cmath>
 
<cmath>V = (192)(25\sqrt{3}/2)/3</cmath>
 
This simplifies to <math>V = 800\sqrt {3}</math>, so <math>m+n = \boxed {803}</math>.
 
This simplifies to <math>V = 800\sqrt {3}</math>, so <math>m+n = \boxed {803}</math>.
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NOTE : If you don’t know or remember the formula for the volume of a triangular pyramid, you can derive it using calculus as follows :
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Take a small triangular element in the pyramid. We know that it’s area is proportional to the height from the vertex to the base. Hence, we know that <math>\frac{A_{small element}}{A} = \frac{h^2}{H^2} \implies A_{small element} = \frac{Ah^2}{H^2}</math>. Now integrate it taking the limits <math>0</math> to <math>H</math>
  
 
==Shortcut==
 
==Shortcut==

Revision as of 06:59, 28 December 2020

Problem 4

A pyramid has a triangular base with side lengths $20$, $20$, and $24$. The three edges of the pyramid from the three corners of the base to the fourth vertex of the pyramid all have length $25$. The volume of the pyramid is $m\sqrt{n}$, where $m$ and $n$ are positive integers, and $n$ is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find $m+n$.

Solution

Let the triangular base be $\triangle ABC$, with $\overline {AB} = 24$. We find that the altitude to side $\overline {AB}$ is $16$, so the area of $\triangle ABC$ is $(24*16)/2 = 192$.

Let the fourth vertex of the tetrahedron be $P$, and let the midpoint of $\overline {AB}$ be $M$. Since $P$ is equidistant from $A$, $B$, and $C$, the line through $P$ perpendicular to the plane of $\triangle ABC$ will pass through the circumcenter of $\triangle ABC$, which we will call $O$. Note that $O$ is equidistant from each of $A$, $B$, and $C$. Then,

\[\overline {OM} + \overline {OC} = \overline {CM} = 16\]

Let $\overline {OM} = d$. Equation $(1)$: \[d + \sqrt {d^2 + 144} = 16\]

Squaring both sides, we have

\[d^2 + 144 + 2d\sqrt {d^2+144} + d^2 = 256\]

\[2d^2 + 2d\sqrt {d^2+144} = 112\]

\[2d(d + \sqrt {d^2+144}) = 112\]

Substituting with equation $(1)$:

\[2d(16) = 112\]

\[d = 7/2\]

We now find that $\sqrt{d^2 + 144} = 25/2$.

Let the distance $\overline {OP} = h$. Using the Pythagorean Theorem on triangle $AOP$, $BOP$, or $COP$ (all three are congruent by SSS):

\[25^2 = h^2 + (25/2)^2\]

\[625 = h^2 + 625/4\]

\[1875/4 = h^2\]

\[25\sqrt {3} / 2 = h\]


Finally, by the formula for volume of a pyramid,

\[V = Bh/3\]

\[V = (192)(25\sqrt{3}/2)/3\] This simplifies to $V = 800\sqrt {3}$, so $m+n = \boxed {803}$.


NOTE : If you don’t know or remember the formula for the volume of a triangular pyramid, you can derive it using calculus as follows :

Take a small triangular element in the pyramid. We know that it’s area is proportional to the height from the vertex to the base. Hence, we know that $\frac{A_{small element}}{A} = \frac{h^2}{H^2} \implies A_{small element} = \frac{Ah^2}{H^2}$. Now integrate it taking the limits $0$ to $H$

Shortcut

Here is a shortcut for finding the radius $R$ of the circumcenter of $\triangle ABC$.

As before, we find that the foot of the altitude from $P$ lands on the circumcenter of $\triangle ABC$. Let $BC=a$, $AC=b$, and $AB=c$. Then we write the area of $\triangle ABC$ in two ways: \[[ABC]= \frac{1}{2} \cdot 24 \cdot 16 = \frac{abc}{4R}\]

Plugging in $20$, $20$, and $24$ for $a$, $b$, and $c$ respectively, and solving for $R$, we obtain $R= \frac{25}{2}=OA=OB=OC$.

Then continue as before to use the Pythagorean Theorem on $\triangle AOP$, find $h$, and find the volume of the pyramid.

Solution 2 (Coordinates)

We can place a three dimensional coordinate system on this pyramid. WLOG assume the vertex across from the line that has length $24$ is at the origin, or $(0, 0, 0)$. Then, the two other vertices can be $(-12, -16, 0)$ and $(12, -16, 0)$. Let the fourth vertex have coordinates of $(x, y, z)$. We have the following $3$ equations from the distance formula.

\[x^2+y^2+z^2=625\]

\[(x+12)^2+(y+16)^2+z^2=625\]

\[(x-12)^2+(y+16)^2+z^2=625\]

Adding the last two equations and substituting in the first equation, we get that $y=-\frac{25}{2}$. If you drew a good diagram, it should be obvious that $x=0$. Now, solving for $z$, we get that $z=\frac{25\sqrt{3}}{2}$. So, the height of the pyramid is $\frac{25\sqrt{3}}{2}$. The base is equal to the area of the triangle, which is $\frac{1}{2} \cdot 24 \cdot 16 = 192$. The volume is $\frac{1}{3} \cdot 192 \cdot \frac{25\sqrt{3}}{2} = 800\sqrt{3}$. Thus, the answer is $800+3 = \boxed{803}$.

-RootThreeOverTwo

Solution 3 (Heron's Formula)

Label the four vertices of the tetrahedron and the midpoint of $\overline {AB}$, and notice that the area of the base of the tetrahedron, $\triangle ABC$, equals $192$, according to Solution 1.

Notice that the altitude of $\triangle CPM$ from $\overline {CM}$ to point $P$ is the height of the tetrahedron. Side $\overline {PM}$ is can be found using the Pythagorean Theorem on $\triangle APM$, giving us $\overline {PM}=\sqrt{481}.$

Using Heron's Formula, the area of $\triangle CPM$ can be written as \[\sqrt{\frac{41+\sqrt{481}}{2}(\frac{41+\sqrt{481}}{2}-16)(\frac{41+\sqrt{481}}{2}-25)(\frac{41+\sqrt{481}}{2}-\sqrt{481})}\] \[=\frac{\sqrt{(41+\sqrt{481})(9+\sqrt{481})(-9+\sqrt{481})(41-\sqrt{481})}}{4}\]

Notice that both $(41+\sqrt{481})(41-\sqrt{481})$ and $(9+\sqrt{481})(-9+\sqrt{481})$ can be rewritten as differences of squares; thus, the expression can be written as \[\frac{\sqrt{(41^2-481)(481-9^2)}}{4}=\frac{\sqrt{480000}}{4}=100\sqrt{3}.\]

From this, we can determine the height of both $\triangle CPM$ and tetrahedron $ABCP$ to be $\frac{100\sqrt{3}}{8}$; therefore, the volume of the tetrahedron equals $\frac{100\sqrt{3}}{8} \cdot 192=800\sqrt{3}$; thus, $m+n=800+3=\boxed{803}.$

-dzhou100

Video Solution

https://youtu.be/Mk-MCeVjSGc ~Shreyas S

See Also

2017 AIME I (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
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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