Difference between revisions of "2021 Fall AMC 10A Problems/Problem 17"

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==Solution 2==
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Let the height of the pillar at <math>D</math> be <math>x.</math> Notice that the difference between the heights of pillar <math>C</math> and pillar <math>D</math> is equal to the difference between the heights of pillar <math>A</math> and pillar <math>F.</math> So, the height at <math>F</math> is <math>x+2.</math> Now, doing the same thing for pillar <math>E</math> we get the height is <math>x+3.</math> Therefore, we can see the difference between the heights at pillar <math>C</math> and pillar <math>D</math> is half the difference between the heights at <math>B</math> and <math>E,</math> so
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<cmath>x+3-9=2 \cdot (x-10) \implies x-6=2 \cdot (x-10) \implies x=14 \implies x+3=\boxed{17}.</cmath>
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- kante314

Revision as of 21:06, 22 November 2021

Problem

An architect is building a structure that will place vertical pillars at the vertices of regular hexagon $ABCDEF$, which is lying horizontally on the ground. The six pillars will hold up a flat solar panel that will not be parallel to the ground. The heights of pillars at $A$, $B$, and $C$ are $12$, $9$, and $10$ meters, respectively. What is the height, in meters, of the pillar at $E$?

$\textbf{(A) }9 \qquad\textbf{(B) } 6\sqrt{3} \qquad\textbf{(C) } 8\sqrt{3} \qquad\textbf{(D) } 17 \qquad\textbf{(E) }12\sqrt{3}$

Solution

Since the pillar at $B$ has height $9$ and the pillar at $A$ has height $10$ and the solar panel is flat, the inclination from pillar $A$ to pillar $B$ would be $1$. Call the center of the hexagon $G$. Since $CG$ is parallel to $BA$, $G$ has a height of $13$. Since the solar panel is flat, $BGE$ should be a straight line and therefore, E has a height of $9+4+4$ = $\boxed {(D) 17}$.

~Arcticturn

Solution 2

Let the height of the pillar at $D$ be $x.$ Notice that the difference between the heights of pillar $C$ and pillar $D$ is equal to the difference between the heights of pillar $A$ and pillar $F.$ So, the height at $F$ is $x+2.$ Now, doing the same thing for pillar $E$ we get the height is $x+3.$ Therefore, we can see the difference between the heights at pillar $C$ and pillar $D$ is half the difference between the heights at $B$ and $E,$ so \[x+3-9=2 \cdot (x-10) \implies x-6=2 \cdot (x-10) \implies x=14 \implies x+3=\boxed{17}.\]

- kante314