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2008 AIME I Problems/Problem 10

Problem

Let $ABCD$ be an isosceles trapezoid with $\overline{AD}||\overline{BC}$ whose angle at the longer base $\overline{AD}$ is $\dfrac{\pi}{3}$. The diagonals have length $10\sqrt {21}$, and point $E$ is at distances $10\sqrt {7}$ and $30\sqrt {7}$ from vertices $A$ and $D$, respectively. Let $F$ be the foot of the altitude from $C$ to $\overline{AD}$. The distance $EF$ can be expressed in the form $m\sqrt {n}$, where $m$ and $n$ are positive integers and $n$ is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find $m + n$.

Solution 1

[asy] size(300); defaultpen(1); pair A=(0,0), D=(4,0), B= A+2 expi(1/3*pi), C= D+2expi(2/3*pi), E=(-4/3,0), F=(3,0); draw(F--C--B--A); draw(E--A--D--C); draw(A--C,dashed); draw(circle(A,abs(C-A)),dotted); label("\(A\)",A,S); label("\(B\)",B,NW); label("\(C\)",C,NE); label("\(D\)",D,SE); label("\(E\)",E,N); label("\(F\)",F,S); clip(currentpicture,(-1.5,-1)--(5,-1)--(5,3)--(-1.5,3)--cycle); [/asy]

Key observation. $AD = 20\sqrt{7}$.

Proof 1. By the triangle inequality, we can immediately see that $AD \geq 20\sqrt{7}$. However, notice that $10\sqrt{21} = 20\sqrt{7}\cdot\sin\frac{\pi}{3}$, so by the law of sines, when $AD = 20\sqrt{7}$, $\angle ACD$ is right and the circle centered at $A$ with radius $10\sqrt{21}$, which we will call $\omega$, is tangent to $\overline{CD}$. Thus, if $AD$ were increased, $\overline{CD}$ would have to be moved even farther outwards from $A$ to maintain the angle of $\frac{\pi}{3}$ and $\omega$ could not touch it, a contradiction.

Proof 2. Again, use the triangle inequality to obtain $AD \geq 20\sqrt{7}$. Let $x = AD$ and $y = CD$. By the law of cosines on $\triangle ADC$, $2100 = x^2+y^2-xy \iff y^2-xy+(x^2-2100) = 0$. Viewing this as a quadratic in $y$, the discriminant $\Delta$ must satisfy $\Delta = x^2-4(x^2-2100) = 8400-3x^2 \geq 0 \iff x \leq 20\sqrt{7}$. Combining these two inequalities yields the desired conclusion.

This observation tells us that $E$, $A$, and $D$ are collinear, in that order.

Then, $\triangle ADC$ and $\triangle ACF$ are $30-60-90$ triangles. Hence $AF = 15\sqrt {7}$, and

$EF = EA + AF = 10\sqrt {7} + 15\sqrt {7} = 25\sqrt {7}$.

Finally, the answer is $25+7=\boxed{032}$.

Solution 2

Extend $\overline {AB}$ through $B$, to meet $\overline {DC}$ (extended through $C$) at $G$. $ADG$ is an equilateral triangle because of the angle conditions on the base.

If $\overline {GC} = x$ then $\overline {CD} = 40\sqrt{7}-x$, because $\overline{AD}$ and therefore $\overline{GD}$ $= 40\sqrt{7}$.

By simple angle chasing, $CFD$ is a 30-60-90 triangle and thus $\overline{FD} = \frac{40\sqrt{7}-x}{2}$, and $\overline{CF} = \frac{40\sqrt{21} - \sqrt{3}x}{2}$

Similarly $CAF$ is a 30-60-90 triangle and thus $\overline{CF} = \frac{10\sqrt{21}}{2} = 5\sqrt{21}$.

Equating and solving for $x$, $x = 30\sqrt{7}$ and thus $\overline{FD} = \frac{40\sqrt{7}-x}{2} = 5\sqrt{7}$.

$\overline{ED}-\overline{FD} = \overline{EF}$

$30\sqrt{7} - 5\sqrt{7} = 25\sqrt{7}$ and $25 + 7 = \boxed{032}$

How do you assume $\overline{AD}$ $= 40\sqrt{7}$.

~polya_mouse.

See also

2008 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 9 		Followed by
Problem 11
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

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