Difference between revisions of "1964 AHSME Problems/Problem 38"

(Solution)
 
(5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 5: Line 5:
 
<math>\textbf{(A) }6\qquad\textbf{(B) }7\qquad\textbf{(C) }8\qquad\textbf{(D) }9\qquad \textbf{(E) }10</math>
 
<math>\textbf{(A) }6\qquad\textbf{(B) }7\qquad\textbf{(C) }8\qquad\textbf{(D) }9\qquad \textbf{(E) }10</math>
  
 +
==Solution==
 +
By the [[Median Formula]], <math>PM = \frac12\sqrt{2PQ^2+2PR^2-QR^2}</math>
 +
 +
Plugging in the numbers given in the problem, we get
 +
<cmath>\frac72=\frac12\sqrt{2\cdot4^2+2\cdot7^2-QR^2}</cmath>
 +
 +
Solving,
 +
<cmath>7=\sqrt{2(16)+2(49)-QR^2}</cmath>
 +
<cmath>49=32+98-QR^2</cmath>
 +
<cmath>QR^2=81</cmath>
 +
<cmath>QR=9=\boxed{D}</cmath>
 +
 +
-AOPS81619
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Latest revision as of 17:17, 9 March 2020

Problem

The sides $PQ$ and $PR$ of triangle $PQR$ are respectively of lengths $4$ inches, and $7$ inches. The median $PM$ is $3\frac{1}{2}$ inches. Then $QR$, in inches, is:

$\textbf{(A) }6\qquad\textbf{(B) }7\qquad\textbf{(C) }8\qquad\textbf{(D) }9\qquad \textbf{(E) }10$

Solution

By the Median Formula, $PM = \frac12\sqrt{2PQ^2+2PR^2-QR^2}$

Plugging in the numbers given in the problem, we get \[\frac72=\frac12\sqrt{2\cdot4^2+2\cdot7^2-QR^2}\]

Solving, \[7=\sqrt{2(16)+2(49)-QR^2}\] \[49=32+98-QR^2\] \[QR^2=81\] \[QR=9=\boxed{D}\]

-AOPS81619

See Also

1964 AHSC (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 37
Followed by
Problem 39
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
All AHSME Problems and Solutions

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