Difference between revisions of "2011 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 16"

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==Problem==
 
Let <math>A</math> be the area of the triangle with sides of length <math>25, 25</math>, and <math>30</math>. Let <math>B</math> be the area of the triangle with sides of length <math>25, 25,</math> and <math>40</math>. What is the relationship between <math>A</math> and <math>B</math>?
 
Let <math>A</math> be the area of the triangle with sides of length <math>25, 25</math>, and <math>30</math>. Let <math>B</math> be the area of the triangle with sides of length <math>25, 25,</math> and <math>40</math>. What is the relationship between <math>A</math> and <math>B</math>?
  
<math> \textbf{(A) } A = \dfrac9{16}B \qquad\textbf{(B) } A = \dfrac34B \qquad\textbf{(C) } A=B \qquad\textbf{(D) } A = \dfrac43B \\ \\ \textbf{(E) }A = \dfrac{16}9B </math>
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<math> \textbf{(A) } A = \dfrac9{16}B \qquad\textbf{(B) } A = \dfrac34B \qquad\textbf{(C) } A=B \qquad \textbf{(D) } A = \dfrac43B \qquad \textbf{(E) }A = \dfrac{16}9B </math>
  
==Solution==
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==Solution 1 (Using the Pythagorean Theorem)==
 
'''25-25-30'''
 
'''25-25-30'''
  
 
We can draw the altitude for the side with length 30. By HL Congruence, the two triangles formed are congruent. Thus the altitude splits the side with length 30 into two segments with length 15. By the [[Pythagorean Theorem]], we have  
 
We can draw the altitude for the side with length 30. By HL Congruence, the two triangles formed are congruent. Thus the altitude splits the side with length 30 into two segments with length 15. By the [[Pythagorean Theorem]], we have  
 
<cmath> 15^2 + x^2 =25^2 </cmath>
 
<cmath> 15^2 + x^2 =25^2 </cmath>
<cmath> \x^2 = 25^2 - 15^2</cmath>
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<cmath> x^2 = 25^2 - 15^2</cmath>
 
<cmath>x^2 = (25 + 15)(25-15)</cmath>
 
<cmath>x^2 = (25 + 15)(25-15)</cmath>
 
<cmath>x^2= 40\cdot 10</cmath>
 
<cmath>x^2= 40\cdot 10</cmath>
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We can draw the altitude for the side with length 40. By HL Congruence, the two triangles formed are congruent. Thus the altitude splits the side with length 40 into two segments with length 20. From the 25-25-30 case, we know that the other side length is 15, so we have two 15-20-25 right triangles.
 
We can draw the altitude for the side with length 40. By HL Congruence, the two triangles formed are congruent. Thus the altitude splits the side with length 40 into two segments with length 20. From the 25-25-30 case, we know that the other side length is 15, so we have two 15-20-25 right triangles.
 
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Let the area of a 15-20-25 right triangle be <math>x</math>.
Let the area of a 15-20-25 right triangle be <cmath>x</cmath>.
 
 
<cmath>a = 2x</cmath>
 
<cmath>a = 2x</cmath>
 
<cmath> b = 2x</cmath>
 
<cmath> b = 2x</cmath>
<cmath>\textbf{C) }\boxed{a = b} </cmath>
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<cmath>\boxed{\textbf{(C) } A = B} </cmath>
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==Solution 2 (Using Heron's Formula)==
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Using Heron's formula, we can calculate the area of the two triangles. The formula states that
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<cmath>A = \sqrt{s(s - a)(s - b)(s - c)}</cmath>
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where <math>s</math> is the semiperimeter of a triangle with side lengths <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, and <math>c</math>.
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For the 25-25-30 triangle, <cmath>s = \frac{25 + 25 + 30}{2} = 40</cmath>Therefore,
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<cmath>A = \sqrt{40 \cdot 15 \cdot 15 \cdot 10} = 300</cmath>
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For the 25-25-40 triangle, <cmath>s = \frac{25 + 25 + 40}{2} = 45</cmath>Therefore,
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<cmath>B = \sqrt{45 \cdot 20 \cdot 20 \cdot 5} = 300</cmath>
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Hence, <cmath>A = B \hspace{0.15in} \Longrightarrow \hspace{0.15in} \boxed{\textbf{(C)}}</cmath>
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==Video Solution 1==
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYn6tNxrWBU
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~ by ==SpreadtheMathLove==
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==Video Solution by WhyMath==
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https://youtu.be/UjACHET8l3E
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
 
{{AMC8 box|year=2011|num-b=15|num-a=17}}
 
{{AMC8 box|year=2011|num-b=15|num-a=17}}
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{{MAA Notice}}

Latest revision as of 10:06, 18 November 2024

Problem

Let $A$ be the area of the triangle with sides of length $25, 25$, and $30$. Let $B$ be the area of the triangle with sides of length $25, 25,$ and $40$. What is the relationship between $A$ and $B$?

$\textbf{(A) } A = \dfrac9{16}B \qquad\textbf{(B) } A = \dfrac34B \qquad\textbf{(C) } A=B \qquad \textbf{(D) } A = \dfrac43B \qquad \textbf{(E) }A = \dfrac{16}9B$

Solution 1 (Using the Pythagorean Theorem)

25-25-30

We can draw the altitude for the side with length 30. By HL Congruence, the two triangles formed are congruent. Thus the altitude splits the side with length 30 into two segments with length 15. By the Pythagorean Theorem, we have \[15^2 + x^2 =25^2\] \[x^2 = 25^2 - 15^2\] \[x^2 = (25 + 15)(25-15)\] \[x^2= 40\cdot 10\] \[x^2= 400\] \[x = \sqrt{400}\] \[x= 20\]


Thus we have two 15-20-25 right triangles.

25-25-40

We can draw the altitude for the side with length 40. By HL Congruence, the two triangles formed are congruent. Thus the altitude splits the side with length 40 into two segments with length 20. From the 25-25-30 case, we know that the other side length is 15, so we have two 15-20-25 right triangles. Let the area of a 15-20-25 right triangle be $x$. \[a = 2x\] \[b = 2x\] \[\boxed{\textbf{(C) } A = B}\]

Solution 2 (Using Heron's Formula)

Using Heron's formula, we can calculate the area of the two triangles. The formula states that \[A = \sqrt{s(s - a)(s - b)(s - c)}\] where $s$ is the semiperimeter of a triangle with side lengths $a$, $b$, and $c$.

For the 25-25-30 triangle, \[s = \frac{25 + 25 + 30}{2} = 40\]Therefore, \[A = \sqrt{40 \cdot 15 \cdot 15 \cdot 10} = 300\]

For the 25-25-40 triangle, \[s = \frac{25 + 25 + 40}{2} = 45\]Therefore, \[B = \sqrt{45 \cdot 20 \cdot 20 \cdot 5} = 300\]

Hence, \[A = B \hspace{0.15in} \Longrightarrow \hspace{0.15in} \boxed{\textbf{(C)}}\]

Video Solution 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYn6tNxrWBU


~ by ==SpreadtheMathLove==

Video Solution by WhyMath

https://youtu.be/UjACHET8l3E

See Also

2011 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 15
Followed by
Problem 17
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

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