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

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<math>(\textbf{A})\: 5x+2y=0\qquad(\textbf{B}) \: 3x+2y=0\qquad(\textbf{C}) \: x-3y=0\qquad(\textbf{D}) \: 2x-3y=0\qquad(\textbf{E}) \: 5x-3y=0</math>
 
<math>(\textbf{A})\: 5x+2y=0\qquad(\textbf{B}) \: 3x+2y=0\qquad(\textbf{C}) \: x-3y=0\qquad(\textbf{D}) \: 2x-3y=0\qquad(\textbf{E}) \: 5x-3y=0</math>
  
==Solution==
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==Solutions==
  
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===Solution 1===
 
It is well known that the composition of 2 reflections , one after another, about two lines <math>l</math> and <math>m</math>, respectively, that meet at an angle <math>\theta</math> is a rotation by <math>2\theta</math> around the intersection of <math>l</math> and <math>m</math>.  
 
It is well known that the composition of 2 reflections , one after another, about two lines <math>l</math> and <math>m</math>, respectively, that meet at an angle <math>\theta</math> is a rotation by <math>2\theta</math> around the intersection of <math>l</math> and <math>m</math>.  
  

Revision as of 23:38, 23 November 2021

Problem

Distinct lines $\ell$ and $m$ lie in the $xy$-plane. They intersect at the origin. Point $P(-1, 4)$ is reflected about line $\ell$ to point $P'$, and then $P'$ is reflected about line $m$ to point $P''$. The equation of line $\ell$ is $5x - y = 0$, and the coordinates of $P''$ are $(4,1)$. What is the equation of line $m?$

$(\textbf{A})\: 5x+2y=0\qquad(\textbf{B}) \: 3x+2y=0\qquad(\textbf{C}) \: x-3y=0\qquad(\textbf{D}) \: 2x-3y=0\qquad(\textbf{E}) \: 5x-3y=0$

Solutions

Solution 1

It is well known that the composition of 2 reflections , one after another, about two lines $l$ and $m$, respectively, that meet at an angle $\theta$ is a rotation by $2\theta$ around the intersection of $l$ and $m$.

Now, we note that $(4,1)$ is a 90 degree rotation clockwise of $(-1,4)$ about the origin, which is also where $l$ and $m$ intersect. So $m$ is a 45 degree rotation of $l$ about the origin clockwise.

To rotate $l$ 90 degrees clockwise, we build a square with adjacent vertices $(0,0)$ and $(1,5)$. The other two vertices are at $(5,-1)$ and $(6,4)$. The center of the square is at $(3,2)$, which is the midpoint of $(1,5)$ and $(5,-1)$. The line passes through $(0,0)$ and $(3,2)$. Thus the line is $y = \frac{2}{3} x$. The answer is (D) $\boxed{3y - 2x = 0}$.

See Also

2021 Fall AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 16
Followed by
Problem 18
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
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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