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Difference between revisions of "1999 AHSME Problems/Problem 21"
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== Solution 2 (Alternative to realize that the triangle is Right) ==
 
== Solution 2 (Alternative to realize that the triangle is Right) ==
  
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Click this link for the diagram (NOT TO SCALE): <math>[https://geogebra.org/classic/psg3ugzm Sample diagram]</math>
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Copy the link into the browser to see a diagram (I don't know how to link it and I tried using the brackets, but it didn't work)://geogebra.org/classic/psg3ugzm
  
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Let <math>\circle{O}</math> be the circumcircle of <math>\triangle{XYZ}</math> in the problem, and let the circle have a radius of <math>r</math>. Let <math>XY=20, YZ=21, XZ=29</math>.
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Let <math>\circ{O}</math> be the circumcircle of <math>\triangle{XYZ}</math> in the problem, and let the circle have a radius of <math>r</math>. Let <math>XY=20, YZ=21, XZ=29</math>.
  
 
Using the law of cosines: <math>29^2=20^2+21^2-2*20*21*\cos{XYZ}</math>.
 
Using the law of cosines: <math>29^2=20^2+21^2-2*20*21*\cos{XYZ}</math>.

Revision as of 10:49, 5 December 2022

Problem

A circle is circumscribed about a triangle with sides $20,21,$ and $29,$ thus dividing the interior of the circle into four regions. Let $A,B,$ and $C$ be the areas of the non-triangular regions, with $C$ be the largest. Then

$\mathrm{(A) \ }A+B=C \qquad \mathrm{(B) \ }A+B+210=C \qquad \mathrm{(C) \ }A^2+B^2=C^2 \qquad \mathrm{(D) \ }20A+21B=29C \qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } \frac 1{A^2}+\frac 1{B^2}= \frac 1{C^2}$

Solution

$20^2 + 21^2 = 841 = 29^2$. Therefore the triangle is a right triangle. But then its hypotenuse is a diameter of the circumcircle, and thus $C$ is exactly one half of the circle. Moreover, the area of the triangle is $\frac{20\cdot 21}{2} = 210$. Therefore the area of the other half of the circumcircle can be expressed as $A+B+210$. Thus the answer is $\boxed{\mathrm{(B)}}$.

To complete the solution, note that $\mathrm{(A)}$ is clearly false. As $A+B < C$, we have $A^2 + B^2 < (A+B)^2 < C^2$ and thus $\mathrm{(C)}$ is false. Similarly $20A + 21B < 21(A+B) < 21C < 29C$, thus $\mathrm{(D)}$ is false. And finally, since $0<A<C$, $\frac 1{C^2} < \frac1{A^2} < \frac 1{A^2} + \frac 1{B^2}$, thus $\mathrm{(E)}$ is false as well.

Solution 2 (Alternative to realize that the triangle is Right)

Copy the link into the browser to see a diagram (I don't know how to link it and I tried using the brackets, but it didn't work)://geogebra.org/classic/psg3ugzm

Let $\circ{O}$ be the circumcircle of $\triangle{XYZ}$ in the problem, and let the circle have a radius of $r$. Let $XY=20, YZ=21, XZ=29$.

Using the law of cosines: $29^2=20^2+21^2-2*20*21*\cos{XYZ}$.

Thus $\cos{XYZ}=0$, thus the triangle is right. Thus follow as above: "Moreover, the area of the triangle is $\frac{20\cdot 21}{2} = 210$. Therefore the area of the other half of the circumcircle can be expressed as $A+B+210$. Thus the answer is $\boxed{\mathrm{(B)}}$" (I quoted the solution above to show you where to continue).

~hastapasta

See also

1999 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 20 		Followed by
Problem 22
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
All AHSME Problems and Solutions

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