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Difference between revisions of "Mock Geometry AIME 2011 Problems/Problem 4"

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Let <math>s</math> be the side length of <math>BPQ</math>. The height of an equilateral triangle is given by the formula <math>\frac{s\sqrt3}{2}</math>. Then <math>BH=\frac{s\sqrt{3}}{2}=\frac{9\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{19}}</math>. Solving for <math>s</math> yields <math>s=\frac{18}{\sqrt{19}}</math>. Then the perimeter of the triangle is <math>3s=\frac{54}{\sqrt{19}}</math> and <math>m+n=54+19=\boxed{073}</math>.
 
Let <math>s</math> be the side length of <math>BPQ</math>. The height of an equilateral triangle is given by the formula <math>\frac{s\sqrt3}{2}</math>. Then <math>BH=\frac{s\sqrt{3}}{2}=\frac{9\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{19}}</math>. Solving for <math>s</math> yields <math>s=\frac{18}{\sqrt{19}}</math>. Then the perimeter of the triangle is <math>3s=\frac{54}{\sqrt{19}}</math> and <math>m+n=54+19=\boxed{073}</math>.
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===Solution 2===
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Let <math>\angle A = \alpha</math> and <math>BP = PQ = QB = x</math>. By the Law of Cosines, <math>AC = 3\sqrt{19}</math>. It is easy to see that <math>\angle APB = 120^\circ</math>. Since <math>\angle ABC = 120^\circ</math>, by AA similarity<math>\triangle ABC \sim \triangle APB</math>. From this, we have: <cmath>\frac{AB}{PB} = \frac{AC}{BC}</cmath> <cmath>\frac{6}{x}=\frac{3\sqrt{19}}{9}</cmath> Solving, we find that <math>x = \frac{18}{\sqrt{19}}</math>, so the perimeter is <math>3x = \frac{54}{\sqrt{19}}</math>, and our answer is <math>m+n=\boxed{73}</math>

Revision as of 17:33, 15 June 2017

Problem

In triangle $ABC,$ $AB=6, BC=9, \angle ABC=120^{\circ}$ Let $P$ and $Q$ be points on $AC$ such that $BPQ$ is equilateral. The perimeter of $BPQ$ can be expressed in the form $\frac{m} {\sqrt{n}},$ where $m,n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m+n.$

Solution

[asy] unitsize(1cm); draw((0,3sqrt(3))--(3,0)--(12,0)--cycle); draw((3,0)--(84/19,36sqrt(3)/19)); draw((3,0)--(48/19, 4.10223)); draw((3,0)--(120/19,2.46134)); label("$A$",(0,3sqrt(3)),NNW); label("$B$",(3,0),SW); label("$C$",(12,0),ESE); label("$P$",(48/19,4.10223),NNE); label("$Q$",(120/19,2.46134),NE); label("$H$",(84/19,36sqrt(3)/19),NNE); [/asy]

Let $H$ be the midpoint of $PQ$. It follows that $BH$ is perpendicular to $PQ$ and to $AC$. The area of $\Delta ABC$ can then be calculated two different ways: $\frac{1}{2}*AB*BC*\sin{B}$, and $\frac{BH*AC}{2}$.


By the Law of Cosines, $AC^2=9^2+6^2-2*9*6\cos{120}=171$ and so $AC=3\sqrt{19}$. Therefore, $[ABC]=\frac{1}{2}*6*9\sin{120}=\frac{3\sqrt{19}BH}{2}$. Solving for $BH$ yields $BH=\frac{9\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{19}}$.

Let $s$ be the side length of $BPQ$. The height of an equilateral triangle is given by the formula $\frac{s\sqrt3}{2}$. Then $BH=\frac{s\sqrt{3}}{2}=\frac{9\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{19}}$. Solving for $s$ yields $s=\frac{18}{\sqrt{19}}$. Then the perimeter of the triangle is $3s=\frac{54}{\sqrt{19}}$ and $m+n=54+19=\boxed{073}$.

Solution 2

Let $\angle A = \alpha$ and $BP = PQ = QB = x$. By the Law of Cosines, $AC = 3\sqrt{19}$. It is easy to see that $\angle APB = 120^\circ$. Since $\angle ABC = 120^\circ$, by AA similarity$\triangle ABC \sim \triangle APB$. From this, we have: \[\frac{AB}{PB} = \frac{AC}{BC}\] \[\frac{6}{x}=\frac{3\sqrt{19}}{9}\] Solving, we find that $x = \frac{18}{\sqrt{19}}$, so the perimeter is $3x = \frac{54}{\sqrt{19}}$, and our answer is $m+n=\boxed{73}$

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