Difference between revisions of "2016 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 21"

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<math>\textbf{(A) } 0\qquad \textbf{(B) } \sqrt{\frac{2}{3}}\qquad\textbf{(C) } 1\qquad\textbf{(D) } \sqrt{6}-\sqrt{2}\qquad\textbf{(E) }\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}</math>
 
<math>\textbf{(A) } 0\qquad \textbf{(B) } \sqrt{\frac{2}{3}}\qquad\textbf{(C) } 1\qquad\textbf{(D) } \sqrt{6}-\sqrt{2}\qquad\textbf{(E) }\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}</math>
  
==Solution== [edit]
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==Solution==  
  
 
Notice that we can find <math>[P'PQRR']</math> in two different ways: <math>[P'PQQ']+[Q'QRR']</math> and <math>[PQR]+[P'PRR']</math>, so <math>[P'PQQ']+[Q'QRR']=[PQR]+[P'PRR']</math>       
 
Notice that we can find <math>[P'PQRR']</math> in two different ways: <math>[P'PQQ']+[Q'QRR']</math> and <math>[PQR]+[P'PRR']</math>, so <math>[P'PQQ']+[Q'QRR']=[PQR]+[P'PRR']</math>       

Revision as of 22:13, 3 February 2016

Circles with centers $P, Q$ and $R$, having radii $1, 2$ and $3$, respectively, lie on the same side of line $l$ and are tangent to $l$ at $P', Q'$ and $R'$, respectively, with $Q'$ between $P'$ and $R'$. The circle with center $Q$ is externally tangent to each of the other two circles. What is the area of triangle $PQR$?

$\textbf{(A) } 0\qquad \textbf{(B) } \sqrt{\frac{2}{3}}\qquad\textbf{(C) } 1\qquad\textbf{(D) } \sqrt{6}-\sqrt{2}\qquad\textbf{(E) }\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}$

Solution

Notice that we can find $[P'PQRR']$ in two different ways: $[P'PQQ']+[Q'QRR']$ and $[PQR]+[P'PRR']$, so $[P'PQQ']+[Q'QRR']=[PQR]+[P'PRR']$ $\break$

Thus, these are equal. $P'Q'=\sqrt{PQ^2-(QQ'-PP')^2}=\sqrt{9-1}=\sqrt{8}=2\sqrt{2}$. Additionally, $Q'R'=\sqrt{QR^2-(RR'-QQ')^2}=\sqrt{5^2-1^2}=\sqrt{24}=2\sqrt{6}$. Therefore, $[P'PQQ']=\frac{P'P+Q'Q}{2}*2\sqrt{2}=\frac{1+2}{2}*2\sqrt{2}=3\sqrt{2}$. Similarly, $[Q'QRR']=5\sqrt6$. We can calculate $[P'PRR']$ easily because $P'R'=P'Q'+Q'R'=2\sqrt{2}+2\sqrt{6}$. $[P'PRR']=4\sqrt{2}+4\sqrt{6}$. $\newline$

Plugging into first equation, the two sums of areas, $3\sqrt{2}+5\sqrt{6}=4\sqrt{2}+4\sqrt{6}+[PQR]$. $\newline$

$[PQR]=\sqrt{6}-\sqrt{2}\rightarrow \fbox{D}$.

See Also

2016 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 20
Followed by
Problem 22
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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