Difference between revisions of "2017 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 24"

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==Solution 2==
 
==Solution 2==
 
WLOG, let the centroid of <math>\triangle ABC</math> be <math>G = (-1,-1)</math>. Then, one of the vertices must be the other curve of the hyperbola. WLOG, let <math>A = (1,1)</math>. Then, point <math>B</math> must be the reflection of <math>C</math> across the line <math>y=x</math>, so let <math>B = (a,\frac{1}{a})</math> and <math>C=(\frac{1}{a},a)</math>, where <math>a <-1</math>. Because <math>G</math> is the centroid, the average of the <math>x</math>-coordinates of the vertices of the triangle is <math>-1</math>. So we know that <math>a + 1/a+ 1 = -3</math>. Multiplying by <math>a</math> and solving gives us <math>a=-2-\sqrt{3}</math>. So <math>B=(-2-\sqrt{3},-2+\sqrt{3})</math> and <math>C=(-2+\sqrt{3},-2-\sqrt{3})</math>. So <math>BC=2\sqrt{6}</math>, and finding the square of the area gives us <math>\boxed{\textbf{(C) } 108}</math>.
 
WLOG, let the centroid of <math>\triangle ABC</math> be <math>G = (-1,-1)</math>. Then, one of the vertices must be the other curve of the hyperbola. WLOG, let <math>A = (1,1)</math>. Then, point <math>B</math> must be the reflection of <math>C</math> across the line <math>y=x</math>, so let <math>B = (a,\frac{1}{a})</math> and <math>C=(\frac{1}{a},a)</math>, where <math>a <-1</math>. Because <math>G</math> is the centroid, the average of the <math>x</math>-coordinates of the vertices of the triangle is <math>-1</math>. So we know that <math>a + 1/a+ 1 = -3</math>. Multiplying by <math>a</math> and solving gives us <math>a=-2-\sqrt{3}</math>. So <math>B=(-2-\sqrt{3},-2+\sqrt{3})</math> and <math>C=(-2+\sqrt{3},-2-\sqrt{3})</math>. So <math>BC=2\sqrt{6}</math>, and finding the square of the area gives us <math>\boxed{\textbf{(C) } 108}</math>.
 
==Solution 3==
 
WLOG, let a vertex <math>A</math> of equilateral triangle <math>ABC</math> be at <math>(-1,-1)</math> on hyperbola <math>xy=1</math>.
 
 
We are given that the vertex of the hyperbola is the centroid of the triangle. Hence, WLOG, the centroid of the triangle is at <math>(1,1)</math>. Mark the centroid to be point <math>D</math>.
 
 
The length of <math>AD=\sqrt{{1-(-1)}^2+{(1-(-1)}^2} \implies \sqrt{8} \implies 2\sqrt{2}</math>.
 
 
Now, using the information that <math>AD</math> is <math>\frac{2}{3}</math> the height of equilateral triangle <math>ABC</math>(centroid), we find that the height of equilateral triangle <math>ABC</math> is <math>3\sqrt{2}</math>
 
 
Hence, since the height of triangle <math>ABC=3\sqrt{2}</math>, its base is <math>=2\sqrt{6}</math>
 
 
Using the formula for the area of an equilateral triangle...
 
 
<math>\frac{(2\sqrt{6})^2 \sqrt{3}}{4} \implies \frac{24\sqrt{3}}{4}\implies 6\sqrt{3}</math>
 
 
Hence, the area squared is <math>=({6\sqrt{3}})^2 \implies 108\implies \boxed{C}</math>.
 
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
 
{{AMC10 box|year=2017|ab=B|num-b=23|num-a=25}}
 
{{AMC10 box|year=2017|ab=B|num-b=23|num-a=25}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 00:43, 5 February 2018

Problem 24

The vertices of an equilateral triangle lie on the hyperbola $xy=1$, and a vertex of this hyperbola is the centroid of the triangle. What is the square of the area of the triangle?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 48\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 60\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 108\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 120\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 169$

Solution

WLOG, let the centroid of $\triangle ABC$ be $I = (-1,-1)$. The centroid of an equilateral triangle is the same as the circumcenter. It follows that the circumcircle must hit the graph exactly three times. Therefore, $A = (1,1)$, so $AI = BI = CI = 2\sqrt{2}$, so since $\triangle AIB$ is isosceles and $\angle AIB = 120^{\circ}$, then by Law of Cosines, $AB = 2\sqrt{6}$. Therefore, the area of the triangle is $\frac{(2\sqrt{6})^2\sqrt{3}}4 = 6\sqrt{3}$, so the square of the area of the triangle is $\boxed{\textbf{(C) } 108}$.

Solution 2

WLOG, let the centroid of $\triangle ABC$ be $G = (-1,-1)$. Then, one of the vertices must be the other curve of the hyperbola. WLOG, let $A = (1,1)$. Then, point $B$ must be the reflection of $C$ across the line $y=x$, so let $B = (a,\frac{1}{a})$ and $C=(\frac{1}{a},a)$, where $a <-1$. Because $G$ is the centroid, the average of the $x$-coordinates of the vertices of the triangle is $-1$. So we know that $a + 1/a+ 1 = -3$. Multiplying by $a$ and solving gives us $a=-2-\sqrt{3}$. So $B=(-2-\sqrt{3},-2+\sqrt{3})$ and $C=(-2+\sqrt{3},-2-\sqrt{3})$. So $BC=2\sqrt{6}$, and finding the square of the area gives us $\boxed{\textbf{(C) } 108}$.

See Also

2017 AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 23
Followed by
Problem 25
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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