Difference between revisions of "2002 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 23"

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==Solution==
 
==Solution==
First, we draw an altitude to <math>BC</math> from <math>E</math>.Let it intersect at <math>M</math>. As <math>\triangle BEC</math> is isosceles, we immediately get <math>MB=MC=6</math>, so the altitude is <math>8</math>. Now, let <math>AB=CD=x</math>. Using the Pythagorean Theorem on <math>\triangle EMA</math>, we find <math>AE=\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}</math>. From symmetry, <math>DE=\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}</math> as well. Now, we use the fact that the perimeter of <math>\triangle AED</math> is twice the perimeter of <math>\triangle BEC</math>.  
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First, we draw an altitude to <math>BC</math> from <math>E</math>. Let it intersect at <math>M</math>. As <math>\triangle BEC</math> is isosceles, we immediately get <math>MB=MC=6</math>, so the altitude is <math>8</math>. Now, let <math>AB=CD=x</math>. Using the Pythagorean Theorem on <math>\triangle EMA</math>, we find <math>AE=\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}</math>. From symmetry, <math>DE=\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}</math> as well. Now, we use the fact that the perimeter of <math>\triangle AED</math> is twice the perimeter of <math>\triangle BEC</math>.  
  
 
We have <math>2\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}+2x+12=2(32)</math> so <math>\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}=26-x</math>. Squaring both sides, we have <math>x^2+12x+100=676-52x+x^2</math> which nicely rearranges into <math>64x=576\rightarrow{x=9}</math>. Hence, AB is 9 so our answer is <math>\boxed{\text{(D)}}</math>.
 
We have <math>2\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}+2x+12=2(32)</math> so <math>\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}=26-x</math>. Squaring both sides, we have <math>x^2+12x+100=676-52x+x^2</math> which nicely rearranges into <math>64x=576\rightarrow{x=9}</math>. Hence, AB is 9 so our answer is <math>\boxed{\text{(D)}}</math>.

Revision as of 18:10, 2 April 2018

Problem 23

Points $A,B,C$ and $D$ lie on a line, in that order, with $AB = CD$ and $BC = 12$. Point $E$ is not on the line, and $BE = CE = 10$. The perimeter of $\triangle AED$ is twice the perimeter of $\triangle BEC$. Find $AB$.

$\text{(A)}\ 15/2 \qquad \text{(B)}\ 8 \qquad \text{(C)}\ 17/2 \qquad \text{(D)}\ 9 \qquad \text{(E)}\ 19/2$

Solution

First, we draw an altitude to $BC$ from $E$. Let it intersect at $M$. As $\triangle BEC$ is isosceles, we immediately get $MB=MC=6$, so the altitude is $8$. Now, let $AB=CD=x$. Using the Pythagorean Theorem on $\triangle EMA$, we find $AE=\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}$. From symmetry, $DE=\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}$ as well. Now, we use the fact that the perimeter of $\triangle AED$ is twice the perimeter of $\triangle BEC$.

We have $2\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}+2x+12=2(32)$ so $\sqrt{x^2+12x+100}=26-x$. Squaring both sides, we have $x^2+12x+100=676-52x+x^2$ which nicely rearranges into $64x=576\rightarrow{x=9}$. Hence, AB is 9 so our answer is $\boxed{\text{(D)}}$.

See Also

2002 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 22
Followed by
Problem 24
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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