Difference between revisions of "2001 AIME I Problems/Problem 7"

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[[Triangle]] <math>ABC</math> has <math>AB=21</math>, <math>AC=22</math> and <math>BC=20</math>. Points <math>D</math> and <math>E</math> are located on <math>\overline{AB}</math> and <math>\overline{AC}</math>, respectively, such that <math>\overline{DE}</math> is [[parallel]] to <math>\overline{BC}</math> and contains the center of the [[incircle|inscribed circle]] of triangle <math>ABC</math>. Then <math>DE=m/n</math>, where <math>m</math> and <math>n</math> are relatively prime positive integers. Find <math>m+n</math>.
 
[[Triangle]] <math>ABC</math> has <math>AB=21</math>, <math>AC=22</math> and <math>BC=20</math>. Points <math>D</math> and <math>E</math> are located on <math>\overline{AB}</math> and <math>\overline{AC}</math>, respectively, such that <math>\overline{DE}</math> is [[parallel]] to <math>\overline{BC}</math> and contains the center of the [[incircle|inscribed circle]] of triangle <math>ABC</math>. Then <math>DE=m/n</math>, where <math>m</math> and <math>n</math> are relatively prime positive integers. Find <math>m+n</math>.
  
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__TOC__
 
== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
 
=== Solution 1 ===
 
=== Solution 1 ===
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<center><math>\frac{h_{ADE}}{h_{ABC}} = \frac{h_{ABC}-r}{h_{ABC}} = \frac{21\sqrt{1311}/40-\sqrt{1311}/6}{21\sqrt{1311}/40}=\frac{DE}{20}.</math></center> Solving for <math>DE</math> gives <math>DE=\frac{860}{63},</math> so the answer is <math>m+n=\boxed{923}</math>.
 
<center><math>\frac{h_{ADE}}{h_{ABC}} = \frac{h_{ABC}-r}{h_{ABC}} = \frac{21\sqrt{1311}/40-\sqrt{1311}/6}{21\sqrt{1311}/40}=\frac{DE}{20}.</math></center> Solving for <math>DE</math> gives <math>DE=\frac{860}{63},</math> so the answer is <math>m+n=\boxed{923}</math>.
  
=== Solution 2 ===
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=== Solution 2 ([[mass points]]) ===
Since the point is the center (call it P) of the inscribed circle, it must be the intersection of all three angle bisectors. Drawing the bisector AP, to where it intersects BC, we shall call this intersection F. Using the angle bisector theorem, we know the ratio BF:CF is 21:22, thus we shall assign a weight of 22 to point B and a weight of 21 to point C, giving F a weight of 43. In the same manner, using another bisector, we find that A has a weight of 20. So, now we know P has a weight of 63, and the ratio of FP:PA is 20:43. Therefore, the smaller similar triangle ADE is 43/63 the height of the original triangle ABC. So, DE is 43/63 the size of BC. Multiplying this ratio by the length of BC, we find DE is 860/63 = m/n. Therefore, m+n=923.
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<center><asy>
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pointpen = black; pathpen = black+linewidth(0.7); pen d = linewidth(0.7) + linetype("4 4");
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pair B=(0,0), C=(20,0), A=IP(CR(B,21),CR(C,22)), I=incenter(A,B,C), D=IP((0,I.y)--(20,I.y),A--B), E=IP((0,I.y)--(20,I.y),A--C);
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D(MP("A",A,N)--MP("B",B)--MP("C",C)--cycle); D(incircle(A,B,C)); D(MP("P",I,(1,2))); D(MP("E",E,NE)--MP("D",D,NW));
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MP("20",(B+C)/2); MP("21",(A+B)/2,NW); MP("22",(A+C)/2,NE);
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/* construct angle bisectors */
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path anglebisector (pair X, pair Y, pair Z, path K) { return Y -- IP(Y -- Y + 30 * (bisectorpoint(X,Y,Z)-Y) , K); }
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D(anglebisector(C,A,B,B--C), d); D(anglebisector(B,C,A,A--B),d); D(anglebisector(C,B,A,A--C),d);
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</asy></center>
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Let <math>P</math> be the [[incircle]]; then it is be the intersection of all three [[angle bisector]]s. Draw the bisector <math>AP</math> to where it intersects <math>BC</math>, and name the intersection <math>F</math>.  
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Using the [[angle bisector theorem]], we know the ratio <math>BF:CF</math> is <math>21:22</math>, thus we shall assign a weight of <math>22</math> to point <math>B</math> and a weight of <math>21</math> to point <math>C</math>, giving <math>F</math> a weight of <math>43</math>. In the same manner, using another bisector, we find that <math>A</math> has a weight of <math>20</math>. So, now we know <math>P</math> has a weight of <math>63</math>, and the ratio of <math>FP:PA</math> is <math>20:43</math>. Therefore, the smaller similar triangle <math>ADE</math> is <math>43/63</math> the height of the original triangle <math>ABC</math>. So, <math>DE</math> is <math>43/63</math> the size of <math>BC</math>. Multiplying this ratio by the length of <math>BC</math>, we find <math>DE</math> is <math>860/63 = m/n</math>. Therefore, <math>m+n=\boxed{923}</math>.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 12:30, 26 July 2008

Problem

Triangle $ABC$ has $AB=21$, $AC=22$ and $BC=20$. Points $D$ and $E$ are located on $\overline{AB}$ and $\overline{AC}$, respectively, such that $\overline{DE}$ is parallel to $\overline{BC}$ and contains the center of the inscribed circle of triangle $ABC$. Then $DE=m/n$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m+n$.

Solution

Solution 1

[asy] pointpen = black; pathpen = black+linewidth(0.7); pair B=(0,0), C=(20,0), A=IP(CR(B,21),CR(C,22)), I=incenter(A,B,C), D=IP((0,I.y)--(20,I.y),A--B), E=IP((0,I.y)--(20,I.y),A--C); D(MP("A",A,N)--MP("B",B)--MP("C",C)--cycle); D(incircle(A,B,C)); D(MP("I",I,NE)); D(MP("E",E,NE)--MP("D",D,NW)); D((A.x,0)--A,linetype("4 4")+linewidth(0.7)); D((I.x,0)--I,linetype("4 4")+linewidth(0.7)); D(rightanglemark(B,(A.x,0),A,30)); MP("20",(B+C)/2); MP("21",(A+B)/2,NW); MP("22",(A+C)/2,NE); [/asy]

The semiperimeter of $ABC$ is $s = \frac{20 + 21 + 22}{2} = \frac{63}{2}$. By Heron's formula, the area of the whole triangle is $A = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} = \frac{21\sqrt{1311}}2$. Using the formula $A = rs$, we find that the inradius is $r = \frac{A}{s} = \frac{\sqrt{1311}}6$. Since $\triangle ADE \sim \triangle ABC$, the ratio of the heights of triangles $ADE$ and $ABC$ is equal to the ratio between sides $DE$ and $BC$. From $A=\frac{1}{2}bh$, we find $h_{ABC} = \frac{21\sqrt{1311}}{40}$. Thus, we have

$\frac{h_{ADE}}{h_{ABC}} = \frac{h_{ABC}-r}{h_{ABC}} = \frac{21\sqrt{1311}/40-\sqrt{1311}/6}{21\sqrt{1311}/40}=\frac{DE}{20}.$

Solving for $DE$ gives $DE=\frac{860}{63},$ so the answer is $m+n=\boxed{923}$.

Solution 2 (mass points)

[asy] pointpen = black; pathpen = black+linewidth(0.7); pen d = linewidth(0.7) + linetype("4 4"); pair B=(0,0), C=(20,0), A=IP(CR(B,21),CR(C,22)), I=incenter(A,B,C), D=IP((0,I.y)--(20,I.y),A--B), E=IP((0,I.y)--(20,I.y),A--C); D(MP("A",A,N)--MP("B",B)--MP("C",C)--cycle); D(incircle(A,B,C)); D(MP("P",I,(1,2))); D(MP("E",E,NE)--MP("D",D,NW)); MP("20",(B+C)/2); MP("21",(A+B)/2,NW); MP("22",(A+C)/2,NE);  /* construct angle bisectors */ path anglebisector (pair X, pair Y, pair Z, path K) { return Y -- IP(Y -- Y + 30 * (bisectorpoint(X,Y,Z)-Y) , K); } D(anglebisector(C,A,B,B--C), d); D(anglebisector(B,C,A,A--B),d); D(anglebisector(C,B,A,A--C),d); [/asy]

Let $P$ be the incircle; then it is be the intersection of all three angle bisectors. Draw the bisector $AP$ to where it intersects $BC$, and name the intersection $F$.

Using the angle bisector theorem, we know the ratio $BF:CF$ is $21:22$, thus we shall assign a weight of $22$ to point $B$ and a weight of $21$ to point $C$, giving $F$ a weight of $43$. In the same manner, using another bisector, we find that $A$ has a weight of $20$. So, now we know $P$ has a weight of $63$, and the ratio of $FP:PA$ is $20:43$. Therefore, the smaller similar triangle $ADE$ is $43/63$ the height of the original triangle $ABC$. So, $DE$ is $43/63$ the size of $BC$. Multiplying this ratio by the length of $BC$, we find $DE$ is $860/63 = m/n$. Therefore, $m+n=\boxed{923}$.

See also

2001 AIME I (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 6
Followed by
Problem 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions