2013 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 23

Problem

In $\triangle ABC$ , $AB = 86$ , and $AC=97$ . A circle with center $A$ and radius $AB$ intersects $\overline{BC}$ at points $B$ and $X$ . Moreover $\overline{BX}$ and $\overline{CX}$ have integer lengths. What is $BC$ ?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 11\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 28\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 33\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 61\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 72$

Solution 1

Let $BX = q$ , $CX = p$ , and $AC$ meet the circle at $Y$ and $Z$ , with $Y$ on $BC$ . Then $AZ = AY = 86$ . Using the Power of a Point, we get that $p(p+q) = 11(183) = 11 * 3 * 61$ . We know that $p+q>p$ , and that $p>13$ by the triangle inequality on $\triangle ACX$ . Thus, we get that $BC = p+q = \boxed{\textbf{(D) }61}$

Solution 2

Let $x$ represent $BX$ , and let $y$ represent $CX$ . Since the circle goes through $B$ and $X$ , $AB$ = $AX$ = 86. Then by Stewart's Theorem,

$xy(x+y) + 86^2 (x+y) = 97^2 y + 86^2 x.$

$x^2 y + xy^2 + 86^2 x + 86^2 y = 97^2 y + 86^2 x$

$x^2 + xy + 86^2 = 97^2$

(Since $y$ cannot be equal to 0, dividing both sides of the equation by $y$ is allowed.)

$x(x+y) = (97+86)(97-86)$

$x(x+y) = 2013$

The prime factors of 2013 are 3, 11, and 61. Obviously, $x < x+y$ . In addition, by the Triangle Inequality, $BC < AB + AC$ , so $x+y < 183$ . Therefore, $x$ must equal 33, and $x+y$ must equal 61. $\boxed{D}$

2013 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
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2013 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 23

Contents

Problem

Solution 1

Solution 2

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