2001 AIME II Problems/Problem 15
Problem
Let , , and be three adjacent square faces of a cube, for which , and let be the eighth vertex of the cube. Let , , and , be the points on , , and , respectively, so that . A solid is obtained by drilling a tunnel through the cube. The sides of the tunnel are planes parallel to , and containing the edges, , , and . The surface area of , including the walls of the tunnel, is , where , , and are positive integers and is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find .
Solution
Set the coordinate system so that vertex $E$, where the drilling starts, is at $(8,8,8)$. Using a little visualization (involving some similar triangles, because we have parallel lines) shows that the tunnel meets the bottom face (the xy plane one) in the line segments joining $(1,0,0)$ to $(2,2,0)$, and $(0,1,0)$ to $(2,2,0)$, and similarly for the other three faces meeting at the origin (by symmetry). So one face of the tunnel is the polygon with vertices (in that order), $S(1,0,0), T(2,0,2), U(8,6,8), V(8,8,6), W(2,2,0)$, and the other two faces of the tunnel are congruent to this shape.
Observe that this shape is made up of two congruent trapezoids each with height $\sqrt {2}$ and bases $7\sqrt {3}$ and $6\sqrt {3}$. Together they make up an area of $\sqrt {2}(7\sqrt {3} + 6\sqrt {3}) = 13\sqrt {6}$. The total area of the tunnel is then $3\cdot13\sqrt {6} = 39\sqrt {6}$. Around the corners $E$ and the one opposite $E$ we're missing an area of $64$. So the outside area is $6\cdot 64 - 2\cdot 6 = 372$. Thus the the total surface area is $372 + 39\sqrt {6}$, and the answer is $372 + 39 + 6 = \boxed{417}$.
See also
2001 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
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