2013 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 19

Problem

In $\bigtriangleup ABC$ , $AB = 86$ , 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

Solution 1

Let $CX=x, BX=y$ . Let the circle intersect $AC$ at $D$ and the diameter including $AD$ intersect the circle again at $E$ . Use power of a point on point C to the circle centered at A.

So $CX*CB=CD*CE$ $x(x+y)=(97-86)(97+86)$ $x(x+y)=3*11*61$ .

Obviously $x+y>x$ so we have three solution pairs for $(x,x+y)=(1,2013),(3,671),(11,183),(33,61)$ . By the Triangle Inequality, only $x+y=61$ yields a possible length of $BX+CX=BC$ .

Therefore, the answer is D) 61.

Solution 2

Let $h$ be the perpendicular from $B$ to $AC$ , $AX=x$ , $XC=y$ , then by Pythagorean Theorem,

$h^2 + (x/2)^2 = 86^2$

$h^2 + (x/2 + y)^2 = 97^2$

Subtracting the two equations, we get $(x+y)y = (97-86)(97+86)$ ,

then the rest is similar to the above solution by power of points.

2013 AMC 12A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 18	Followed by Problem 20
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All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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2013 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 19

Contents

Problem

Solution

Solution 1

Solution 2

See also