2018 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 16

Problem

The solutions to the equation $(z+6)^8=81$ are connected in the complex plane to form a convex regular polygon, three of whose vertices are labeled $A,B,$ and $C$ . What is the least possible area of $\triangle ABC?$

$\textbf{(A) } \frac{1}{6}\sqrt{6} \qquad \textbf{(B) } \frac{3}{2}\sqrt{2}-\frac{3}{2} \qquad \textbf{(C) } 2\sqrt3-3\sqrt2 \qquad \textbf{(D) } \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{2} \qquad \textbf{(E) } \sqrt 3-1$

Solution

The answer is the same if we consider $z^8=81.$ Now we just need to find the area of the triangle bounded by $\sqrt 3i, \sqrt 3,$ and $\frac{\sqrt 3}{\sqrt 2}+\frac{\sqrt 3}{\sqrt 2}i.$ This is just $\boxed{\textbf{B.}}$

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2018 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 16

Problem

Solution