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1987 AIME Problems/Problem 4

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Problem

Find the area of the region enclosed by the graph of |x-60|+|y|=\left|\frac{x}{4}\right|.

Solution

Image:1987_AIME-4.png

Since is nonnegative, \left|\frac{x}{4}\right| \ge |x - 60|. Solving this gives us two equations: \frac{x}{4} \ge x - 60\ \mathrm{and} \ -\frac{x}{4} \le x - 60. Thus, . The maximum and minimum y value is when , which is when and . Since the graph is symmetric about the y-axis, we just need casework upon . , so we break up the condition :

  • . Then .
  • . Then .

The area of the region enclosed by the graph is that of the quadrilateral defined by the points (48,0),\ (60,15),\ (80,0), \ (60,-15). Breaking it up into triangles and solving, we get 2 \cdot \frac{1}{2}(80 - 48)(15 - (-15)) = 480.

See also

1987 AIME (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 3
Followed by
Problem 5
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