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2002 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 25

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Problem

Let f(x) = x^2 + 6x + 1, and let R denote the set of points (x,y) in the coordinate plane such that f(x) + f(y) \le 0 \qquad \text{and} \qquad f(x)-f(y) \le 0 The area of R is closest to

\mathrm{(A)}\ 21\qquad\mathrm{(B)}\ 22\qquad\mathrm{(C)}\ 23\qquad\mathrm{(D)}\ 24\qquad\mathrm{(E)}\ 25

Solution

The first condition gives us that x^2 + 6x + 1 + y^2 + 6y + 1 \le 0 \Longrightarrow (x+3)^2 + (y+3)^2 \le 16

which is a circle centered at (-3,-3) with radius 4. The second condition gives us that

x^2 + 6x + 1 - y^2 - 6y - 1 \le 0 \Longrightarrow (x^2 - y^2) + 6(x-y) \le 0 \Longrightarrow (x-y)(x+y+6) \le 0

Thus either

x - y \ge 0,\quad x+y+6 \le 0

or

x - y \le 0,\quad x+y+6 \ge 0

Each of those lines passes through (-3,-3) and has slope \pm 1, as shown above. Therefore, the area of R is half of the area of the circle, which is \frac{1}{2} (\pi \cdot 4^2) = 8\pi \approx 25 \Rightarrow \mathrm{(E)}.

See also

2002 AMC 12B (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 24
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