AoPSWiki
Try our innovative online adaptive learning system, Alcumus.
Over 1100 problems and 60+ video lessons. FREE!

2009 AIME II Problems/Problem 5

From AoPSWiki

Problem 5

Equilateral triangle T is inscribed in circle A, which has radius 10. Circle B with radius 3 is internally tangent to circle A at one vertex of T. Circles C and D, both with radius 2, are internally tangent to circle A at the other two vertices of T. Circles B, C, and D are all externally tangent to circle E, which has radius \dfrac mn, where m and n are relatively prime positive integers. Find m+n.

unitsize(3mm);defaultpen(linewidth(.8pt));dotfactor=4;pair A=(0,0), D=8*dir(330), C=8*dir(210), B=7*dir(90);pair Ep=(0,4-27/5...


Solution

Let X be the intersection of the circles with centers B and E, and Y be the intersection of the circles with centers C and E. Since the radius of B is 3, AX = 4. Assume AE = m. Then EX and EY are radii of circle E and have length 4+m. AC = 8, and it can easily be shown that angle CAE = 60 degrees. Using the Law of Cosines on triangle CAE, we obtain

(6+m)^2 = m^2 + 64 - 2(8)(m) cos 60.

The 2 and the cos 60 cancel out:

m^2 + 12m + 36 = m^2 + 64 - 8m

12m + 36 = 64 - 8m

m = \frac {28}{20} = \frac {7}{5}. The radius of circle E is 4 + \frac {7}{5} = \frac {27}{5}, so the answer is 27 + 5 = \boxed{032}.

See Also

2009 AIME II (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 4
Followed by
Problem 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Looking for a challenging geometry text? Preparing for MATHCOUNTS or the AMC exams? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Geometry by Richard Rusczyk.
© Copyright 2008 AoPS Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. • FoundationPrivacyContact Us