AoPSWiki
Want to learn how to tackle those tough AMC/AIME/Olympiad algebra problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Intermediate Algebra by Richard Rusczyk and Mathew Crawford. Over 1600 problems!

2009 AIME I Problems/Problem 12

From AoPSWiki

Contents

Problem

In right \triangle ABC with hypotenuse \overline{AB}, AC = 12, BC = 35, and \overline{CD} is the altitude to \overline{AB}. Let \omega be the circle having \overline{CD} as a diameter. Let I be a point outside \triangle ABC such that \overline{AI} and \overline{BI} are both tangent to circle \omega. The ratio of the perimeter of \triangle ABI to the length AB can be expressed in the form \frac {m}{n}, where m and n are relatively prime positive integers. Find m + n.


Solution 1

Let O be center of the circle and P,Q be the two points of tangent such that P is on BI and Q is on AI. We know that AD:CD = CD:BD = 12:35.

Since the ratios between corresponding lengths of two similar diagrams are equal, we can let AD = 144, CD = 420 and BD = 1225. Hence AQ = 144, BP = 1225, AB = 1369 and the radius r = OD = 210.

Since we have \tan OAB = \frac {35}{24} and \tan OBA = \frac{6}{35} , we have \sin {(OAB + OBA)} = \frac {1369}{\sqrt {(1801*1261)}},\cos {(OAB + OBA)} = \frac {630}{\sqrt {(1801*1261)}}.

Hence \sin I = \sin {(2OAB + 2OBA)} = \frac {2*1369*630}{1801*1261}. let IP = IQ = x , then we have Area(IBC) = (2x + 1225*2 + 144*2)*\frac {210}{2} = (x + 144)(x + 1225)* \sin {\frac {I}{2}}. Then we get x + 1369 = \frac {3*1369*(x + 144)(x + 1225)}{1801*1261}.

Now the equation looks very complex but we can take a guess here. Assume that x is a rational number (If it's not then the answer to the problem would be irrational which can't be in the form of \frac {m}{n}) that can be expressed as \frac {a}{b} such that (a,b) = 1. Look at both sides; we can know that a has to be a multiple of 1369 and not of 3 and it's reasonable to think that b is divisible by 3 so that we can cancel out the 3 on the right side of the equation.

Let's see if x = \frac {1369}{3} fits. Since \frac {1369}{3} + 1369 = \frac {4*1369}{3}, and \frac {3*1369*(x + 144)(x + 1225)}{1801*1261} = \frac {3*1369* \frac {1801}{3} * \frac {1261*4}{3}} {1801*1261} = \frac {4*13.... Amazingly it fits!

Since we know that 3*1369*144*1225 - 1369*1801*1261 < 0, the other solution of this equation is negative which can be ignored. Hence x = 1369/3.

Hence the perimeter is 1225*2 + 144*2 + \frac {1369}{3} *2 = 1369* \frac {8}{3}, and BC is 1369. Hence \frac {m}{n} = \frac {8}{3}, m + n = 11.

Solution 2

As in Solution 1, let P and Q be the intersections of \omega with BI and AI respectively.

First, by pythagorean theorem, AB = \sqrt{12^2+35^2} = 37. Now the area of ABC is 1/2*12*35 = 1/2*37*CD, so CD=\frac{420}{37} and the inradius of \triangle ABI is r=\frac{210}{37}.

Now from \triangle CDB \sim \triangle ACB we find that \frac{BC}{BD} = \frac{AB}{BC} so BD = BC^2/AB = 35^2/37 and similarly, AD = 12^2/37.

Note IP=IQ=x, BP=BD, and AQ=AD. So we have AI = 144/27+x, BI = 1225/37+x. Now we can compute the area of \triangle ABI in two ways: by heron's formula and by inradius times semiperimeter, which yields

rs=210/37(37+x) = \sqrt{(37+x)(37-144/37)(37-1225/37)x} 210/37(37+x) = 12*35/37 \sqrt{x(37+x)} 37+x = 2 \sqrt{x(x+37)} x^2+74x+1369 = 4x^2 + 148x 3x^2 + 74x - 1369 = 0

The quadratic formula now yields x=37/3. Plugging this back in, the perimeter of ABI is 2s=2(37+x)=2(37+37/3) = 37(8/3) so the ratio of the perimeter to AB is 8/3 and our answer is 8+3=\boxed{011}

See also

2009 AIME I (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 11
Followed by
Problem 13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Want to learn how to tackle those tough AMC/AIME/Olympiad counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Intermediate Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
© Copyright 2008 AoPS Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. • FoundationPrivacyContact Us