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2009 AIME I Problems/Problem 12

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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 = 144/37+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}

Solution 3

As in Solution 2, let P and Q be the intersections of \omega with BI and AI respectively.

Recall that the distance from a point outside a circle to that circle is the same along both tangent lines to the circle drawn from the point.

Recall also that the length of the altitude to the hypotenuse of a right-angle triangle is the geometric mean of the two segments into which it cuts the hypotenuse.

Let x = \overline{AD} = \overline{AQ}. Let y = \overline{BD} = \overline{BP}. Let z = \overline{PI} = \overline{QI}. The semi-perimeter of ABI is x + y + z. Since the lengths of the sides of ABI are x + y, y + z and x + z, the square of its area by Heron's formula is (x+y+z)xyz.

The radius r of \omega is \overline{CD}/2. Therefore r^2 = xy/4. As \omega is the in-circle of ABI, the area of ABI is also r(x+y+z), and so the square area is r^2(x+y+z)^2.

Therefore (x+y+z)xyz = r^2(x+y+z)^2 = \frac{xy(x+y+z)^2}{4} Dividing both sides by xy(x+y+z)/4 we get: 4z = (x+y+z), and so z = (x+y)/3. The semi-perimeter of ABI is therefore \frac{4}{3}(x+y) and the whole perimeter is \frac{8}{3}(x+y). Now x + y = \overline{AB}, so the ratio of the perimeter of ABI to the hypotenuse \overline{AB} is 8/3 and our answer is 8+3=\boxed{011}

Solution 4

We shall yet again let P and Q be the intersections of AI and BI to \omega, respectively. We want to find the perimeter of ABI, which is AD+BD+BQ+BI+IP+PA. We can easily find AD and BD using the fact that ABC, ACD, and BCD are all similar triangles. We get AD=\frac{144}{37} and \frac{1225}{37}. Since AP and AD are tangents to \omega, AP=AD=\frac{144}{37}, and similarly BQ=BD=\frac{1225}{37}. We now wish to find IP and IQ.

Let the center of the given circle be O. We know that \angle AOP=\angle AOD, \angle BOQ=\angle BOD, and \angle IOQ=\angle IOP. Since all six angles sum to 360^{\circ}, \angle AOP+\angle BOQ+\angle IOP=180^{\circ}. If we knew the radius of circle \omega now, then we could find \tan{\angle AOP} and \tan{\angle BOQ}, and then we can use the sum (or difference) of tangents formula to find \tan{\angle IOP}, which reveals IP. This means we should find the radius of \omega. We can easily see that the height of triangle ABC from C has length \frac{12*35}{37}, so the radius of \omega is \frac{210}{37}. Now we shall proceed with the above plan.

\tan{\angle AOP}=\frac{144}{210}. \tan{\angle BOQ}=\frac{1225}{210}.

\tan{\angle IOP}=\tan{(180^{\circ}-\angle AOP-\angle BOQ)}=-\tan{(\angle AOP+\angle BOQ)}

=-\frac{\frac{144}{210}+\frac{1225}{210}}{1-\frac{144}{210}*\frac{1225}{210}}=-\frac{1369}{210-\frac{144*1225}{210}}=\frac{13....

Therefore IP=\frac{210}{37}\tan{\angle IOP}=\frac{37}{3}, and the perimeter of AIB is 2*\frac{37}{3}+2*\frac{144}{37}+2*\frac{1225}{37}=37*\frac{8}{3}. Since AB=37, the desired ratio is \frac{8}{3}, and 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.
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