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== Problem ==
In [[trapezoid]] <math>ABCD</math>, leg <math>\overline{BC}</math> is [[perpendicular]] to bases <math>\overline{AB}</math> and <math>\overline{CD}</math>, and diagonals <math>\overline{AC}</math> and <math>\overline{BD}</math> are perpendicular. Given that <math>AB=\sqrt{11}</math> and <math>AD=\sqrt{1001}</math>, find <math>BC^2</math>.

== Solution ==
Let <math>x = BC</math> be the height of the trapezoid, and let <math>y = CD</math>. Since <math>AC \perp BD</math>, it follows that <math>\triangle BAC \sim \triangle CBD</math>, so <math>\frac{x}{\sqrt{11}} = \frac{y}{x} \Longrightarrow x^2 = y\sqrt{11}</math>.

Let <math>E</math> be the foot of the altitude from <math>A</math> to <math>\overline{CD}</math>. Then <math>AE = x</math>, and <math>ADE</math> is a [[right triangle]]. By the [[Pythagorean Theorem]], 

<cmath>x^2 + \left(y-\sqrt{11}\right)^2 = 1001 \Longrightarrow x^4 - 11x^2 - 11^2 \cdot 9 \cdot 10 = 0</cmath>

The positive solution to this [[quadratic equation]] is <math>x^2 = \boxed{110}</math>.

<center><asy>
size(200); pathpen = linewidth(0.7);
pair C=(0,0),B=(0,110^.5),A=(11^.5,B.y),D=(10*11^.5,0),E=foot(A,C,D);
D(MP("A",A,(2,.5))--MP("B",B,W)--MP("C",C)--MP("D",D)--cycle); D(A--C);D(B--D);D(A--E,linetype("4 4") + linewidth(0.7));
MP("\sqrt{11}",(A+B)/2,N);MP("\sqrt{1001}",(A+D)/2,NE);MP("\sqrt{1001}",(A+D)/2,NE);MP("x",(B+C)/2,W);MP("y",(D+C)/2);D(rightanglemark(B,IP(A--C,B--D),C,20));
</asy></center>

== See also ==
{{AIME box|year=2000|n=II|num-b=7|num-a=9}}

[[Category:Intermediate Geometry Problems]]