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2000 AMC 12 Problems/Problem 19

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Problem

In triangle ABC, AB = 13, BC = 14, AC = 15. Let D denote the midpoint of \overline{BC} and let E denote the intersection of \overline{BC} with the bisector of angle BAC. Which of the following is closest to the area of the triangle ADE?

\text {(A)}\ 2 \qquad \text {(B)}\ 2.5 \qquad \text {(C)}\ 3 \qquad \text {(D)}\ 3.5 \qquad \text {(E)}\ 4

Solution

By the Angle Bisector Theorem, \frac{13}{BE} = \frac{15}{14 - BE} \Longrightarrow BE = 6.5. Since BD = 7, then DE = 0.5.

By Heron's Formula, [ABC] = \sqrt{21(6)(7)(8)} = 84, so the height of \triangle ABC from A is h = \frac{2 \cdot 84}{14} = 12. Notice that the heights of \triangle ABC and \triangle ADE are the same, so [ADE] = \frac{1}{2}(12)(0.5) = 3\ \mathrm{(C)}.

See also

2000 AMC 12 (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 18
Followed by
Problem 20
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
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