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2001 AIME II Problems/Problem 15

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Problem

Let EFGH, EFDC, and EHBC be three adjacent square faces of a cube, for which EC = 8, and let A be the eighth vertex of the cube. Let I, J, and K, be the points on \overline{EF}, \overline{EH}, and \overline{EC}, respectively, so that EI = EJ = EK = 2. A solid S is obtained by drilling a tunnel through the cube. The sides of the tunnel are planes parallel to \overline{AE}, and containing the edges, \overline{IJ}, \overline{JK}, and \overline{KI}. The surface area of S, including the walls of the tunnel, is m + n\sqrt {p}, where m, n, and p are positive integers and p is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find m + n + p.

Solution

import three; currentprojection = perspective(5,-40,12); defaultpen(linewidth(0.7)); pen l = linewidth(0.5) + linetype("...             import three; currentprojection = perspective(5,40,12); defaultpen(linewidth(0.7)); pen l = linewidth(0.5) + linetype("1...

Set the coordinate system so that vertex E, where the drilling starts, is at (8,8,8). Using a little visualization (involving some similar triangles, because we have parallel lines) shows that the tunnel meets the bottom face (the xy plane one) in the line segments joining (1,0,0) to (2,2,0), and (0,1,0) to (2,2,0), and similarly for the other three faces meeting at the origin (by symmetry). So one face of the tunnel is the polygon with vertices (in that order), S(1,0,0), T(2,0,2), U(8,6,8), V(8,8,6), W(2,2,0), and the other two faces of the tunnel are congruent to this shape.

Observe that this shape is made up of two congruent trapezoids each with height \sqrt {2} and bases 7\sqrt {3} and 6\sqrt {3}. Together they make up an area of \sqrt {2}(7\sqrt {3} + 6\sqrt {3}) = 13\sqrt {6}. The total area of the tunnel is then 3\cdot13\sqrt {6} = 39\sqrt {6}. Around the corners E and the one opposite E we're missing an area of 64. So the outside area is 6\cdot 64 - 2\cdot 6 = 372. Thus the the total surface area is 372 + 39\sqrt {6}, and the answer is 372 + 39 + 6 = \boxed{417}.

See also

2001 AIME II (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 14
Followed by
Last Question
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

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