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2009 AIME I Problems/Problem 5

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Problem

Triangle ABC has AC = 450 and BC = 300. Points K and L are located on \overline{AC} and \overline{AB} respectively so that AK = CK, and \overline{CL} is the angle bisector of angle C. Let P be the point of intersection of \overline{BK} and \overline{CL}, and let M be the point on line BK for which K is the midpoint of \overline{PM}. If AM = 180, find LP.

Solution


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Since K is the midpoint of \overline{PM}, \overline{AC}.

Thus, AK=CK,PK=MK and the opposite angles are congruent.

Therefore, \bigtriangleup{AMK} is congruent to \bigtriangleup{CPK} because of SAS

\angle{KMA} is congruent to \angle{KPA} because of CPCTC

That shows \overline{AM} is parallel to \overline{CP} (also CL)

That makes \bigtriangleup{AMB} similar to \bigtriangleup{LPB}

Thus,

\frac {AM}{LP}=\frac {AB}{LB}=\frac {AL+LB}{LB}=\frac {AL}{LB}+1

Now lets apply the angle bisector theorem.

\frac {AL}{LB}=\frac {AC}{BC}=\frac {450}{300}=\frac {3}{2}

\frac {AM}{LP}=\frac {AL}{LB}+1=\frac {5}{2}

\frac {180}{LP}=\frac {5}{2}

LP=\boxed {072}

See also

2009 AIME I (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 4
Followed by
Problem 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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