Greg, Charlize, and Azarah run at different but constant speeds. Each pair ran a race on a track that measured 100 m from start to finish. In the first race, when Azarah crossed the finish line, Charlize was 20 m behind. In the second race, when Charlize crossed the finish line, Greg was 10 m behind. In the third race, when Azarah crossed the finish line, how many metres was Greg behind?
, 2013
Pick one
Solution
Since is isosceles with and , then .
Also in , altitude bisects () forming two identical triangles, and .
Since these two triangles are identical, each has of the area of .
In , , , and so .
Thus, is also isosceles with .
Then similarly, altitude bisects () forming two identical triangles, and .
Since these two triangles are identical, each has of the area of or of the area of .
Continuing in this way, altitude divides into two identical triangles, and .
Each of these two triangles has of or of the area of .
Continuing, altitude divides into two identical triangles, and .
Each of these two triangles has of or of the area of .
Finally, altitude divides into two identical triangles, and .
Each of these two triangles has of or of the area of .
Since the area of is of the area of , and the area of is of the area of , then the total fraction of that is shaded is or .