GeometryDifficulty 5.9AIME, harderProve itUnited States
Problem:
Let ABC be an acute triangle and D be the foot of altitude from A to BC. Let X and Y be points on the segment BC such that ∠BAX=∠YAC, BX=2, XY=6, and YC=3. Given that AD=12, compute BD.
Proposed by: Sarunyu Thongjarast
Answer: 122−16=288−16
Solution
Solution:
Let the line tangent to ⊙(ABC) at A intersect line BC at P.
Proof. Note that ∠PAX=∠PAB+∠BAX=∠PCA+∠CAY=∠PYA
This proves the desired tangency. Now, by power of point, we have, PB⋅PCPB(PB+11)PBPA2PA=PX⋅PY=PA2=(PB+2)(PB+8)=16=PB⋅PC=16⋅27=123
By Pythagorean theorem, AD2+DP2=PA2. Therefore, PD2=PA2−AD2=432−144=288, so PD=122. Finally, BD=PD−PB=122−16.
Solution 2:
Since ∠BAX=∠CAY, by Steiner ratio theorem, we get that AC2AB2=CXBX⋅CYBY=92⋅38=2716
Thus, if BD=x, then by Pythagorean theorem, we get that AB2=144+x2 and AC2=144+(11−x)2. Combining with the displayed equations gives 27(144+x2)27(144+x2)11(144+x2)x2+144+16(2x−11)x2+32x−32x=16(144+(11−x)2)=16(144+x2)+16(−22x+121)=16⋅11⋅(−2x+11)=0=0=122−16, (where we only take the positive solution since x>0).
Solution 3:
Suppose that BD=c. From the length conditions, we get that tan∠BAD=12c,tan∠DAX=122−c,tan∠DAC=1211−c,tan∠DAY=128−c
Thus, using tangent addition formula, we get that tan∠BAX=tan(∠BAD+∠DAX)=1−12c⋅122−c12c+122−c=144144−2c+c2122=144−2c+c224tan∠YAC=tan(∠DAC−∠DAY)=1+1211−c⋅128−c1211−c−128−c=144c2−19c+232123=c2−19c+23236
Hence, the condition ∠BAX=∠CAY translates to 144−2c+c22436(c2−2c+144)−24(c2−19c+232)3(c2−2c+144)−2(c2−19c+232)c2+32c−32c=c2−19c+23236=0=0=0=−16±122 Since c is positive, the answer is BD=122−16.
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