Maths Olympiad Prep

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Geometry Difficulty 4.7 AIME Find the answer

Let ABCABC be a right triangle with hypotenuse ACAC. Let BB^{\prime} be the reflection of point BB across ACAC, and let CC^{\prime} be the reflection of CC across ABAB^{\prime}. Find the ratio of [BCB][BCB^{\prime}] to [BCB][BC^{\prime}B^{\prime}].

A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.

Solution

Since C,BC, B^{\prime}, and CC^{\prime} are collinear, it is evident that [BCB]=12[BCC][BCB^{\prime}]=\frac{1}{2}[BCC^{\prime}]. It immediately follows that [BCB]=[BCB][BCB^{\prime}]=[BC^{\prime}B^{\prime}]. Thus, the ratio is 1.

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