Segments AA′,BB′, and CC′, each of length 2, all intersect at a point O. If ∠AOC′=∠BOA′=∠COB′=60∘, find the maximum possible value of the sum of the areas of triangles AOC′,BOA′, and COB′.
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
Extend OA to D and OC′ to E such that AD=OA′ and C′E=OC. Since OD=OE=2 and ∠DOE=60∘, we have ODE is an equilateral triangle. Let F be the point on DE such that DF=OB and EF=OB′. Clearly we have △DFA≅△OBA′ and △EFC′≅OB′C. Thus the sum of the areas of triangles AOC′,BOA′, and COB′ is the same as the sum of the areas of triangle DFA,FEC′, and OAC′, which is at most the area of triangle ODE. Since ODE is an equilateral triangle with side length 2, its area is 3. Equality is achieved when OC=OA′=0.
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