Maths Olympiad Prep

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Geometry Difficulty 4.7 AIME Find the answer

Let ABCA B C be an isosceles triangle with apex AA. Let II be the incenter. If AI=3A I=3 and the distance from II to BCB C is 2 , then what is the length of BCB C ?

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

Let XX and YY be the points where the incircle touches ABA B and BCB C, respectively. Then AXIA X I and AYBA Y B are similar right triangles. Since II is the incenter, we have IX=IY=2I X=I Y=2. Using the Pythagorean theorem on triangle AXIA X I, we find AX=5A X=\sqrt{5}. By similarity, AY/AX=BY/IXA Y / A X=B Y / I X. Plugging in the numbers given, 5/5=BY/25 / \sqrt{5}=B Y / 2, so BY=25.YB Y=2 \sqrt{5} . Y is the midpoint of BCB C, so BC=45B C=4 \sqrt{5}.

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