1985 AIME Problem 9

Attempt Problem 9 of the 1985 AIME below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1985 AIME solutions, or check the answer key.

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9.

In a circle, parallel chords of lengths 2,2, 3,3, and 44 determine central angles of α,\alpha, β,\beta, and α+β\alpha+\beta radians, respectively, where α+β<π.\alpha+\beta\lt\pi. If cosα,\cos\alpha, which is a positive rational number, is expressed as a fraction in lowest terms, what is the sum of its numerator and denominator?

Answer: 49
Concepts:chordtrigonometric identitysystem of equations
Difficulty rating: 2410
Small Hint:

A chord subtending angle θ\theta has length 2Rsin(θ2)2R\sin(\frac{\theta}{2})

Big Hint:

Let x=cos(α2)x=\cos(\frac{\alpha}{2}) and y=cos(β2),y=\cos(\frac{\beta}{2}), then eliminate the common radius

Solution:

Put k=12R,k=\frac{1}{2R}, x=cos(α2),x=\cos(\frac{\alpha}{2}), and y=cos(β2).y=\cos(\frac{\beta}{2}). The chord data give sinα2=2k,sinβ2=3k,sinα+β2=4k. \begin{aligned} \sin\frac\alpha2&=2k,\\ \sin\frac\beta2&=3k,\\ \sin\frac{\alpha+\beta}{2}&=4k. \end{aligned} The addition formula yields 2y+3x=4.2y+3x=4. Also 1x24=1y29, \frac{1-x^2}{4}=\frac{1-y^2}{9}, so 9x24y2=5.9x^2-4y^2=5. Substituting y=43x2y=\frac{4-3x}{2} gives x=78.x=\frac{7}{8}. Hence cosα=2x21=1732, \cos\alpha=2x^2-1=\frac{17}{32}, and the requested sum is 17+32=49.17+32=49.

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