1989 AIME Problem 10

Attempt Problem 10 of the 1989 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 1989 AIME solutions, or check the answer key.

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10.

Let a,a, b,b, cc be the three sides of a triangle, and let α,\alpha, β,\beta, γ\gamma be the angles opposite them. If a2+b2=1989c2,a^2+b^2=1989c^2, find cotγcotα+cotβ.\frac{\cot\gamma}{\cot\alpha+\cot\beta}.

Answer: 994
Concepts:law of cosineslaw of sinestrigonometric identity
Difficulty rating: 2530
Small Hint:

Simplify cotα+cotβ\cot\alpha+\cot\beta using α+β=πγ\alpha+\beta=\pi-\gamma

Big Hint:

Use the Law of Sines for the resulting sine factors and the Law of Cosines for cosγ\cos\gamma

Solution:

First, cotα+cotβ=sin(α+β)sinαsinβ=sinγsinαsinβ.\begin{aligned}\cot\alpha+\cot\beta&=\frac{\sin(\alpha+\beta)}{\sin\alpha\sin\beta}\\&=\frac{\sin\gamma}{\sin\alpha\sin\beta}.\end{aligned} Hence the desired ratio is cosγsinαsinβsin2γ=abcosγc2,\frac{\cos\gamma\sin\alpha\sin\beta}{\sin^2\gamma}=\frac{ab\cos\gamma}{c^2}, where the Law of Sines was used in the final equality. By the Law of Cosines, 2abcosγ=a2+b2c2=1988c2.\begin{aligned}2ab\cos\gamma&=a^2+b^2-c^2\\&=1988c^2.\end{aligned} Therefore the ratio is 19882=994.\frac{1988}{2}=994.

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