1994 AIME Problem 8

Attempt Problem 8 of the 1994 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 1994 AIME solutions, or check the answer key.

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8.

The points (0,0),(0,0), (a,11),(a,11), and (b,37)(b,37) are the vertices of an equilateral triangle. Find the value of ab.ab.

Answer: 315
Concepts:coordinate geometryvectorequilateral triangle
Difficulty rating: 1940
Small Hint:

The vector (b,37)(b,37) is a rotation of (a,11)(a,11) through 6060^\circ or 60-60^\circ

Big Hint:

Use the second coordinate of the rotation first, then compute the first coordinate

Solution:

For a 6060^\circ rotation, 37=32a+112,37=\frac{\sqrt3}{2}a+\frac{11}{2}, so a=213.a=21\sqrt3. The first coordinate is then b=a21132=53.b=\frac a2-\frac{11\sqrt3}{2}=5\sqrt3. The opposite orientation changes both signs and leaves the product unchanged. Hence ab=(213)(53)=315.ab=(21\sqrt3)(5\sqrt3)=315.

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