2005 AIME I Problem 7

Attempt Problem 7 of the 2005 AIME I 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 2005 AIME I solutions, or check the answer key.

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7.

In quadrilateral ABCD,ABCD, BC=8,BC = 8, CD=12,CD = 12, AD=10,AD = 10, and m∠A=m∠B=60∘.m\angle A = m\angle B = 60^\circ. Given that AB=p+q,AB = p + \sqrt{q}, where pp and qq are positive integers, find p+q.p + q.

Answer: 150
Concepts:law of cosinesequilateral triangle
Difficulty rating: 2450
Small Hint:

Extend AD‾\overline{AD} and BC‾\overline{BC} to meet at P;P; the two 60∘60^\circ angles make triangle ABPABP equilateral

Big Hint:

Apply the Law of Cosines in triangle PDC,PDC, where PD=AB−10,PD = AB - 10, PC=AB−8,PC = AB - 8, and ∠P=60∘\angle P = 60^\circ

Solution:

Extend rays ADAD and BCBC until they meet at P.P. Triangle ABPABP has 60∘60^\circ angles at AA and B,B, so it is equilateral: PA=PB=AB.PA = PB = AB. Writing x=AB,x = AB, we get PD=PA−AD=x−10PD = PA - AD = x - 10 and PC=PB−BC=x−8.PC = PB - BC = x - 8.

The Law of Cosines in triangle PDC,PDC, with ∠P=60∘\angle P = 60^\circ and DC=12,DC = 12, gives 144=(x−10)2+(x−8)2−(x−10)(x−8)=x2−18x+84, \begin{aligned} 144 &= (x-10)^2 + (x-8)^2 \\ &\quad {}- (x-10)(x-8) \\ &= x^2 - 18x + 84, \end{aligned} so x2−18x−60=0x^2 - 18x - 60 = 0 and x=9+81+60=9+141.x = 9 + \sqrt{81 + 60} = 9 + \sqrt{141}.

Thus p+q=9+141=150.p + q = 9 + 141 = 150.

Problem 6#6
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