2011 AIME I Problem 10

Attempt Problem 10 of the 2011 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 2011 AIME I solutions, or check the answer key.

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10.

The probability that a set of three distinct vertices chosen at random from among the vertices of a regular nn-gon determine an obtuse triangle is 93125.\frac{93}{125}. Find the sum of all possible values of n.n.
Answer: 503
Concepts:inscribed anglebasic probabilitycasework
Small hint:
A triangle inscribed in a circle is obtuse exactly when its three vertices lie strictly inside some semicircle
Big hint:
Count obtuse triangles by their clockwise-first vertex, and handle even and odd nn separately (only even nn has right triangles)
Solution:
By the inscribed angle theorem, an inscribed triangle is obtuse exactly when its three vertices lie strictly within some semicircle. Count obtuse triangles by their “first” vertex, the vertex from which the other two are reached going clockwise within half the circle. If n=2k,n = 2k, the open semicircle clockwise of a vertex contains k−1k - 1 vertices, giving n(k−12)n\binom{k-1}{2} obtuse triangles; if n=2k+1,n = 2k + 1, it contains kk vertices, giving n(k2).n\binom{k}{2}.
For n=2kn = 2k the probability is 2k(k−12)(2k3)=3(k−2)2(2k−1)=93125,\frac{2k\binom{k-1}{2}}{\binom{2k}{3}} = \frac{3(k - 2)}{2(2k - 1)} = \frac{93}{125}, so 375(k−2)=186(2k−1),375(k - 2) = 186(2k - 1), giving 3k=564,3k = 564, k=188,k = 188, and n=376.n = 376.
For n=2k+1n = 2k + 1 the probability is 3(k−1)2(2k−1)=93125,\frac{3(k - 1)}{2(2k - 1)} = \frac{93}{125}, so 375(k−1)=186(2k−1),375(k - 1) = 186(2k - 1), giving 3k=189,3k = 189, k=63,k = 63, and n=127.n = 127. The sum of all possible values is 376+127=503.376 + 127 = 503.
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