Question

Point $B$ lies on line segment $\overline{AC}$ with $AB = 16$ and $BC = 4.$ Points $D$ and $E$ lie on the same side of line $AC$ forming equilateral triangles $\triangle ABD$ and $\triangle BCE.$ Let $M$ be the midpoint of $\overline{AE},$ and $N$ be the midpoint of $\overline{CD}.$ The area of $\triangle BMN$ is $x.$ Find $x^2.$

Answer

Answer: 507

Concepts:coordinate geometry equilateral triangle distance formula

Difficulty rating: 2390

Solution:

Place $B = (0, 0),$ $A = (-16, 0),$ and $C = (4, 0).$ Each equilateral triangle has its apex above the midpoint of its base at height $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$ times the side, so $D = (-8, 8\sqrt{3})$ and $E = (2, 2\sqrt{3}).$ The midpoints are $M = (-7, \sqrt{3})$ and $N = (-2, 4\sqrt{3}).$

Now $BM^2 = 49 + 3 = 52,$ $BN^2 = 4 + 48 = 52,$ and $MN^2 = 25 + 27 = 52,$ so $\triangle BMN$ is equilateral with side $\sqrt{52}.$ Its area is $x = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \cdot 52 = 13\sqrt{3},$ so $x^2 = 169 \cdot 3 = 507.$

2015 AIME I Problem 4

Answer: 507

Difficulty rating: 2390

Solution:

Problem 4 in Other Years