2019 AIME I Problem 6

Attempt Problem 6 of the 2019 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 2019 AIME I solutions, or check the answer key.

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6.

In convex quadrilateral KLMN,KLMN, side MN‾\overline{MN} is perpendicular to diagonal KM‾,\overline{KM}, side KL‾\overline{KL} is perpendicular to diagonal LN‾,\overline{LN}, MN=65,MN = 65, and KL=28.KL = 28. The line through LL perpendicular to side KN‾\overline{KN} intersects diagonal KM‾\overline{KM} at OO with KO=8.KO = 8. Find MO.MO.

Answer: 90
Concepts:similarityright trianglealtitude
Difficulty rating: 2600
Small Hint:

Let FF be the foot of the perpendicular from LL to KN‾;\overline{KN}; in right triangle KLNKLN the altitude gives KF⋅KN=KL2KF \cdot KN = KL^2

Big Hint:

Triangles KFOKFO and KMNKMN share angle KK and each has a right angle, so KF⋅KN=KO⋅KMKF \cdot KN = KO \cdot KM

Solution:

Let FF be the foot of the perpendicular from LL to KN‾,\overline{KN}, so OO lies on segment LF.LF. In right triangle KLNKLN (right angle at LL), the altitude LFLF to the hypotenuse gives the geometric mean relation KF⋅KN=KL2=282=784.KF \cdot KN = KL^2 = 28^2 = 784.

Triangles KFOKFO and KMNKMN share angle K,K, and ∠KFO=90∘=∠KMN,\angle KFO = 90^\circ = \angle KMN, so they are similar. Hence KFKM=KOKN,\frac{KF}{KM} = \frac{KO}{KN}, that is, KO⋅KM=KF⋅KN=784.KO \cdot KM = KF \cdot KN = 784. With KO=8KO = 8 this gives KM=98,KM = 98, so MO=KM−KO=98−8=90. \begin{aligned} MO &= KM - KO \\ &= 98 - 8 = 90. \end{aligned}

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