2021 AIME I Problem 13

Attempt Problem 13 of the 2021 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 2021 AIME I solutions, or check the answer key.

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13.

Circles ω1\omega_1 and ω2\omega_2 with radii 961961 and 625,625, respectively, intersect at distinct points AA and B.B. A third circle ω\omega is externally tangent to both ω1\omega_1 and ω2.\omega_2. Suppose line ABAB intersects ω\omega at two points PP and QQ such that the measure of minor arc PQ^\widehat{PQ} is 120.120^\circ. Find the distance between the centers of ω1\omega_1 and ω2.\omega_2.

Answer: 672
Concepts:radical axispower of a pointtangent circleschord
Difficulty rating: 3270
Solution:

Let OO and rr be the center and radius of ω,\omega, and O1,O2O_1, O_2 the other centers. External tangency gives OO1=r+961,OO_1 = r + 961, so the power of OO with respect to ω1\omega_1 is OO129612=r2+2961r;OO_1^2 - 961^2 = r^2 + 2 \cdot 961r; similarly its power with respect to ω2\omega_2 is r2+2625r.r^2 + 2 \cdot 625r. The difference is 2r(961625)=672r.2r(961 - 625) = 672r.

For any point X,X, the difference powω1(X)powω2(X)\mathrm{pow}_{\omega_1}(X) - \mathrm{pow}_{\omega_2}(X) =(XO12XO22)= (XO_1^2 - XO_2^2) (96126252)- (961^2 - 625^2) is a linear function of XX that vanishes on the radical axis, which is line AB;AB; its rate of change perpendicular to ABAB is 2O1O2.2 \cdot O_1O_2. So the difference equals 2O1O2dist(O,AB).2 \cdot O_1O_2 \cdot \operatorname{dist}(O, AB). Meanwhile the chord PQPQ of ω\omega subtends a 120120^\circ central angle, so dist(O,AB)=rcos60=r2.\operatorname{dist}(O, AB) = r\cos 60^\circ = \frac{r}{2}.

Therefore 672r=2O1O2r2=O1O2r,672r = 2 \cdot O_1O_2 \cdot \frac{r}{2} = O_1O_2 \cdot r, and the distance between the centers is 672.672.

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