2026 AIME I Problem 5

Attempt Problem 5 of the 2026 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 2026 AIME I solutions, or check the answer key.

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5.

A plane contains points AA and BB with AB=1.AB = 1. Point AA is rotated in the plane counterclockwise through an acute angle θ\theta around point BB to point A.A'. Then BB is rotated in the plane clockwise through angle θ\theta around point AA' to point B.B'. Suppose AB=43.AB' = \frac{4}{3}. The value of cosθ\cos\theta can be written as mn,\frac{m}{n}, where mm and nn are relatively prime positive integers. Find m+n.m + n.

Answer: 65
Concepts:complex numbertransformationtrigonometry
Difficulty rating: 2400
Solution:

Work in the complex plane with B=0B = 0 and A=1.A = 1. Rotating zz about PP through angle φ\varphi counterclockwise gives P+eiφ(zP).P + e^{i\varphi}(z - P). So A=eiθ,A' = e^{i\theta}, and rotating BB clockwise through θ\theta about AA' gives B=A+eiθ(0A)=eiθeiθeiθ=eiθ1. \begin{aligned} &B' = A' + e^{-i\theta}(0 - A') \\ &= e^{i\theta} - e^{-i\theta}e^{i\theta} \\ &= e^{i\theta} - 1. \end{aligned}

Then AB2=eiθ22=(cosθ2)2+sin2θ=54cosθ. \begin{aligned} &AB'^2 = \left|e^{i\theta} - 2\right|^2 \\ &= (\cos\theta - 2)^2 + \sin^2\theta \\ &= 5 - 4\cos\theta. \end{aligned} Setting this equal to (43)2=169\left(\frac{4}{3}\right)^2 = \frac{16}{9} gives 4cosθ=5169=299,4\cos\theta = 5 - \frac{16}{9} = \frac{29}{9}, so cosθ=2936\cos\theta = \frac{29}{36} (indeed positive, consistent with θ\theta acute). Thus m+n=29+36=65.m + n = 29 + 36 = 65.

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