Question

Nondegenerate $\triangle ABC$ has integer side lengths, $\overline{BD}$ is an angle bisector, $AD = 3,$ and $DC = 8.$ What is the smallest possible value of the perimeter?

$30$

$33$

$35$

$36$

$37$

Answer: B

Concepts:angle bisector theorem triangle inequality optimization

Difficulty rating: 1600

Solution:

Using the Angle Bisector Theorem, we have that $\dfrac{AB}{3} = \dfrac{BC}{8}$ $AB = \dfrac{3}{8} BC.$

For $AB$ and $BC$ to be integers, we must have that $BC$ is a multiple of $8.$

To minimize the perimeter, we can set $BC = 8$ and $AB = 3.$ This, however, makes the triangle degenerate.

$BC$ must then be $16$ and $AB = 6.$ Since $AC = AD + DC = 11,$ the perimeter is $16 + 6 + 11 = 33.$

Thus, B is the correct answer.

2010 AMC 10A Problem 16

Answer: B

Difficulty rating: 1600

Solution:

Problem 16 in Other Years