2015 AMC 10A Problem 21

Attempt Problem 21 of the 2015 AMC 10A 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 2015 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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21.

Tetrahedron ABCDABCD has AB=5,AB=5, AC=3,AC=3, BC=4,BC=4, BD=4,BD=4, AD=3,AD=3, and CD=1252.CD=\tfrac{12}5\sqrt2. What is the volume of the tetrahedron?

323\sqrt2

252\sqrt5

245\dfrac{24}5

333\sqrt{3}

2452\dfrac{24}5\sqrt2

Answer: C
Concepts:3D geometryvolumeright triangle
Difficulty rating: 2010
Solution:

We claim that the planes ABCABC and ABDABD are perpendicular to each other.

We can show this by dropping the perpendiculars from CC and DD to ABAB.

Since AC=ADAC = AD and BC=BD,BC = BD, we have that the feet of these altitudes will coincide at point P.P.

Then we have that CP=DP=345=125. CP = DP = \dfrac{3 \cdot 4}{5} = \dfrac{12}{5}. We also have CD=CP2,CD = CP\sqrt{2}, so CPD\triangle CPD is an isosceles right triangle and CPDP.CP\perp DP.

Since CPABCP\perp AB and CPDPCP\perp DP, the segment CPCP is perpendicular to the plane ABDABD. Finally, the volume of the tetrahedron is 13[ABD]CP=63125=245. \dfrac{1}{3}[ABD] \cdot CP = \dfrac{6}{3} \cdot \dfrac{12}{5} = \dfrac{24}{5}.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

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