Question

Points $P$ and $Q$ lie in a plane with $PQ=8.$ How many locations for point $R$ in this plane are there such that the triangle with vertices $P,$ $Q,$ and $R$ is a right triangle with area $12$ square units?

$2$

$4$

$6$

$8$

$12$

Answer: D

Concepts:right triangle triangle area coordinate geometry casework

Difficulty rating: 1420

Solution:

Place $P=(-4,0)$ and $Q=(4,0).$ Since the area is $12$ and $PQ=8,$ the distance from $R$ to line $PQ$ is $3,$ so $R=(x,\pm 3).$

If the right angle is at $P,$ then $R=(-4,\pm 3),$ giving $2$ points. If it is at $Q,$ then $R=(4,\pm 3),$ giving $2$ more points.

If the right angle is at $R,$ then $PQ$ is the hypotenuse, so $\begin{aligned} &64=PR^2+QR^2 \\ &\quad =(x+4)^2+9 \\ &\quad {}+(x-4)^2+9 \\ &\quad =2x^2+50. \end{aligned}$ Thus $x^2=7,$ giving $R=(\pm\sqrt7,\pm 3),$ another $4$ points.

The total is $2+2+4=8.$

Thus, the correct answer is D .

2020 AMC 10B Problem 8

Answer: D

Difficulty rating: 1420

Solution:

Problem 8 in Other Years