1984 AMC 12 Problem 29

Attempt Problem 29 of the 1984 AMC 12 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 1984 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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29.

Find the largest value of yx\frac{y}{x} for pairs of real numbers (x,y)(x,y) which satisfy (x3)2+(y3)2=6. (x-3)^2+(y-3)^2=6.

3+223+2\sqrt2

2+32+\sqrt3

333\sqrt3

66

6+236+2\sqrt3

Answer: A
Concepts:circleslopetangent lineoptimization
Difficulty rating: 2240
Small Hint:

Interpret yx\frac{y}{x} as the slope of a line through the origin

Big Hint:

At an extreme slope, the line y=mxy=mx is tangent to the circle

Solution:

The circle lies entirely where x>0,x\gt0, so yx\frac{y}{x} is the slope mm of the line y=mxy=mx through a point on it. At an extreme, this line is tangent. The distance from the center (3,3)(3,3) to mxy=0mx-y=0 must equal 6,\sqrt6, so 3m3m2+1=6. \frac{|3m-3|}{\sqrt{m^2+1}}=\sqrt6. Squaring and simplifying gives m26m+1=0,m^2-6m+1=0, hence m=3±22.m=3\pm2\sqrt2. The larger value is 3+22.3+2\sqrt2.

Therefore, the correct answer is A.

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