2004 AMC 12A Problem 12

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 12 of the 2004 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2004 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:coordinate geometry distance formula

Difficulty rating: 1480

12.

Let $A = (0, 9)$ and $B = (0, 12).$ Points $A'$ and $B'$ are on the line $y = x,$ and $\overline{AA'}$ and $\overline{BB'}$ intersect at $C = (2, 8).$ What is the length of $\overline{A'B'}?$

$2$

$2\sqrt{2}$

$3$

$2 + \sqrt{2}$

$3\sqrt{2}$

Solution:

Line $AC$ passes through $(0, 9)$ with slope $\tfrac{8 - 9}{2 - 0} = -\tfrac12,$ so its equation is $y = -\tfrac12 x + 9.$ Setting $y = x$ gives $A' = (6, 6).$

Line $BC$ passes through $(0, 12)$ with slope $-2,$ so $y = -2x + 12.$ Setting $y = x$ gives $B' = (4, 4).$

Then $A'B' = \sqrt{(6 - 4)^2 + (6 - 4)^2} = 2\sqrt{2}.$

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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