Question

In $\triangle ABC,$ $AB = BC,$ and $\overline{BD}$ is an altitude. Point $E$ is on the extension of $\overline{AC}$ such that $BE = 10.$ The values of $\tan \angle CBE,$ $\tan \angle DBE,$ and $\tan \angle ABE$ form a geometric progression, and the values of $\cot \angle DBE,$ $\cot \angle CBE,$ $\cot \angle DBC$ form an arithmetic progression. What is the area of $\triangle ABC?$

$16$

$\dfrac{50}{3}$

$10\sqrt{3}$

$8\sqrt{5}$

$18$

Solution:

Let $\angle DBE = \alpha$ and $\angle DBC = \beta.$ Since $\overline{BD}$ is the altitude of the isosceles triangle, $\angle CBE = \alpha - \beta$ and $\angle ABE = \alpha + \beta.$ The geometric progression gives $\tan(\alpha - \beta)\tan(\alpha + \beta) = \tan^2\alpha,$ which simplifies to $\tan^2\beta(\tan^4\alpha - 1) = 0,$ so $\tan\alpha = 1$ and $\alpha = 45^\circ.$

Writing $DC = a$ and $BD = b,$ the arithmetic progression $\cot\angle DBE, \cot\angle CBE, \cot\angle DBC$ becomes $1, \dfrac{b + a}{b - a}, \dfrac{b}{a},$ forcing $b = 3a.$ With $BE = 10$ and $\angle DBE = 45^\circ,$ we get $b = \dfrac{BE}{\sqrt2} = 5\sqrt2,$ so $a = \dfrac{5\sqrt2}{3}.$

The area of $\triangle ABC$ is $\tfrac12 (AC)(BD) = ab = 5\sqrt2 \cdot \dfrac{5\sqrt2}{3} = \dfrac{50}{3}.$

Thus, the correct answer is B.

2004 AMC 12B Problem 24

Solution:

Problem 24 in Other Years