Question

Square $ABCD$ has side length $s,$ a circle centered at $E$ has radius $r,$ and $r$ and $s$ are both rational. The circle passes through $D,$ and $D$ lies on $\overline{BE}.$ Point $F$ lies on the circle, on the same side of $\overline{BE}$ as $A.$ Segment $AF$ is tangent to the circle, and $AF = \sqrt{9 + 5\sqrt{2}}.$ What is $r/s?$

$\dfrac{1}{2}$

$\dfrac{5}{9}$

$\dfrac{3}{5}$

$\dfrac{5}{3}$

$\dfrac{9}{5}$

Solution:

Set $B = (0, 0),$ $C = (s, 0),$ $A = (0, s),$ $D = (s, s),$ so that $E = \left(s + \tfrac{r}{\sqrt{2}},\ s + \tfrac{r}{\sqrt{2}}\right)$ lies on ray $BD.$

Since $AF$ is tangent to the circle, $AF^2 = AE^2 - r^2.$ Computing $AE^2$ and simplifying gives $9 + 5\sqrt{2} = s^2 + rs\sqrt{2}.$

Because $r$ and $s$ are rational, the rational and irrational parts match: $s^2 = 9$ and $rs = 5.$ Thus $s = 3,\ r = \tfrac{5}{3},$ and $r/s = \tfrac{5}{9}.$

Thus, the correct answer is B.

2006 AMC 12A Problem 17

Solution:

Problem 17 in Other Years