2007 AMC 12B Problem 6

Attempt Problem 6 of the 2007 AMC 12B 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 2007 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.

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Triangle $ABC$ has side lengths $AB=5,$ $BC=6,$ and $AC=7.$ Two bugs start simultaneously from $A$ and crawl along the sides of the triangle in opposite directions at the same speed. They meet at point $D.$ What is $BD?$

$1$

$2$

$3$

$4$

$5$

Answer: D

Concepts:relative speed perimeter

Difficulty rating: 1080

Solution:

The perimeter is $5+6+7=18,$ so each bug crawls $9$ before they meet.

The bug going $A\to B\to C$ reaches $D$ on side $BC,$ having traveled $AB+BD=9.$ Since $AB=5,$ we get $BD=4.$

Thus, the correct answer is D.

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