Question

Triangle $ABC$ is equilateral with $AB = 1.$ Points $E$ and $G$ are on $\overline{AC}$ and points $D$ and $F$ are on $\overline{AB}$ such that both $\overline{DE}$ and $\overline{FG}$ are parallel to $\overline{BC}.$ Furthermore, triangle $ADE$ and trapezoids $DFGE$ and $FBCG$ all have the same perimeter. What is $DE + FG?$

$1$

$\dfrac{3}{2}$

$\dfrac{21}{13}$

$\dfrac{13}{8}$

$\dfrac{5}{3}$

Solution:

Let $x = DE$ and $y = FG.$ The parallel cuts make the small regions equilateral or isosceles trapezoids, so the perimeters are $\triangle ADE: 3x, \quad DFGE: 3y - x, \quad FBCG: 3 - y.$

Setting them equal, $3x = 3y - x$ gives $4x = 3y,$ and $3x = 3 - y.$ Solving yields $x = \tfrac{9}{13}$ and $y = \tfrac{12}{13},$ so $DE + FG = \tfrac{21}{13}.$

Thus, the correct answer is C.

2013 AMC 12A Problem 11

Solution:

Problem 11 in Other Years