Question

In triangle $ABC,$ $AB = 13,$ $BC = 14,$ and $CA = 15.$ Distinct points $D,$ $E,$ and $F$ lie on segments $BC,$ $CA,$ and $DE,$ respectively, such that $AD \perp BC,$ $DE \perp AC,$ and $AF \perp BF.$ The length of segment $DF$ can be written as $\dfrac{m}{n},$ where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. What is $m + n?$

$18$

$21$

$24$

$27$

$30$

Solution:

The altitude from $A$ to $BC$ gives $BD = 5,$ $CD = 9,$ $AD = 12.$ Because $DE \perp AC,$ triangle $AED \sim ADC,$ giving $DE = \tfrac{36}{5}$ and $AE = \tfrac{48}{5}.$ Since $\angle AFB = \angle ADB = 90^\circ,$ quadrilateral $ABDF$ is cyclic, so $\angle ABD = \angle AFE,$ making right triangles $ABD$ and $AFE$ similar: $\dfrac{FE}{5} = \dfrac{48/5}{12},$ so $FE = 4.$ Hence $DF = DE - FE = \tfrac{36}{5} - 4 = \tfrac{16}{5},$ and $m + n = 21.$ Thus, the correct answer is B.

2013 AMC 12B Problem 19

Solution:

Problem 19 in Other Years