Question

Circles $\omega_1,$ $\omega_2,$ and $\omega_3$ each have radius $4$ and are placed in the plane so that each circle is externally tangent to the other two. Points $P_1,$ $P_2,$ and $P_3$ lie on $\omega_1,$ $\omega_2,$ and $\omega_3,$ respectively, so that $P_1P_2=P_2P_3=P_3P_1$ and line $P_iP_{i+1}$ is tangent to $\omega_i$ for each $i=1,$ $2,$ $3,$ where $P_4=P_1.$ See the figure below. The area of $\triangle P_1P_2P_3$ can be written in the form $\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b},$ where $a$ and $b$ are positive integers. What is $a+b?$

$546$

$548$

$550$

$552$

$554$

Answer: D

Concepts:tangent circles special right triangle law of cosines equilateral triangle

Difficulty rating: 2840

Small Hint:

Since $P_iP_{i+1}$ is tangent to $\omega_i$ at $P_i,$ the radius $O_iP_i$ is perpendicular to $P_iP_{i+1}$

Big Hint:

Let $K=O_1P_1\cap O_2P_2;$ with $d=P_1K,$ apply the Law of Cosines in $\triangle O_1KO_2$

Solution:

Let $O_i$ be the center of $\omega_i,$ and let $K$ be the intersection of lines $O_1P_1$ and $O_2P_2.$ Because $\angle P_1P_2P_3=60^\circ,$ triangle $P_2KP_1$ is a $30$ - $60$ - $90^\circ$ triangle. With $d=P_1K,$ we get $P_2K=2d$ and $P_1P_2=\sqrt3\,d.$

The Law of Cosines in $\triangle O_1KO_2$ (with $O_1O_2=8$ ) gives $\begin{gathered} 8^2=(d+4)^2+(2d-4)^2 \\ {}-2(d+4)(2d-4)\cos60^\circ, \end{gathered}$ which simplifies to $3d^2-12d-16=0,$ so $d=2+\tfrac23\sqrt{21}.$

Then $P_1P_2=\sqrt3\,d=2\sqrt3+2\sqrt7,$ and the area is $\begin{gathered} \dfrac{\sqrt3}{4}\left(2\sqrt3+2\sqrt7\right)^2 \\ =10\sqrt3+6\sqrt7 \\ =\sqrt{300}+\sqrt{252}. \end{gathered}$

So $a+b=300+252=552.$

Thus, the correct answer is D.

2018 AMC 12B Problem 25

Answer: D

Difficulty rating: 2840

Small Hint:

Big Hint:

Solution:

Problem 25 in Other Years