Question

What is the greatest possible area of the triangle in the complex plane with vertices $2z,$ $(1+i)z,$ and $(1-i)z,$ where $z$ is a complex number satisfying $|4z - 2| = 1?$

$\dfrac{1}{4}$

$\dfrac{1}{2}$

$\dfrac{9}{16}$

$\dfrac{3}{4}$

$1$

Answer: C

Concepts:complex number triangle area optimization

Difficulty rating: 2270

Solution:

The vertices are $z \cdot 2,$ $z(1+i),$ and $z(1-i),$ so the triangle is the fixed triangle with vertices $2, 1+i, 1-i$ — which has area $1$ — scaled by $|z|,$ giving area $|z|^2.$ The condition $|4z - 2| = 1$ is the circle $\left|z - \tfrac{1}{2}\right| = \tfrac{1}{4},$ on which $|z|$ is at most $\tfrac{1}{2} + \tfrac{1}{4} = \tfrac{3}{4}.$ So the greatest area is $\left(\tfrac{3}{4}\right)^2 = \tfrac{9}{16}.$

Thus, the correct answer is C.

2025 AMC 12B Problem 22

Answer: C

Difficulty rating: 2270

Solution:

Problem 22 in Other Years