2001 AIME II Problem 6

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 6 of the 2001 AIME II, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2001 AIME II solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:square (geometry)circlecoordinate geometryquadratic

Difficulty rating: 2390

6.

Square ABCDABCD is inscribed in a circle. Square EFGHEFGH has vertices EE and FF on CD\overline{CD} and vertices GG and HH on the circle. The ratio of the area of square EFGHEFGH to the area of square ABCDABCD can be expressed as mn,\frac{m}{n}, where mm and nn are relatively prime positive integers and m<n.m \lt n. Find 10n+m.10n + m.

Solution:

Center the circle at the origin and let ABCDABCD have side s,s, so the circle is x2+y2=s22x^2 + y^2 = \frac{s^2}{2} and side CD\overline{CD} lies on the line y=s2.y = \frac{s}{2}. The small square sits on CD,\overline{CD}, outside ABCD:ABCD: if its side is t,t, then by symmetry G=(t2,s2+t),G = \left(\frac{t}{2}, \frac{s}{2} + t\right), which must lie on the circle.

Substituting, t24+(s2+t)2=s22,\frac{t^2}{4} + \left(\frac{s}{2} + t\right)^2 = \frac{s^2}{2}, which expands to 5t2+4sts2=0,5t^2 + 4st - s^2 = 0, or (5ts)(t+s)=0.(5t - s)(t + s) = 0. Since t>0,t \gt 0, we get t=s5.t = \frac{s}{5}.

The ratio of areas is t2s2=125,\frac{t^2}{s^2} = \frac{1}{25}, so m=1,m = 1, n=25,n = 25, and 10n+m=251.10n + m = 251.

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