2011 AIME I Problem 10

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Concepts:inscribed anglebasic probabilitycasework

Difficulty rating: 2990

10.

The probability that a set of three distinct vertices chosen at random from among the vertices of a regular nn-gon determine an obtuse triangle is 93125.\frac{93}{125}. Find the sum of all possible values of n.n.

Solution:

By the inscribed angle theorem, an inscribed triangle is obtuse exactly when its three vertices lie strictly within some semicircle. Count obtuse triangles by their "first" vertex, the vertex from which the other two are reached going clockwise within half the circle. If n=2k,n = 2k, the open semicircle clockwise of a vertex contains k1k - 1 vertices, giving n(k12)n\binom{k-1}{2} obtuse triangles; if n=2k+1,n = 2k + 1, it contains kk vertices, giving n(k2).n\binom{k}{2}.

For n=2kn = 2k the probability is 2k(k12)(2k3)=3(k2)2(2k1)=93125,\frac{2k\binom{k-1}{2}}{\binom{2k}{3}} = \frac{3(k - 2)}{2(2k - 1)} = \frac{93}{125}, so 375(k2)=186(2k1),375(k - 2) = 186(2k - 1), giving 3k=564,3k = 564, k=188,k = 188, and n=376.n = 376.

For n=2k+1n = 2k + 1 the probability is 3(k1)2(2k1)=93125,\frac{3(k - 1)}{2(2k - 1)} = \frac{93}{125}, so 375(k1)=186(2k1),375(k - 1) = 186(2k - 1), giving 3k=189,3k = 189, k=63,k = 63, and n=127.n = 127. The sum of all possible values is 376+127=503.376 + 127 = 503.

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