Question

In $\triangle ABC,$ $AB = 13,$ $AC = 5$ and $BC = 12.$ Points $M$ and $N$ lie on $\overline{AC}$ and $\overline{BC},$ respectively, with $CM = CN = 4.$ Points $J$ and $K$ are on $\overline{AB}$ so that $\overline{MJ}$ and $\overline{NK}$ are perpendicular to $\overline{AB}.$ What is the area of pentagon $CMJKN?$

$15$

$\dfrac{81}{5}$

$\dfrac{205}{12}$

$\dfrac{240}{13}$

$20$

Solution:

Since $5^2 + 12^2 = 13^2,$ $\triangle ABC$ is right-angled at $C$ with area $\tfrac12 (5)(12) = 30.$ The small right triangles $\triangle AMJ$ and $\triangle NBK$ are each similar to $\triangle ABC,$ with hypotenuses $AM = 5 - 4 = 1$ and $BN = 12 - 4 = 8.$ Their areas are $\left(\dfrac{1}{13}\right)^2 (30)$ and $\left(\dfrac{8}{13}\right)^2 (30).$

The pentagon is what remains: $\left(1 - \dfrac{1}{169} - \dfrac{64}{169}\right)(30) = \dfrac{104}{169}(30) = \dfrac{240}{13}.$

Thus, the correct answer is D.

2004 AMC 12B Problem 14

Solution:

Problem 14 in Other Years