1992 AHSME Problems/Problem 30: Difference between revisions
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== Solution == | == Solution == | ||
<math>\ | Note that the center of the circle is the midpoint of <math>AB</math>, call it <math>M</math>. When we decrease <math>x</math>, the limiting condition is that the circle will eventually be tangent to segment <math>AD</math> at <math>D</math> and segment <math>BC</math> at <math>C</math>. That is, <math>MD\perp AD</math> and <math>MC\perp BC</math>. | ||
From here, we drop the altitude from <math>D</math> to <math>AM</math>; call the base <math>N</math>. Since <math>\triangle DNM \sim \triangle ADM</math>, we have | |||
<cmath>\frac{DM}{19/2}=\frac{46}{DM}.</cmath> | |||
Thus, <math>DM=\sqrt{19\cdot 23}</math>. Furthermore, <math>x^2=DN^2+AN^2=(DM^2-NM^2)+AN^2=19\cdot 23-\left(\frac{19}{2}\right)^2+\left(\frac{73}{2}\right)^2=1679. </math>\boxed{B}$. | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 14:33, 1 January 2015
Problem
Let
be an isosceles trapezoid with bases
and
. Suppose
and a circle with center on
is tangent to segments
and
. If
is the smallest possible value of
, then
=
Solution
Note that the center of the circle is the midpoint of
, call it
. When we decrease
, the limiting condition is that the circle will eventually be tangent to segment
at
and segment
at
. That is,
and
.
From here, we drop the altitude from
to
; call the base
. Since
, we have
Thus,
. Furthermore,
\boxed{B}$.
See also
| 1992 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
| Preceded by Problem 29 |
Followed by Problem 30 | |
| 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 | ||
| All AHSME Problems and Solutions | ||
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