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1992 AHSME Problems/Problem 25: Difference between revisions

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== Solution ==
== Solution ==
<math>\fbox{E}</math>
We begin by drawing a diagram.
<asy>
import olympiad; import cse5; import geometry; size(150);
defaultpen(fontsize(10pt));
defaultpen(0.8);
dotfactor = 4;
pair A = origin;
pair C = A+dir(55);
pair D = A+dir(0);
pair B = extension(A,A+dir(90),C,C+dir(-155));
label("$A$",A,S);
label("$C$",C,NE);
label("$D$",D,SE);
label("$B$",B,NW);
label("$4$",B--C,NW);
label("$3$",A--B,W);
draw(A--C--D--cycle);
draw(A--B--C);
draw(rightanglemark(B,C,D,2));
draw(rightanglemark(B,A,D,2));
</asy>
We extend <math>CB</math> and <math>DA</math> to meet at <math>E.</math> This gives us a couple right triangles in <math>CED</math> and <math>BEA.</math>
<asy>
import olympiad; import cse5; import geometry; size(250);
defaultpen(fontsize(10pt));
defaultpen(0.8);
dotfactor = 4;
pair A = origin;
pair C = A+dir(55);
pair D = A+dir(0);
pair B = extension(A,A+dir(90),C,C+dir(-155));
pair E = extension(A,A+2*dir(180),B,B+2*dir(-155));
label("$A$",A,S);
label("$C$",C,NE);
label("$D$",D,SE);
label("$B$",B,NW);
label("$4$",B--C,NW);
label("$3$",A--B,W);
label("$E$",E,SW);
draw(A--C--D--cycle);
draw(A--B--C);
draw(rightanglemark(B,C,D,2));
draw(rightanglemark(B,A,D,2));
draw(A--E--B,dashed);
</asy>
We see that <math>\angle E = 30^\circ</math>. Hence, <math>\triangle BEA</math> and <math>\triangle DEC</math> are 30-60-90 triangles.
 
Using the side ratios of 30-60-90 triangles, we have <math>BE=2BA=6</math>. This tells us that <math>CE=BC+BE=4+6=10</math>. Also, <math>EA=3\sqrt{3}</math>.
 
Because <math>\triangle DEC\sim\triangle BEA</math>, we have <cmath>\frac{10}{3\sqrt{3}}=\frac{CD}{3}.</cmath>
Solving the equation, we have
<cmath>\begin{align*}
\frac{CD}3&=\frac{10}{3\sqrt{3}}\\
CD&=3\cdot\frac{10}{3\sqrt{3}}\\
CD&=\frac{10}{\sqrt{3}}\
\end{align*}</cmath>
Hence, <math>CD=\boxed{\textbf{E}}</math>.


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 13:00, 10 April 2015

Problem

In $\triangle{ABC}$, $\angle ABC=120^\circ,AB=3$ and $BC=4$. If perpendiculars constructed to $\overline{AB}$ at $A$ and to $\overline{BC}$ at $C$ meet at $D$, then $CD=$

$\text{(A) } 3\quad \text{(B) } \frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}\quad \text{(C) } 5\quad \text{(D) } \frac{11}{2}\quad \text{(E) } \frac{10}{\sqrt{3}}$

Solution

We begin by drawing a diagram. [asy] import olympiad; import cse5; import geometry; size(150); defaultpen(fontsize(10pt)); defaultpen(0.8); dotfactor = 4; pair A = origin; pair C = A+dir(55); pair D = A+dir(0); pair B = extension(A,A+dir(90),C,C+dir(-155)); label("$A$",A,S); label("$C$",C,NE); label("$D$",D,SE); label("$B$",B,NW); label("$4$",B--C,NW); label("$3$",A--B,W); draw(A--C--D--cycle); draw(A--B--C); draw(rightanglemark(B,C,D,2)); draw(rightanglemark(B,A,D,2)); [/asy] We extend $CB$ and $DA$ to meet at $E.$ This gives us a couple right triangles in $CED$ and $BEA.$ [asy] import olympiad; import cse5; import geometry; size(250); defaultpen(fontsize(10pt)); defaultpen(0.8); dotfactor = 4; pair A = origin; pair C = A+dir(55); pair D = A+dir(0); pair B = extension(A,A+dir(90),C,C+dir(-155)); pair E = extension(A,A+2*dir(180),B,B+2*dir(-155)); label("$A$",A,S); label("$C$",C,NE); label("$D$",D,SE); label("$B$",B,NW); label("$4$",B--C,NW); label("$3$",A--B,W); label("$E$",E,SW); draw(A--C--D--cycle); draw(A--B--C); draw(rightanglemark(B,C,D,2)); draw(rightanglemark(B,A,D,2)); draw(A--E--B,dashed); [/asy] We see that $\angle E = 30^\circ$. Hence, $\triangle BEA$ and $\triangle DEC$ are 30-60-90 triangles.

Using the side ratios of 30-60-90 triangles, we have $BE=2BA=6$. This tells us that $CE=BC+BE=4+6=10$. Also, $EA=3\sqrt{3}$.

Because $\triangle DEC\sim\triangle BEA$, we have \[\frac{10}{3\sqrt{3}}=\frac{CD}{3}.\] Solving the equation, we have \begin{align*} \frac{CD}3&=\frac{10}{3\sqrt{3}}\\ CD&=3\cdot\frac{10}{3\sqrt{3}}\\ CD&=\frac{10}{\sqrt{3}}\ \end{align*} Hence, $CD=\boxed{\textbf{E}}$.

See also

1992 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 24 		Followed by
Problem 26
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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