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2018 AIME II Problems/Problem 7

Problem 7

Triangle $ABC$ has side lengths $AB = 9$, $BC =$ $5\sqrt{3}$, and $AC = 12$. Points $A = P_{0}, P_{1}, P_{2}, ... , P_{2450} = B$ are on segment $\overline{AB}$ with $P_{k}$ between $P_{k-1}$ and $P_{k+1}$ for $k = 1, 2, ..., 2449$, and points $A = Q_{0}, Q_{1}, Q_{2}, ... , Q_{2450} = C$ are on segment $\overline{AC}$ with $Q_{k}$ between $Q_{k-1}$ and $Q_{k+1}$ for $k = 1, 2, ..., 2449$. Furthermore, each segment $\overline{P_{k}Q_{k}}$, $k = 1, 2, ..., 2449$, is parallel to $\overline{BC}$. The segments cut the triangle into $2450$ regions, consisting of $2449$ trapezoids and $1$ triangle. Each of the $2450$ regions has the same area. Find the number of segments $\overline{P_{k}Q_{k}}$, $k = 1, 2, ..., 2450$, that have rational length.

Solution 1

For each $k$ between $2$ and $2450$, the area of the trapezoid with $\overline{P_kQ_k}$ as its bottom base is the difference between the areas of two triangles, both similar to $\triangle{ABC}$. Let $d_k$ be the length of segment $\overline{P_kQ_k}$. The area of the trapezoid with bases $\overline{P_{k-1}Q_{k-1}}$ and $P_kQ_k$ is $\left(\frac{d_k}{5\sqrt{3}}\right)^2 - \left(\frac{d_{k-1}}{5\sqrt{3}}\right)^2 = \frac{d_k^2-d_{k-1}^2}{75}$ times the area of $\triangle{ABC}$. (This logic also applies to the topmost triangle if we notice that $d_0 = 0$.) However, we also know that the area of each shape is $\frac{1}{2450}$ times the area of $\triangle{ABC}$. We then have $\frac{d_k^2-d_{k-1}^2}{75} = \frac{1}{2450}$. Simplifying, $d_k^2-d_{k-1}^2 = \frac{3}{98}$. However, we know that $d_0^2 = 0$, so $d_1^2 = \frac{3}{98}$, and in general, $d_k^2 = \frac{3k}{98}$ and $d_k = \frac{\sqrt{\frac{3k}{2}}}{7}$. The smallest $k$ that gives a rational $d_k$ is $6$, so $d_k$ is rational if and only if $k = 6n^2$ for some integer $n$.The largest $n$ such that $6n^2$ is less than $2450$ is $20$, so $k$ has $\boxed{020}$ possible values.

Solution by zeroman

Solution 2

We have that there are $2449$ trapezoids and $1$ triangle of equal area, with that one triangle being $AP_1Q_1$. Notice, if we "stack" the trapezoids on top of $\bigtriangleup AP_1Q_1$ the way they already are, we'd create a similar triangle, all of which are similar to $\bigtriangleup ABC$, and since the trapezoids and $\bigtriangleup AP_1Q_1$ have equal area, each of these similar triangles $AP_kQ_k$ have area $\frac{k}{2450}\left[ ABC\right]$, and so $\frac{\left[ AP_kQ_k\right]}{\left[ABC\right]}=\frac{k}{2450}$. We want the ratio of the side lengths $P_kQ_k:BC$. Since area is a 2-dimensional unit of measurement, and side lengths are 1-dimensional, the ratio is simply the square root of the areas, or \[\frac{P_kQ_k}{BC}=\sqrt{\frac{k}{2450}}\] \[\implies P_kQ_k=BC\cdot \sqrt{\frac{k}{2450}}=5\sqrt{3}\cdot\sqrt{\frac{k}{2450}}=\frac{1}{7}\cdot \sqrt{\frac{3k}{2}}=\frac{3}{7}\sqrt{\frac{k}{6}}\] \[\implies k=6n^2<2450\] \[\implies 0<n\leq 20\] so there are $\boxed{020}$ solutions.

~Solution by ktong

~Beautified by jdong2006

Solution 3

Let $T_1$ stand for $AP_1Q_1$, and $T_k = AP_kQ_k$. All triangles $T$ are similar by AA. Let the area of $T_1$ be $x$. The next trapezoid will also have an area of $x$, as given. Therefore, $T_k$ has an area of $kx$. The ratio of the areas is equal to the square of the scale factor for any plane figure and its image. Therefore, $P_k Q_k=P_1 Q_1\cdot \sqrt{k}$, and the same if $Q$ is substituted for $P$ throughout. We want the side $P_k Q_k$ to be rational. Setting up proportions: \[5\sqrt{3} : \sqrt{2450}=35\sqrt{2}\] \[\sqrt{6} : 14\] which shows that $P_1 Q_1=\frac{\sqrt{6}}{14}$. In order for $\sqrt{k} P_1 Q_1$ to be rational, $\sqrt{k}$ must be some rational multiple of $\sqrt{6}$. This is achieved at $\sqrt{k}=\sqrt{6}, 2\sqrt{6}, \ldots, 20\sqrt{6}$. We end there as $21\sqrt{6}=\sqrt{2646}$. There are 20 numbers from 1 to 20, so there are $\boxed{020}$ solutions.

Solution by a1b2

See Also

2018 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 6 		Followed by
Problem 8
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

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