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2000 AMC 10 Problem 5

Problem 5 of 25EasierGeometry

Points MM and NN are the midpoints of sides PAPA and PBPB of PAB.\triangle PAB. As PP moves along a line that is parallel to side AB,AB, how many of the four quantities listed below change? (a) the length of the segment MN;MN; (b) the perimeter of PAB;\triangle PAB; (c) the area of PAB;\triangle PAB; (d) the area of trapezoid ABNM.ABNM.

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Solution

Since MNMN is a midsegment, MN=12AB,MN = \tfrac12 AB, which is fixed. The base ABAB and the height from PP to ABAB are both constant as PP slides along the parallel line, so the area of PAB\triangle PAB does not change. The trapezoid ABNMABNM is the triangle minus PMN,\triangle PMN, both of whose areas are constant, so its area does not change either. Only the perimeter changes, since PAPA and PBPB vary as PP moves. So exactly one quantity changes. Thus, the correct answer is B.

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Concepts: triangle area · midpoint · parallel lines

Problem text and solution from the LIVE past-contest archive. See also the AoPS wiki page for community solutions.