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2013 AMC 10A Problem 15

Problem 15 of 25IntermediateAlgebraGeometry

Two sides of a triangle have lengths 1010 and 15.15. The length of the altitude to the third side is the average of the lengths of the altitudes to the two given sides. How long is the third side?

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Solution

Let h1h_1 be the length of the altitude to the side of length 1010 and similarly define h2h_2 for the other given side. We have that 10h1=15h2 10h_1 = 15h_2 h1=32h2. h_1 = \dfrac{3}{2}h_2. The third altitude is the average of the other two, which makes its length h2+32h22=54h2. \dfrac{h_2 + \frac{3}{2}h_2}{2} = \dfrac{5}{4}h_2. Let the third side have length x.x. Then 54h2x=15h2 \dfrac{5}{4}h_2x = 15h_2 x=12. x = 12. Thus, D is the correct answer.

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Concepts: triangle area · altitude · ratio and proportion

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