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2013 AMC 10B Problem 23

Problem 23 of 25HarderGeometry

In triangle ABC,\triangle ABC, AB=13,AB=13, BC=14,BC=14, and CA=15.CA=15. Distinct points D,D, E,E, and FF lie on segments BC,\overline{BC}, CA,\overline{CA}, and DE,\overline{DE}, respectively, such that ADBC,\overline{AD}\perp\overline{BC}, DEAC,\overline{DE}\perp\overline{AC}, and AFBF.\overline{AF}\perp\overline{BF}. The length of segment DF\overline{DF} can be written as mn,\frac{m}{n}, where mm and nn are relatively prime positive integers. What is m+n?m+n?

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Solution

Let BD=xBD=x, so CD=14xCD=14-x. Applying the Pythagorean Theorem to right triangles ABDABD and ACDACD gives 132x2=152(14x)2. 13^2-x^2=15^2-(14-x)^2. Thus BD=5BD=5, CD=9CD=9, and AD=12AD=12. This yields the following diagram: Because ADBCAD\perp BC and DEACDE\perp AC, we have ADE=ACD\angle ADE=\angle ACD. Also, AFB=ADB=90\angle AFB=\angle ADB=90^\circ, so A,B,D,FA,B,D,F are concyclic. Hence ABF=ADF=ACD. \angle ABF=\angle ADF=\angle ACD. In right triangle ACDACD, cos(ACD)=35\cos(\angle ACD)=\frac35 and sin(ACD)=45\sin(\angle ACD)=\frac45. Therefore, in right triangle ABFABF, BF=1335,AF=1345. \begin{aligned} BF&=13\cdot\frac35,\\ AF&=13\cdot\frac45. \end{aligned} By Ptolemy’s Theorem, we get ABDF+DBAF=BFAD. \begin{aligned} &AB \cdot DF + DB \cdot AF \\ &= BF\cdot AD . \end{aligned} Therefore, 13DF+5(1345)=12(1335). \begin{aligned} 13\cdot DF&+5\left(13\cdot\frac45\right)\\ &=12\left(13\cdot\frac35\right). \end{aligned} Dividing by 1313 gives DF+4=365DF+4=\frac{36}{5}, so DF=165DF=\frac{16}{5}. Thus m+n=21m+n=21, and the correct answer is B .

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Concepts: cyclic quadrilateral · Ptolemy’s Theorem · altitude · similarity

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