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2017 AMC 10A Problem 17

Problem 17 of 25IntermediateAlgebraGeometry

Distinct points P,P, Q,Q, R,R, SS lie on the circle x2+y2=25x^{2}+y^{2}=25 and have integer coordinates. The distances PQPQ and RSRS are irrational numbers. What is the greatest possible value of the ratio PQRS?\dfrac{PQ}{RS}?

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Solution

The integer-coordinate points on x2+y2=25x^2+y^2=25 are (±5,0)(\pm5,0), (0,±5)(0,\pm5), (±3,±4)(\pm3,\pm4), and (±4,±3)(\pm4,\pm3). For PQPQ and RSRS to be irrational, the squared distance must not be a perfect square. To maximize the ratio, make PQPQ as large as possible and RSRS as small as possible under that condition. The largest possible irrational distance is between (4,3)(-4,3) and (3,4)(3,-4), giving PQ=72+72=98PQ=\sqrt{7^2+7^2}=\sqrt{98}. The smallest possible irrational distance is between (3,4)(3,4) and (4,3)(4,3), giving RS=12+12=2RS=\sqrt{1^2+1^2}=\sqrt2. The greatest possible ratio is 982=7\dfrac{\sqrt{98}}{\sqrt2}=7. Thus, D is the correct answer.

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Concepts: lattice point · circle · distance formula · optimization

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