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2019 AMC 10B Problem 23

Problem 23 of 25HarderGeometry

Points A=(6,13)A=(6,13) and B=(12,11)B=(12,11) lie on a circle ω\omega in the plane. Suppose that the tangent lines to ω\omega at AA and BB intersect at a point on the xx-axis. What is the area of ω?\omega?

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Solution

Let PP be the intersection point of the two tangents. Since tangent lengths from the same point are equal, PA=PBPA=PB, so PP lies on the perpendicular bisector of AB\overline{AB}. The midpoint of A(6,13)A(6,13) and B(12,11)B(12,11) is (9,12)(9,12), and the slope of ABAB is 13-\dfrac13, so the perpendicular bisector is y=3x15y=3x-15. Its intersection with the xx-axis is P=(5,0)P=(5,0). The tangent line through PP and AA has slope 1313, so the radius to AA has slope 113-\dfrac1{13}. Intersecting y13=113(x6)y-13=-\dfrac1{13}(x-6) with y=3x15y=3x-15 gives center (374,514)\left(\dfrac{37}{4},\dfrac{51}{4}\right). Thus r2=(3746)2r^2=\left(\dfrac{37}{4}-6\right)^2 +(51413)2+\left(\dfrac{51}{4}-13\right)^2 =858=\dfrac{85}{8}, so the area is 85π8\dfrac{85\pi}{8}. Thus, C is the correct answer.

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Concepts: coordinate geometry · tangent line · perpendicular bisector

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