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2010 AMC 12A Problem 8

Problem 8 of 25EasierGeometry

Triangle ABCABC has AB=2⋅AC.AB=2 \cdot AC. Let DD and EE be on AB‾\overline{AB} and BC‾,\overline{BC}, respectively, such that ∠BAE=∠ACD.\angle BAE = \angle ACD. Let FF be the intersection of segments AEAE and CD,CD, and suppose that △CFE\triangle CFE is equilateral. What is ∠ACB?\angle ACB?

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Solution

Let ∠BAE=∠ACD=x.\angle BAE=\angle ACD=x. Because △CFE\triangle CFE is equilateral, ∠CFE=60∘.\angle CFE=60^\circ. Rays FAFA and FEFE are opposite, so ∠AFC=120∘.\angle AFC=120^\circ. In △AFC,\triangle AFC, we get ∠FAC=180∘−120∘−x\angle FAC=180^\circ-120^\circ-x =60∘−x.=60^\circ-x. Since FF lies on AE,AE, this is ∠EAC.\angle EAC. Hence ∠BAC=x+(60∘−x)=60∘.\angle BAC=x+(60^\circ-x)=60^\circ. Put AC=s,AC=s, so AB=2s.AB=2s. The Law of Cosines gives BC2=s2+(2s)2−2(s)(2s)cos⁡60∘=3s2. \begin{aligned} BC^2 &= s^2+(2s)^2 \\ &\quad-2(s)(2s)\cos60^\circ \\ &=3s^2. \end{aligned} Thus the side lengths are in the ratio 1:3:2,1:\sqrt3:2, with ABAB the hypotenuse, so ∠ACB=90∘.\angle ACB=90^\circ. Thus, C is the correct answer.
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Tagged: angle chasing · equilateral triangle · special right triangle

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