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2014 AMC 12B Problem 24

Problem 24 of 25HarderAlgebraGeometry

Let ABCDEABCDE be a pentagon inscribed in a circle such that AB=CD=3,AB = CD = 3, BC=DE=10,BC = DE = 10, and AE=14.AE = 14. The sum of the lengths of all diagonals of ABCDEABCDE is equal to mn,\dfrac{m}{n}, where mm and nn are relatively prime positive integers. What is m+n?m + n?

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Solution

Because arcs AB,CDAB, CD are equal and arcs BC,DEBC, DE are equal, the chords AC,BD,CEAC, BD, CE are all equal; let x=AC=BD=CE,x = AC = BD = CE, y=AD,y = AD, and z=BE.z = BE. Ptolemy’s theorem on ABCD,ABCD, BCDE,BCDE, and ABDEABDE gives 10y+9=x2,100+3z=x2,30+14x=yz. \begin{gathered} 10y + 9 = x^2, \\ \quad 100 + 3z = x^2, \\ \quad 30 + 14x = yz. \end{gathered} Solving the first two for yy and zz and substituting into the third yields x3109x420=0=(x12)(x+5)(x+7). \begin{gathered} x^3 - 109x - 420 = 0 \\ = (x-12)(x+5)(x+7). \end{gathered} So x=12,x = 12, y=13510=272,y = \tfrac{135}{10} = \tfrac{27}{2}, and z=443.z = \tfrac{44}{3}. The five diagonals are AC,BD,CE,AD,BE,AC, BD, CE, AD, BE, summing to 3x+y+z=36+272+443=3856. \begin{gathered} 3x + y + z = 36 \\ {}+ \tfrac{27}{2} + \tfrac{44}{3} \\ = \tfrac{385}{6}. \end{gathered} Thus m+n=385+6=391,m + n = 385 + 6 = 391, and the correct answer is D.

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Concepts: Ptolemy’s Theorem · chord · polynomial

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