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2022 AMC 12A Problem 12

Problem 12 of 25IntermediateGeometry

Let MM be the midpoint of AB‾\overline{AB} in regular tetrahedron ABCD.ABCD. What is cos⁡(∠CMD)?\cos(\angle CMD)?

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Solution

Take edge length 1.1. Since MM is the midpoint of AB‾,\overline{AB}, segments CMCM and DMDM are altitudes of the equilateral faces, each of length 32.\dfrac{\sqrt3}{2}. Also CD=1.CD=1. By the Law of Cosines in △CMD,\triangle CMD, cos⁡(∠CMD)=34+34−12⋅34=1232=13. \begin{aligned} \cos(\angle CMD) &=\frac{\frac34+\frac34-1}{2\cdot\frac34} \\ &=\frac{\frac{1}{2}}{\frac{3}{2}}=\frac13. \end{aligned} Thus, the correct answer is B.
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Tagged: 3D geometry · median (geometry) · law of cosines

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