UHS Math Club 2017-2018

Geometry Handout #6 Answers and Solutions

Walker Kroubalkian
March 20, 2018

1 Answers

1. 769
2. 67◦
3. 130◦
1
4.
3
35
5.
2
13
6.
2
7. 2
√
8. 51 − 36 2
9. 31
10. 31
√
11. 3 − 2 2
12. 74
12
13.
5
√ √
4+ 2+ 6
14.
2
√
6+3 3
15.
2

2 Solutions

1. A quadrilateral ABCD has a right angle at ∠ABC and satisfies AB = 12, BC = 9, CD = 20,
2
and DA = 25. Determine BD .

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A D

B C

Solution: Using the Pythagorean Theorem on 4ABC, we can easily find that AC = 15. Because
2 2 2
CD +AC = 202 +152 = 252 = AD , it follows by the Pythagorean Theorem that ∠ACD = 90◦ . It
follows that sin BAC = 53 and that cos DAC = 35 . It follows that ∠DAB = ∠BAC + ∠DAC = 90◦ .
2 2 2
Therefore, by the Pythagorean Theorem we know that BD = AD + AB = 252 + 122 = 769 .
2. In 4ABC, m∠B = 46◦ and m∠C = 48◦ . A circle is inscribed in 4ABC and the points of
tangency are connected to form 4P QR. What is the measure of the largest angle in 4P QR?

R Q

B P C

Solution: Let I be the incenter of 4ABC. By definition, we know that ∠P IQ = 2∠QRP, ∠QIR =
2∠QP R, and ∠P IR = 2∠P QR. However, we also know that ∠IP B ∼ = ∠IP C ∼ = ∠IQC ∼ =
∠IQA ∼ = ∠IRA ∼ = ∠IRB = 90 . It follows that ∠RIQ = 180 − ∠BAC = 46 + 48 = 94◦ ,
◦ ◦

∠RIP = 180◦ − ∠ABC = 180 − 46 = 134◦ , and ∠QIP = 180◦ − ∠ACB = 180 − 48 = 132◦ .
It follows that the largest of these three angles is ∠RIP = 134◦ , and therefore our answer is
◦
∠RIP
2 = 134
2 = 67 .
3. Let 4ABC be a triangle. The angle bisectors of ∠ABC and ∠ACB intersect at D. If
∠BAC = 80◦ , what are all possible values for ∠BDC?

B C

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

Solution: Notice that ∠BDC = 180◦ − ∠DBC − ∠DCB = 180◦ − ∠ABC+∠ACB 2 = 180◦ −
◦
180 −∠BAC ◦ ◦
2 = 180◦ − 180 2−80 = 180◦ − 50◦ = 130◦ . Therefore, the only possible value of ∠BDC is
130◦ .
4. ABCDEF is a regular hexagon. Let R be the overlap between 4ACE and 4BDF . What is
the area of R divided by the area of ABCDEF ?

E D

F C

A B

Solution: Notice that by symmetry, R is a regular hexagon. By connecting the diagonals of R, we

can partition 4BDF into 9 congruent equilateral triangles. It follows that the area of R is 69 = 23
of the area of 4BDF . If we let the side length of ABCDEF be s, then it follows that because
4ABF is an isosceles triangle with congruent sides of length
√ √ s and √ ∠BAF is 120◦ , we must have
√ (s 3)2 3 2
that BF = s 3. It follows that the area of 4BDF is 4 = 3s 4 3 . We know that the area of
√
3s2 3
ABCDEF is 2 , so our answer is
√
2 3s2 3 2
3 · 4 4 4 1
√ = 3 = =
3s2 3 12 3
2 2

5. Let M be on segment BC of 4ABC so that AM = 3, BM = 4, and CM = 5. Find the largest

possible area of 4ABC.

A M B

Solution: Consider the length of the altitude from C to AB, and call this length l. We know
that this is the minimum length from C to any point on AB, so we know that l ≤ CM = 5. We

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also know that the area of 4ABC is l·(AM2+BM ) = 7l

2. Clearly this area will be maximized when
35
l = CM = 5, so our answer is 7·5
2 = 2 .

6. Let ABCD be a rectangle. Circles C1 and C2 are externally tangent to each other. Furthermore,
C1 is tangent to AB and AD, and C2 is tangent to CB and CD. If AB = 18 and BC = 25, then
find the sum of the radii of the circles.

D F C

I
H
C2

G C1

A E B

Solution: Label the diagram as shown above. Let the radius of each circle be r. Then we
know that 25 = AD = C1 E + C1 I + F C2 = r + C1 I + r, or C1 I = 25 − 2r. We know that
18 = CD = GC1 + IC2 + C2 H = r + IC2 + r, or IC2 = 18 − 2r. Finally, we know that C1 C2 = 2r.
Using the Pythagorean Theorem on 4IC1 C2 , we can find that (18 − 2r)2 + (25 − 2r)2 = (2r)2 .
13
Simplifying, we get 949 − 86r + 4r2 = 0. Solving, we get r = .
2
7. Let A = (1, 0), B = (0, 1), and C = (0, 0). There are three distinct points, P, Q, R, such that
{A, B, C, P } , {A, B, C, Q} , {A, B, C, R} are all parallelograms (vertices unordered). Find the area
of 4P QR.

P B Q

A
C
R

Solution: It is well known that the two diagonals of any parallelogram bisect eachother, or in
other words, they intersect at the midpoint of each diagonal. Reflecting each of A, B, and C about

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

the opposite segment of 4ABC gives us P = (−1, 1), Q = (1, 1), and R = (1, −1). It follows that
2·2
the area of 4P QR is = 2.
2
8. Triangle 4ABC has side lengths AB = 3, BC = 4, and CD = 5. Draw line lA such that lA
is parallel to BC and splits the triangle into two polygons of equal area. Define lines lB and lC
analogously. The intersection points of lA , lB , and lC form a triangle. Determine its area.

B A

Solution: We will proceed with coordinates. Let B be the origin, let A be (3, 0), and let √
C be
3 2
(0, 4). We can easily see with similar triangles that the line lA is represented by x = 3 − 2 and
√
the line lC is represented by y = 4 − 2 2. Finally, we can easily see that lB passes through the
√ √ √
points (0, 2 2) and ( 3 2 2 , 0). It follows that lB can be represented by y = 2 2 − 34 x. It follows that
√ √
the bottom left corner of our new triangle has coordinates (3 − 3 2 2 , 4 − 2 2) , the bottom right
√ √
corner of our new triangle has √coordinates (3 2 − 3, 4 − 2 2), and the top left corner of our new
√
triangle has coordinates (3 − 3 2 2 , 4 2 − 4). It follows that the area of our new triangle is
√ √ √ √
4 2 − 4 − (4 − 2 2) 3 2 − 3 − (3 − 3 2 2 ) √
· = 51 − 36 2
2 1
9. Suppose that two of the three sides of an acute triangle have lengths 20 and 16, respectively.
How many possible integer values are there for the length of the third side?

Solution: By the Triangle Inequality, if we let the third side have length s, then we know that
16 + 20 > s and s + 16 > 20. It follows that 5 ≤ s ≤ 35. Therefore our answer is 35 − 5 + 1 = 31 .
10. In the figure below, three semicircles are drawn outside the given right triangle. Given the
areas A1 = 17 and A2 = 14, find the area A3 .

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

A3

A2

A B
A1

Solution: Label the vertices of the right triangle A, B, and C as shown above. Let AB = c, let
AC = b, and let BC = a. By the Pythagorean Theorem, we know that b2 + c2 = a2 . However, we
2 2 2 2 2 )π
also know that c 8π = 17 and b 8π = 14. It follows that A3 = a8π = (b +c
8 = 17 + 14 = 31 .
11. Consider a circle of radius 1 drawn tangent to the positive x and y axes. Now consider another
smaller circle tangent to that circle and also tangent to the positive x and y axes. Find the radius
of the smaller circle.

Solution: Let the radius of the smaller circle be r. Consider the square by connecting the center √of
the larger circle to each of its points of tangency.
√ We know that the length of this diagonal is d = 2.
However, we can also say that d = 1 + r + r 2 by considering the square formed √ by√connecting
the center of the smaller circle to its points of tangency. It follows that r(1 + 2) = 2 − 1, and
√ √
therefore our answer is r = ( 2 − 1)2 = 3 − 2 2 .
12. Suppose you have a triangle with side lengths 3, 4, and 5. For each of the triangle’s sides, draw
a square on its outside. Connect the adjacent vertices in order, forming 3 new triangles (as in the
diagram). What is the area of this convex region?

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

Solution: We can easily find that the sum of the areas of the three squares and the original
right triangle is 3·4 2 2 2
2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 56. Using the facts that the area of a triangle is
ab sin C
2 and
◦ 3·4·sin 90◦
sin A = sin(180 − A), we can find that the areas of the three outer triangles are 2 = 6,
3·5· 45 4·5· 53
2 = 6, and 2 = 6. Therefore our answer is 56 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 74 .
13. Let 4ABC have side lengths 3, 4, and 5. Let P be a point inside 4ABC. What is the
minimum sum of the lengths of the altitudes from P to the side lengths of 4ABC?

A B

Solution: Notice that the area of 4ABC is equivalent to the sum of the areas of triangles 4AP B,
4AP C, and 4BP C. If we let the altitudes from P to BC, AC, and AB be a, b, and c, respectively,
then we know that 5a+4b+3c
2 = 6. It follows that a + b + c will be minimized when b = c = 0
5a 12
and 2 = 6, or a = 5 . This can be achieved when P is at point A. Therefore, our answer is
12
0 + 0 + 12
5 = 5 .

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

14. Three circles of radius 1 are inscribed in a square of side length s such that the circles do not
overlap or coincide with each other. What is the minimum s where such a configuration is possible?

Solution: Clearly the configuration which will minimize the side of the square is the configuration
above. The diagonal of this square is made up of the diagonal of a square with a side length of
1, the altitude of an equilateral triangle with a side length of 2, the shortest altitude of a right
triangle with a hypotenuse of length 2, and√ the√diagonal√of a square with a side length of 1. It
follows that the diagonal of this square is 2 + 3 + 1 + 2, and therefore, the minimum value of
√ √
4+ 2+ 6
s is .
2
15. Consider triangle 4ABC in the xy-plane where A is at the origin, B lies on the positive
x-axis, C is on the upper right quadrant, and ∠A = 30◦ , ∠B = 60◦ , and ∠C = 90◦ . Let the length
BC = 1. Draw the angle bisector l of angle ∠C, and let this intersect the y-axis at D. What is the
area of quadrilateral ADBC?

C
E
A
B

√
Solution: Let the foot of the perpendicular from C to AD be E. We know that AC = 3 and
AB = 2. We also know that 4AEC is a 30 − 60 − 90 right triangle. It follows that EC = 32 and
√ √ √
EA = 23 . We also know that ∠ECD = 75◦ . It follows that ED = 23 ·tan 75◦ = 32 ·(2+ 3) = 6+32 3 .

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

√
6+3 3
√ √ √ √
It follows that AD = 2 − 23
= 3+ 3. Therefore, the area of 4ABD is (3+ 3)·2· 12 = 3+ 3.
√
√
3
√ √
3 6+3 3
In addition, the area of 4ABC is 2 . Therefore our answer is 3 + 3 + 2 = .
2

3 Sources

1. 2015 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Individual Problem 3

2. 2015 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Individual Problem 7
3. 2015 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Geometry Problem 1
4. 2015 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Geometry Problem 2
5. 2015 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Geometry Problem 3
6. 2015 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Geometry Problem 4
7. 2015 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Geometry Problem 5
8. 2015 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Team Problem 4
9. 2016 Berkeley Math Tournament Fall Individual Problem 12
10. 2016 Berkeley Math Tournament Fall Team Problem 11
11. 2016 Berkeley Math Tournament Fall Team Problem 12
12. 2016 Berkeley Math Tournament Fall Team Problem 19
13. 2016 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Individual Problem 4
14. 2016 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Individual Problem 14
15. 2016 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Individual Problem 17