UHS Math Club 2017-2018

Geometry Handout #7 Answers and Solutions

Walker Kroubalkian
April 17, 2018

1 Answers

1. 30
√
2. 5 2
√
5 3
3.
12
4. 110◦
√
3− 3
5.
2
6. 10
1
7.
2
√
2− 3
8.
2
√
9. 10
√
9−5 3
10.
3
√
11. 41
2
12.
3
1
13.
8
5
14.
2
√
15. 2 − 1

2 Solutions

1. Let S be the set of points A in the Cartesian plane such that the four points A, (2, 3), (−1, 0),
and (0, 6) form the vertices of a parallelogram. Let P be the convex polygon whose vertices are the
points in S. What is the area of P ?

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Solution: We can recall that the two diagonals of any parallelogram must bisect each other. It
follows that A must be the reflection of one of the points over the midpoint of the segment which
connects the other two points. We can easily calculate that the midpoint of the segment which
connects (a, b) and (c, d) is ( a+c b+d
2 , 2 ). Additionally, we can easily calculate that the reflection of
the point (a, b) over the point (c, d) is the point (2c − a, 2d − b). Using these facts, we can find that
the three possible coordinates for A are (3, 9), (−3, 3), and (1, −3). Using the Shoelace Formula, it
k3 · 3 + (−3) · (−3) + 1 · 9 − 9 · (−3) − 3 · 1 − (−3) · 3k
follows that the area of P is = 30 .
2
Alternatively, we could notice that P is made up of 4 triangles which are all congruent to the
triangle connecting (2, 3), (−1, 0), and (0, 6), and therefore our answer is 4 times the area of that
triangle.
2. Two points are located 10 units apart, and a circle is drawn with radius r centered at one of
the points. A tangent line to the circle is drawn from the other point. What value of r maximizes
the area of the triangle formed by the two points and the point of tangency?

Solution: Let the angle between the radius and the line connecting the two points be θ. Then

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we have that the area of the triangle is 100 cos2 θ sin θ = 25 sin(2θ). It follows that the maximum area
is 25 when sin(2θ) = 1. Therefore, we must have θ = π4 , and it follows that the optimal radius is
√
r = 10 cos( π4 ) = 5 2 .
3. Let 4ABC be a triangle with AB = 3, BC = 5, and AC = 7, and let P be a point in its interior.
If GA , GB , GC are the centroids of 4P BC, 4P AC, 4P AB, respectively, find the maximum possible
area of 4GA GB GC .

B C

P GA
Solution: Let the midpoint of BC be A0 , and define B 0 and C 0 similarly. We know that P A0
=
P GB P GC
P B0
=P C0
= 32 . It follows that there is a homothety centered at P that translates 4GA GB GC
2
to 4A0 B 0 C 0
with a scale factor of . It follows that the area of 4GA GB GC is always ( 23 )2 = 49
3
of the area of 4A0 B 0 C 0 . We know that the area of 4A0 B 0 C 0 is 14 of the area of 4ABC. By
√ √
Heron’s Formula, the area of 4ABC is 7.5 · 0.5 · 2.5 · 4.5 = 154 3 . Therefore, our answer is
√
√
1 4 15 3 5 3
4 · 9 · 4 =
12
.

4. Triangle 4ABC is drawn such that ∠A = 80◦ , ∠B = 60◦ , and ∠C = 40◦ . Let the circumcenter
of 4ABC be O, and let ω be the circle with diameter AO. Circle ω intersects side AC at point P .
Let M be the midpoint of side BC, and let the intersection of ω and P M be K. Find the measure
of ∠M OK.

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

K
P M
O

A B

Solution: By definition, we know that ∠OM C = 90◦ , and by similar triangles, we know that
∠P M C = 60◦ . It follows that ∠KM O = 90◦ − 60◦ = 30◦ . In addition, because OAP K is a
◦
cyclic quadrilateral, we know that ∠P KO = 180◦ − ∠OAP = 180◦ − 802 = 140◦ , so it follows that
∠M KO = 40◦ . It follows that ∠M OK = 180◦ − 40◦ − 30◦ = 110◦ .
5. Let ABCDEF be a regular hexagon with side length 1. Now construct square AGDQ. What
is the area of the region inside the hexagon and not the square?

E D

F C

H G Q

A B

Solution: Notice that the area of the region inside the hexagon and not the square consists of 4
congruent triangles. Let BC intersect AQ at G as shown. We wish to calculate 4 times the area
of 4ABG. We know that ∠BAG = ∠BAD − ∠QAD = 60◦ − 45◦ = 15◦ . Let H be the foot of
the perpendicular from B to AQ, as shown. We know that AH = cos 15◦ , and that ∠ABH = 75◦ .
It follows that 4BGH is an isosceles√ √right√triangle.
√ Therefore,
√ BH = GH = sin 15◦ . It follows
that AG = sin 15◦ + cos 15◦ = 6−4 2 + 6+4 2 = 26 . It follows that the area of 4ABG is
√ √ √
√
6 1 ◦ 3− 3 3− 3 3 − 3
2 · 1 · 2 · sin 15 = 8 . It follows that the area of the four triangles is 4 · 8 =
2
6. Suppose the side lengths of triangle 4ABC are the roots of the polynomial x3 −27x2 +222x−540.
What is the product of its inradius and circumradius?

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

B C

Solution: Let the sides of 4ABC be a, b, and c. Let the inradius of 4ABC be r, and let the
circumradius of 4ABC be R. Finally, let the area of 4ABC be A. We know that A = (a+b+c)r 2 =
abc abc
4R . It follows that rR = 2a+2b+2c . By Vieta’s formulas, we know that a + b + c = 27 and abc = 540.
540
It follows that our answer is 2·27 = 10 .
7. 2 darts are thrown randomly at a circular board with center O, such that each dart has an
equal probability of hitting any point on the board. The points at which they land are marked A
and B. What is the probability that ∠AOB is acute?

O
A

Solution: Consider an arbitrary point A and fix its location. We want to find the probability that
for a randomly chosen point B, ∠AOB < 90◦ . It follows that if B is either 90◦ above or below
AO, then the condition will be satisfied. It follows that of all of the directions that B can be with
◦ 1
respect to O, only 180
360◦ = 2 of the directions will work.

8. The center of a square of side length 1 is placed uniformly at random inside a circle of radius 1.
Given that we are allowed to rotate the square about its center, what is the probability that the
entire square is contained within the circle for some orientation of the square?

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

Solution: Notice that the square can be contained with the circle if and only if it is contained
within the circle when the midpoint of one of the sides of the square is on the line connecting the
center of the circle and the center of the square. In this orientation,
√ the maximum distance from
3
the center of the circle to one of the sides of the square is 2 as it is the height of an equilateral
triangle with side length 1. This
√ means that the distance between the center of the square and the
center of the circle is at most 23 − 12 . It follows that the probability that this orientation can be
√ √
3−1
2 2 2− 3
obtained is ( ) = .
1 2
9. Let AB = 10 be a diameter of circle P . Pick point C on the circle such that AC = 8. Let the
circle with center O be the incircle of 4ABC. Extend line AO to intersect circle P again at D.
Find the length of BD.

O
C
B
D

_ _
Solution: Because ∠CAD ≡ ∠DAB, we must have that CD∼ =BD. It follows that CD ∼ = BD.
Because AB is a diameter of circle P , we must have that
√ ∠ACB is a right angle. Therefore, by
2 2
the Pythagorean Theorem, we must have that CB = 10 − 8 = 6. Similarly, if we let P be
the circumcenter of 4ABC, we must have that P C = P B = P D = 5. Because both 4P CB
and 4BCD are isosceles triangles, we know that P D is a perpendicular bisector of BC. If we let

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

the intersection of P D and BC be E, then it follows that EC = 62 = 3, and by the Pythagorean

√
Theorem, it follows that P E = 52 − 32 = 4. It follows that ED = P D − P E = 1. Therefore, by
√ √
the Pythagorean Theorem, we know that BD = 32 + 12 = 10 .
10. 4 equilateral triangles of side length 1 are drawn on the interior of a unit square, each one of
which shares a side with one of the 4 sides of the unit square. What is the common area enclosed
by all 4 equilateral triangles?

Solution: Notice that by symmetry, the common area must be an equilateral octagon with rota-
tional 90◦ symmetry (equilateral meaning ”all sides are equal”). We will proceed with coordinates.
Let the bottom left corner have coordinates (0, 0), let the bottom right corner have coordinates
(1, 0), let the top left corner have coordinates (0, 1), and let the top right corner have coordi-
nates (1, 1). We can find through
√
30 − 60 − 90 triangles that the bottom vertex of the equilateral
1 3
octagon has coordinates ( 2 , 6 ). By symmetry, it follows that the top vertex of the equilateral
√
3
octagon has coordinates ( 12 , 1 − 6 ), and therefore, one of the diagonals of the octagon has length
√
1 − 33 . We can find through trigonometry that the other diagonal of the octagon has length
√ √ √
2 · 22 · tan 15◦ = 2 2 − 6. We know that the area of an octagon with this kind of symmetry
√
is 8 · p2 · 2q · 12 · sin 45◦ = pq2 2 where the diagonals are p and q. It follows that our answer is
√
√ √ √
3− 3
√
2 9−5 3
(2 2 − 6) · ( 3 ) · 2 = .
3
11. In triangle 4ABC, the angle at C is 30◦ , side BC has length 4, and side AC has length 5. Let
P be the point such that triangle 4ABP is equilateral and non-overlapping with triangle 4ABC.
Find the distance from C to P .

B P

C A

Solution: Construct equilateral triangle 4BCD on side BC of 4ABC. Notice that by definition,
BA = BP . In addition, we know that BC = BD. Finally, if we let ∠CBA = x, then we have that

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

∠ABD ∼ = ∠P BC = x + 60◦ . It follows by SAS that 4DBA is congruent to 4CBP . Therefore,

CP = DA. Finally, we know that ∠DCA = ∠DCB + ∠BCA = 60◦ + 30◦ = 90◦ . It follows by the
√ √
Pythagorean Theorem that CP = DA = 42 + 52 = 41 .
12. Take a square ABCD of side length 1, and let P be the midpoint of AB. Fold the square so
that point D touches P , and let the intersection of the bottom edge DC with the right edge be Q.
What is BQ?

A P B

D C

Solution: We will proceed with coordinates. Let D have coordinates (0, 0), let C have coordinates
(1, 0), let B have coordinates (1, 1), and let A have coordinates (0, 1). We know that the fold is the
perpendicular bisector of P D. It follows that the equation for the fold is y = − 21 x + 85 . We know
that the intersection of this line with the extension of line CD must lie on the extension of P Q.
We know that this will occur at x = 54 . Therefore, we know that line P Q passes through ( 12 , 1) and
( 54 , 0). It follows that the equation of line P Q is y = − 34 x + 53 . When x = 1, y = 31 , so it follows
2
that BQ = 1 − 13 = .
3
13. Let 4ABC be a triangle with AB = 1, AC = 3, and BC = 3. Let D be a point on BC such
that BD = 13 . What is the ratio of the area of 4BAD to the area of 4CAD?

D
A E B

Solution: Because the altitude from A to CD has the same length as the altitude from A to BD
as both are equal to the altitude from A to BC, we must have that the ratio of the area of 4BAD
1
1
to the area of 4CAD is equivalent to the ratio of their bases, or BD
CD
= 3
1 = 8 .
3− 3

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

14. If a parallelogram with perimeter 14 and area 12 is inscribed in a circle, what is the radius of
the circle?

Solution: We can recall that if one of the angles in a parallelogram is α, then the angle opposite
the first angle in the parallelogram is also α. However, in a cyclic quadrilateral, we know that if
one of the angles is α, then the angle opposite the first angle in the cyclic quadrilateral is π − α.
It follows that for any angle α in a cyclic parallelogram, we must have that α = π − α, or α = π2 .
It follows that any cyclic parallelogram must be a rectangle. Let the length of the rectangle be x
and let the width of the rectangle be y. We know that 2x + 2y = 14 and that xy = 12. It follows
that if x = 3 and y = 4, then everything works. This would mean that the diameter of the circle
5
or the diagonal of the parallelogram is 5, and it follows that the radius of the circle is .
2
15. Take a square ABCD of side length 1, and draw AC. Point E lies on BC such that AE bisects
∠BAC. What is the length of BE?

A B

D C

Solution: By the Angle Bisector Theorem, we know that ABAC

= BE
EC
. It follows that BE
EC
= √1 .
2
It
√ √
follows that BE
BC
1
= √2+1 = 2 − 1. It follows that our answer is 2 − 1 .

3 Sources

1. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Individual Problem 10

2. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Individual Problem 13

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UHS Math Club 2017-2018

3. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Individual Problem 16

4. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Individual Problem 17
5. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Geometry Problem 3
6. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Geometry Problem 5
7. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Team Problem 4
8. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Team Problem 6
9. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Team Problem 9
10. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Team Problem 13
11. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Spring Team Problem 15
12. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Fall Individual Problem 16
13. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Fall Team Problem 4
14. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Fall Team Problem 14
15. 2017 Berkeley Math Tournament Fall Team Problem 15

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