The area of the smallest equilateral triangle with one vertex on each of the sides of the right triangle with side lengths 23,5, and 37, as shown, is nmp, where m,n, and p are positive integers, m and n are relatively prime, and p is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find m+n+p.
解析
Solution 1
Lemma: If x,y satisfy px+qy=1, then the minimal value of x2+y2 is p2+q21.
Proof: Recall that the distance between the point (x0,y0) and the line px+qy+r=0 is given by p2+q2∣px0+qy0+r∣. In particular, the distance between the origin and any point (x,y) on the line px+qy=1 is at least p2+q21.
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Let the vertices of the right triangle be (0,0),(5,0),(0,23), and let (a,0),(0,b) be the two vertices of the equilateral triangle on the legs of the right triangle. Then, the third vertex of the equilateral triangle is (2a+b3,2a3+b). This point must lie on the hypotenuse 5x+23y=1, i.e. a,b must satisfy
10a+b3+43a3+b=1,
which can be simplified to
207a+60113b=1.
By the lemma, the minimal value of a2+b2 is
(207)2+(60113)21=67103,
so the minimal area of the equilateral triangle is
43⋅(67103)2=43⋅67300=67753,
and hence the answer is 75+3+67=145.
Solution 2
Let AB=23,BC=5, D lies on BC, F lies on AB and E lies on AC
Set D as the origin, BD=a,BF=b, F can be expressed as −a+bi in argand plane, the distance of CD is 5−a
We know that (−a+bi)⋅[cos(−3π)+isin(−3π)]=(−2a+3b+23a+bi). We know that the slope of AC is −523, we have that (3a+b)/25−a−(−2a+3b)=235, after computation, we have 11b+73a=203
Now the rest is easy with C-S inequality, (a2+b2)(147+121)≥(73a+11b)2,a2+b2≥67300 so the smallest area is 43⋅67300=67753, and the answer is 145
~bluesoul
Solution 3
Let △ABC be the right triangle with sides AB=x, AC=y, and BC=z and right angle at A.
Let an equilateral triangle touch AB, AC, and BC at D, E, and F respectively, having side lengths of c.
Now, call AD as a and AE as b. Thus, DB=x−a and EC=y−b.
By Law of Sines on triangles △DBF and ECF,
BF=2yz(a3+b) and CF=2xz(a+b3).
Summing,
BF+CF=2yz(a3+b)+2xz(a+b3)=BC=z.
Now substituting AB=x=23, AC=y=5, and BC=37 and solving, 207a+6011b3=1.
We seek to minimize [DEF]=c243=(a2+b2)43.
This is equivalent to minimizing a2+b2.
Using the lemma from solution 1, we conclude that a2+b2=67103
Thus, [DEF]=67753 and our final answer is 145
- Awsomness2000
Solution 4 (Trigonometry)
Let ED=DF=x,AC=5,∠BAC=α,∠CDE=β.
Then cotα=235,∠CDF=β−60∘,
∠AED=β−α,CD=xcos(β−60∘).
By Law of Sines on triangle △ADE we get
AD=xsinαsin(β–α).AD+CD=AC⟹x(tanαsinβ−cosβ)+x(2cosβ+2sinβ3)=AC⟹xAC=sinβ(cotα+23)−2cosβasinβ+bcosβ≤a2+b2⟹xAC≤(cotα+23)2+(21)2=cot2α+3cotα+1
The smallest area [DEF] is
We will use complex numbers. Set the vertex at the right angle to be the origin, and set the axes so the other two vertices are 5 and 23i, respectively. Now let the vertex of the equilateral triangle on the real axis be a and let the vertex of the equilateral triangle on the imaginary axis be bi. Then, the third vertex of the equilateral triangle is given by:
For this to be on the hypotenuse of the right triangle, we also have the following:
2a+2b3−52a3+21=−523⟺73a+11b=203
Note that the area of the equilateral triangle is given by 43(a2+b2), so we seek to minimize a2+b2. This can be done by using the Cauchy Schwarz Inequality on the relation we derived above:
1200=(73a+11b)2≤((73)2+112)(a2+b2)⟹a2+b2≥2681200
Thus, the minimum we seek is simply 43⋅2681200=67753, so the desired answer is 145.
Solution 6
In the complex plane, let the vertices of the triangle be a=5,b=2i3, and c=0. Let e be one of the vertices, where e is real. A point on the line passing through a=5 and b=2i3 can be expressed in the form
f=(1−t)a+tb=5(1−t)+2ti3.
We want the third vertex d to lie on the line through b and c, which is the imaginary axis, so its real part is 0. Since the small triangle is equilateral, d−e=cos60∘⋅(f−e), or
d−e=21+i3⋅(5(1−t)−e+2ti3).
Then the real part of d is
25(1−t)−e−3t+e=0.
Solving for t in terms of e, we find
t=11e+5.
Then
f=115(6−e)+112(e+5)3i,
so
f−e=1130−16e+112(e+5)3i,
so
∣f−e∣2=(1130−16e)2+(112(e+5)3)2=121268e2−840e+1200.
This quadratic is minimized when e=2⋅268840=67105, and the minimum is 67300, so the smallest area of the equilateral triangle is
43⋅67300=67753.
Solution 7
We can use complex numbers. Set the origin at the right angle. Let the point on the real axis be a and the point on the imaginary axis be bi. Then, we see that (a−bi)(cis3π)+bi=(a−bi)(21+i23)+bi=(21a+23b)+i(23a+21b). Now we switch back to Cartesian coordinates. The equation of the hypotenuse is y=−523x+23. This means that the point (21a+23b,23a+21b) is on the line. Plugging the numbers in, we have 23a+21b=−53a−53b+23⟹73a+11b=203. Now, we note that the side length of the equilateral triangle is a2+b2 so it suffices to minimize that. By Cauchy-Schwarz, we have (a2+b2)(147+121)≥(73a+11b)2⟹(a2+b2)≥67300. Thus, the area of the smallest triangle is 67300⋅43=67753 so our desired answer is 145.
(Solution by Pleaseletmetwin, but not added to the Wiki by Pleaseletmetwin)
Solution 8
Employ the same complex bash as in Solution 5, but instead note that minimizing x2+y2 is the same as minimizing the distance from 0,0 to x,y, since they are the same quantity. We use point to plane instead, which gives you the required distance.
Solution 9 (Non Analytic)
Let S be the triangle with side lengths 23,5, and 37.
We will think about this problem backwards, by constructing a triangle as large as possible (We will call it T, for convenience) which is similar to S with vertices outside of a unit equilateral triangle △ABC, such that each vertex of the equilateral triangle lies on a side of T. After we find the side lengths of T, we will use ratios to trace back towards the original problem.
First of all, let θ=90∘, α=arctan(523), and β=arctan(235) (These three angles are simply the angles of triangle S; out of these three angles, α is the smallest angle, and θ is the largest angle). Then let us consider a point P inside △ABC such that ∠APB=180∘−θ, ∠BPC=180∘−α, and ∠APC=180∘−β. Construct the circumcircles ωAB,ωBC, and ωAC of triangles APB,BPC, and APC respectively.
From here, we will prove the lemma that if we choose points X, Y, and Z on circumcircles ωAB,ωBC, and ωAC respectively such that X, B, and Y are collinear and Y, C, and Z are collinear, then Z, A, and X must be collinear. First of all, if we let ∠PAX=m, then ∠PBX=180∘−m (by the properties of cyclic quadrilaterals), ∠PBY=m (by adjacent angles), ∠PCY=180∘−m (by cyclic quadrilaterals), ∠PCZ=m (adjacent angles), and ∠PAZ=180∘−m (cyclic quadrilaterals). Since ∠PAX and ∠PAZ are supplementary, Z, A, and X are collinear as desired. Hence, △XYZ has an inscribed equilateral triangle ABC.
In addition, now we know that all triangles XYZ (as described above) must be similar to triangle S, as ∠AXB=θ and ∠BYC=α, so we have developed AA similarity between the two triangles. Thus, △XYZ is the triangle similar to S which we were desiring. Our goal now is to maximize the length of XY, in order to maximize the area of XYZ, to achieve our original goal.
Note that, all triangles PYX are similar to each other if Y, B, and X are collinear. This is because ∠PYB is constant, and ∠PXB is also a constant value. Then we have AA similarity between this set of triangles. To maximize XY, we can instead maximize PY, which is simply the diameter of ωBC. From there, we can determine that ∠PBY=90∘, and with similar logic, PA, PB, and PC are perpendicular to ZX, XY, and YZ respectively We have found our desired largest possible triangle T.
All we have to do now is to calculate YZ, and use ratios from similar triangles to determine the side length of the equilateral triangle inscribed within S. First of all, we will prove that ∠ZPY=∠ACB+∠AXB. By the properties of cyclic quadrilaterals, ∠AXB=∠PAB+∠PBA, which means that ∠ACB+∠AXB=180∘−∠PAC−∠PBC. Now we will show that ∠ZPY=180∘−∠PAC−∠PBC. Note that, by cyclic quadrilaterals, ∠YZP=∠PAC and ∠ZYP=∠PBC. Hence, ∠ZPY=180∘−∠PAC−∠PBC (since ∠ZPY+∠YZP+∠ZYP=180∘), proving the aforementioned claim. Then, since ∠ACB=60∘ and ∠AXB=θ=90∘, ∠ZPY=150∘.
Now we calculate PY and PZ, which are simply the diameters of circumcircles ωBC and ωAC, respectively. By the extended law of sines, PY=sinBPCBC=2337 and PZ=sinCPACA=537.
We can now solve for ZY with the law of cosines:
(ZY)2=2537+1237−(5337)(−23)(ZY)2=2537+1237+1037(ZY)2=30037⋅67ZY=37⋅10367
Now we will apply this discovery towards our original triangle S. Since the ratio between ZY and the hypotenuse of S is 10367, the side length of the equilateral triangle inscribed within S must be 67103 (as S is simply as scaled version of XYZ, and thus their corresponding inscribed equilateral triangles must be scaled by the same factor). Then the area of the equilateral triangle inscribed within S is 67753, implying that the answer is 145.
-Solution by TheBoomBox77
Solution 10
Let the right triangle's lower-left point be at O(0,0). Notice the 2 other points will determine a unique equilateral triangle. Let 2 points be on the x-axis (B) and the y-axis (A) and label them (b,0) and (0,a) respectively. The third point (C) will then be located on the hypotenuse. We proceed to find the third point's coordinates in terms of a and b.
1. Find the slope of AB and take the negative reciprocal of it to find the slope of the line containing C. Notice the line contains the midpoint of AB so we can then have an equation of the line.
2. Let AB=x. For ABC to be an equilateral triangle, the altitude from C to AB must be 2x3.
We then have two equations and two variables, so we can solve for C's coordinates.
We can find C(2a+b3),(2b+a3). Also, note that C must be on the hypotenuse of the triangle 5x+23y=1. We can plug in x and y as the coordinates of C, which simplifies to
11b+73a=203.
We aim to minimize the side length of the triangle, which is a2+b2. Applying the Cauchy inequality gives us
(a2+b2)(732+112)≥(11b+73a)2=1200
From which we obtain a2+b2≥67300. Thus, the area of the triangle = 67753 which leads to the answer 75+3+67=145.
-hi_im_bob
Solution 11
The general solution to the minimal area is as following:
Amin=4(m2+n2+3mn)3m2n2,
where m and n are the two legs of the right triangle. In this particular case m=5 and n=23. When we plug in these two values, we recover the correct answer of 67753.
The contour of the minimal area Amin is plotted as a function of leg lengths m and n, as shown on the right hand side.
Note
The proof of the formula can be done in a similar fashion as Solution 4, where instead of using specific values, we define variables, m and n in this case, as per the formula.
∠EQM=α,∠MQE=90∘−α,∠PEQ=∠MQE+60∘=150∘−α.PE=2x,QE=2sinαx⟹PQ2=PE2+QE2−2PE⋅QE⋅cos(150∘−α),PQ2=4x2(cot2α+3cotα+1).
Points P and Q lies on bisectors of CE and AE, so PQ≥2AC.
Let the required triangle with minimal sides DEF be constructed.
Let us vary its position in an acceptable way, that is, we will perform a movement in which the vertices of the △DEF remain on the sides of the △ABC. Any motion of a solid plane figure can be considered as rotation around some point, the center of rotation. The speed of movement of any point is perpendicular to the segment from the center of rotation to this point. With an acceptable variation, the velocities of the vertices of the △DEF are directed along the sides △ABC. Consequently, there is a point X located at the intersection of perpendiculars to the sides of △ABC, around which △DEF rotates. The bases of the perpendiculars dropped from X to the sides of △ABC form a regular △DEF.
Therefore X is the first isodynamic point of △ABC.
It is known that ∠AXB=∠ACB+60∘=150∘.
The points A,F,X, and E are concyclic, AX is the diameter, so AX=sinαx. Similarly, BX=cosαx.
AX2+BX2−2AXBXcos150∘=AB2,AC=ABcosα⟹AC2=x2⋅(cot2α+3cotα+1).
The smallest area [DEF] is
Let the right triangle be △ABC with BC=23, AC=5, and AB=37, and let the equilateral be △DEF with D,E,F on AC,AB,BC respectively. Call its side length x. Let the foot from E to BC be H, and let ∠EFH=θ. Since ∠EFD=60∘, ∠DFC=120∘−θ. We get FC=xcos(120∘−θ) and HF=xcosθ. Meanwhile, since EH=xsinθ and △EBC∼△ABC, BH=523xsinθ. We have
23=BC=BH+HF+FC=523xsinθ+xcosθ+xcos(120∘−θ)⟹23=x(523sinθ+cosθ−21cosθ+23sinθ)⟹x=1093sinθ+21cosθ23.⟹[△DEF]=43x2=43⋅(1093sinθ+21cosθ)212=(1093sinθ+21cosθ)233
By Cauchy-Schwarz,
(1093sinθ+21cosθ)2≤(cos2θ+sin2θ)(1093)2+(21)2=2567⟹[△DEF]≥256733=67753.
The requested sum is 75+3+67=145.