1991 AMC 12 Problem 29

Attempt Problem 29 of the 1991 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1991 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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29.

Equilateral triangle ABCABC has been creased and folded so that vertex AA now rests at A′A' on BCBC as shown. If BA′=1BA'=1 and A′C=2,A'C=2, then the length of crease PQPQ is
85\frac85
72021\frac7{20}\sqrt{21}
1+52\frac{1+\sqrt5}{2}
138\frac{13}{8}
3\sqrt3
Answer: B
Concepts:foldingperpendicular bisectorcoordinate geometrydistance
Small hint:
A fold crease is the perpendicular bisector of the segment joining a point to its image
Big hint:
Place B=(0,0),B=(0,0), C=(3,0),C=(3,0), A=(32,332),A=(\frac{3}{2},\frac{3\sqrt3}{2}), and A′=(1,0)A'=(1,0)
Solution:
With the coordinates in the hint, the perpendicular-bisector condition for X=(x,y)X=(x,y) is ∣X−A∣=∣X−A′∣,|X-A|=|X-A'|, which simplifies to x+33 y=8. x+3\sqrt3\,y=8. Intersecting this line with AB, y=3x,AB,\ y=\sqrt3x, gives P=(45,435).P=(\frac{4}{5},\frac{4\sqrt3}{5}). Intersecting it with AC, y=3(3−x),AC,\ y=\sqrt3(3-x), gives Q=(198,538).Q=(\frac{19}{8},\frac{5\sqrt3}{8}). Hence PQ=(6340)2+(7340)2=72021. \begin{aligned} PQ &=\sqrt{\left(\frac{63}{40}\right)^2 +\left(\frac{7\sqrt3}{40}\right)^2}\\ &=\frac7{20}\sqrt{21}. \end{aligned}
Thus the correct answer is B.
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