Let the line x+y=1 meet the axes of x and y at A and B, respectively. A right-angled triangle AMN is inscribed in the triangle OAB, where O is the origin and the points M and N lie on the lines OB and AB, respectively. If the area of the triangle AMN is 94 of the area of the triangle OAB and AN:NB=λ:1, then the sum of all possible values of λ is:
A
21
B
613
C
5
D
2
Answer
Correct answer:B
Step-by-step solution
Coordinate Geometry Method
Given: The line x+y=1 meets the coordinate axes at A and B. Triangle AMN is right-angled, with M on OB and N on AB. Also, Area(△AMN)=94Area(△OAB) and AN:NB=λ:1.
Find: The sum of all possible values of λ.
First find the intercepts of the line x+y=1:
x=1⇒A(1,0)y=1⇒B(0,1)
Hence, O=(0,0), A=(1,0) and B=(0,1).
The area of triangle OAB is
Area(△OAB)=21×1×1=21
Therefore,
Area(△AMN)=94×21=92
Let M=(0,m) on OB. Since AN:NB=λ:1, point N divides AB internally in the ratio λ:1. So by section formula,
N=(λ+1λ,λ+11)
Using the coordinate area formula for triangle with vertices A(1,0), M(0,m) and N(λ+1λ,λ+11),
Given:Area(△OAB)=21 because the intercepts are each 1, and Area(△AMN)=92.
Find: The possible values of λ and their sum.
From the alternate approach in the solution, let the right triangle geometry be expressed using an angle θ. Then
AM=sec(45∘−θ)AN=sec(45∘−θ)cosθ,MN=sec(45∘−θ)sinθ
So,
Area(△AMN)=21sec2(45∘−θ)sinθcosθ
Given this area equals 92, the working yields
tanθ=2or21
The value tanθ=2 is rejected, so
tanθ=21
Using the similarity condition stated in the solution,
NBAN=λ
which gives
λ=613
Thus the required sum of all possible values of λ is 613.
Common mistakes
Assuming N is the midpoint of AB. This is wrong because the question gives the variable ratio AN:NB=λ:1. Use the section formula with the given ratio instead.
Using the wrong right-angle location. The perpendicular condition must be applied at M, so slope(AM)×slope(MN)=−1. Applying it at another vertex leads to an incorrect equation in λ.
Computing the area of triangle AMN incorrectly by taking a convenient base and height without checking perpendicularity. Use the coordinate area formula directly unless the chosen base-height pair is certainly perpendicular.
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