HMMT February 2020

February 15, 2020

Geometry
1. Let DIAL, F OR, and F RIEN D be regular polygons in the plane. If ID = 1, find the product of all
possible areas of OLA.
Proposed by: Andrew Gu
1
Answer: 32

Solution: Focusing on F RIEN D and F OR first, observe that either DIO is an equilateral triangle
or O is the midpoint of ID. Next, OLA
√
is always an isosceles triangle with base LA = 1. The possible
3
distances of O from LA are 1 and 1 ± 2 as the distance from O to ID in the equilateral triangle case
√
is 23 .

A1 I A2

R E

O2
O1
F N

L1 D L2

The three possibilities are shown in the diagram as shaded triangles 4O1 L1 A1 , 4O2 L2 A2 , and
4O1 L2 A2 .
The product of all possible areas is thus
 √   √ 
3 3
1· 1− 2 · 1+ 2 1 1
= = .
23 25 32

2. Let ABC be a triangle with AB = 5, AC = 8, and ∠BAC = 60◦ . Let U V W XY Z be a regular

hexagon that is inscribed inside ABC such that U and V lie on side BA, W and X lie on side AC,
and Z lies on side CB. What is the side length of hexagon U V W XY Z?
Proposed by: Ryan Kim
40
Answer: 21

Solution: Let the side length of U V W XY Z be s. We have W Z = 2s and W Z k AB by properties of

regular hexagons. Thus, triangles W CZ and ACB are similar. AW V is an equilateral triangle, so we
have AW = s. Thus, using similar triangles, we have
WC AC 8−s 8
= =⇒ = ,
WZ AB 2s 5
40
so 5(8 − s) = 8(2s) =⇒ s = 21 .
 C

X Y

W Z

A V U B

3. Consider the L-shaped tromino below with 3 attached unit squares. It is cut into exactly two pieces of
equal area by a line segment whose endpoints lie on the perimeter of the tromino. What is the longest
possible length of the line segment?

Proposed by: James Lin

5
Answer: 2

Solution: Let the√ line segment have endpoints A and B. Without loss√of generality, let A lie below
the lines x + y = 3 (as this will cause B to be above the line x + y = 3) and y = x (we can reflect
about y = x to get the rest of the cases):

Now, note that as A ranges from (0, 0) to (1.5, 0), B will range from (1, 1) to (1, 2) to (0, 2), as indicated
by the red line segments. Note that these line segments are contained in a rectangle√bounded by x = 0,
y = 0, x = 1.5, and y = 2, and so the longest line segment in this case has length 22 + 1.52 = 52 .
√
As for the rest of the cases, as A = (x, 0) ranges from (1.5, 0) to ( 3, 0), B will be the point (0, x3 ), so
q √
it suffices to maximize x2 + x92 given 1.5 ≤ x ≤ 3. Note that the further away x2 is from 3, the
9
larger x2 + x2 gets, and so the maximum is achieved when x = 1.5, which gives us the same length as
before.
Thus, the maximum length is 25 .
4. Let ABCD be a rectangle and E be a point on segment AD. We are given that quadrilateral BCDE
has an inscribed circle ω1 that is tangent to BE at T . If the incircle ω2 of ABE is also tangent to BE
at T , then find the ratio of the radius of ω1 to the radius of ω2 .
Proposed by: James Lin
√
3+ 5
Answer: 2

Solution: Let ω1 be tangent to AD, BC at R, S and ω2 be tangent to AD, AB at X, Y . Let

AX = AY = r, EX = ET = ER = a, BY = BT = BS = b. Then noting that RS k CD, we see
that ABSR is a rectangle, so r + 2a = b. Therefore AE = a + r, AB = b + r = √2(a + r), and so
√
BE = (a + r) 5. On the other hand, BE = b + a = r + 3a. This implies that a = 1+2 5 r. The desired
√
RS 3+ 5
ratio is then 2AY = AB a+r
2r = r = 2 .

A Y B

X
T
E

R S

D C

5. Let ABCDEF be a regular hexagon with side length 2. A circle with radius 3 and center at A is
drawn. Find the area inside quadrilateral BCDE but outside the circle.
Proposed by: Carl Joshua Quines
√
Answer: 4 3 − 32 π

√ A to form a bigger hexagon with√a circular hole.

Solution: Rotate the region 6 times about √ The larger
hexagon has side length 4 and area 24 3, so the area of the region is 16 (24 3 − 9π) = 4 3 − 32 π.

B C

A D

F E
6. Let ABC be a triangle with AB = 5, BC = 6, CA = 7. Let D be a point on ray AB beyond B such
that BD = 7, E be a point on ray BC beyond C such that CE = 5, and F be a point on ray CA
beyond A such that AF = 6. Compute the area of the circumcircle of DEF .
Proposed by: James Lin
251
Answer: 3 π

Solution 1: Let I be the incenter of ABC. We claim that I is the circumcenter of DEF .

A
Z
X I

B E
Y C

To prove this, let the incircle touch AB, BC, and AC at X, Y , and Z, respectively. Noting that
XB = BY = 2, Y C = CZ = 4, and ZA = AX = 3, we see that XD = Y E = ZF = 9. Thus, since
IX = IY = IZ = r (where r is the inradius) and ∠IXD = ∠IY E = ∠IZF = 90◦ , we have three
congruent right triangles, and so ID = IE = IF , as desired.
Let s = 5+6+7
p
2 = 9 be the semiperimeter. By Heron’s formula, [ABC] = 9(9 − 5)(9 − 6)(9 − 7) =
√ √
6 6, so r = [ABC]
s = 2 3 6 . Then the area of the circumcircle of DEF is
251
ID2 π = (IX 2 + XD2 )π = (r2 + s2 )π = π.
3

Solution 2: Let D0 be a point on ray CB beyond B such that BD0 = 7, and similarly define E 0 , F 0 .
Noting that DA = E 0 A and AF = AF 0 , we see that DE 0 F 0 F is cyclic by power of a point. Similarly,
EF 0 D0 D and F D0 E 0 E are cyclic. Now, note that the radical axes for the three circles circumscribing
these quadrilaterals are the sides of ABC, which are not concurrent. Therefore, DD0 F F 0 EE 0 is cyclic.
We can deduce that the circumcenter of this circle is I in two ways: either by calculating that the
midpoint of D0 E coincides with the foot from I to BC, or by noticing that the perpendicular bisector
of F F 0 is AI. The area can then be calculated the same way as the previous solution.
F0
F

I
B C
D0 E

E0

D
 Remark. The circumcircle of DEF is the Conway circle of ABC.
7. Let Γ be a circle, and ω1 and ω2 be two non-intersecting circles inside Γ that are internally tangent to
Γ at X1 and X2 , respectively. Let one of the common internal tangents of ω1 and ω2 touch ω1 and ω2
at T1 and T2 , respectively, while intersecting Γ at two points A and B. Given that 2X1 T1 = X2 T2 and
that ω1 , ω2 , and Γ have radii 2, 3, and 12, respectively, compute the length of AB.
Proposed by: James Lin
√
96 10
Answer: 13

Solution 1: Let ω1 , ω2 , Γ have centers O1 , O2 , O and radii r1 , r2 , R respectively. Let d be the

distance from O to AB (signed so that it is positive if O and O1 are on the same side of AB).

X2
O2

M T1
A B
T2
X1
O1
O

Note that

OOi = R − ri ,
O1 T1 − OM r1 − d
cos ∠T1 O1 O = = ,
OO1 R − r1
O2 T2 + OM r2 + d
cos ∠T2 O2 O = = .
OO1 R − r2
Then
p
X1 T1 = r1 2 − 2 cos ∠X1 O1 T1
p
= ri 2 + 2 cos ∠T1 O1 O
r
r1 − d
= r1 2 + 2
R − r1
r
R−d
= r1 2 .
R − r1
Likewise, r
R+d
X2 T2 = r2 2 .
R − r2
From 2X1 T1 = X2 T2 we have
   
R−d R+d
8r12 = 4X1 T12 = X2 T22 = 2r22 .
R − r1 R − r2
36
√ √
96 10
Plugging in r1 = 2, r2 = 3, R = 12 and solving yields d = 13 . Hence AB = 2 R2 − d2 = 13 .
 Solution 2: We borrow the notation from the previous solution. Let X1 T1 and X2 T2 intersect Γ again
at M1 and M2 . Note that, if we orient AB to be horizontal, then the circles ω1 and ω2 are on opposite
sides of AB. In addition, for i ∈ {1, 2} there exist homotheties centered at Xi with ratio rRi which send
ωi to Γ. Since T1 and T2 are points of tangencies and thus top/bottom points, we see that M1 and M2
are the top and bottom points of Γ, and so M1 M2 is a diameter perpendicular to AB.

M1

X2

M T1
A B
T2
X1

M2

Now, note that through power of a point and the aforementioned homotheties,
  
2 R R
P (M1 , ω1 ) = M1 T1 · M1 X1 = X1 T1 − 1 = 30X1 T12 ,
r1 r1

and similarly P (M2 , ω2 ) = 12X2 T22 . (Here P is the power of a point with respect to a circle). Then

P (M1 , ω1 ) 30X1 T12 30 5

= 2 = 2
= .
P (M2 , ω2 ) 12X2 T2 12(2) 8

Let M be the midpoint of AB, and suppose M1 M = R + d (here d may be negative). Noting that
M1 and M2 are arc bisectors, we have ∠AX1 M1 = ∠T1 AM1 , so 4M1 AT1 ∼ 4M1 X1 A, meaning
that M1 A2 = M1 T1 · M1 X1 = P (M1 , ω1 ). Similarly, 4M2 AT2 ∼ 4M2 X2 A, so M2 A2 = P (M2 , ω2 ).
Therefore,

P (M1 , ω1 ) M 1 A2 (R2 − d2 ) + (R + d)2 2R2 + 2Rd R+d 5

= 2
= 2 2 2
= 2
= = ,
P (M2 , ω2 ) M2 A (R − d ) + (R − d) 2R − 2Rd R−d 8
q √ √
3 2
3
= 8R13 10 = 961310 .


giving d = − 13 R. Finally, we compute AB = 2R 1 − 13

8. Let ABC be an acute triangle with circumcircle Γ. Let the internal angle bisector of ∠BAC intersect
BC and Γ at E and N , respectively. Let A0 be the antipode of A on Γ and let V be the point where
AA0 intersects BC. Given that EV = 6, V A0 = 7, and A0 N = 9, compute the radius of Γ.
Proposed by: James Lin
15
Answer: 2

Solution 1: Let Ha be the foot of the altitude from A to BC. Since AE bisects ∠Ha AV , by the angle
AHa AHa
bisector theorem H aE
= VAVE . Note that 4AHa E ∼ 4AN A0 are similar right triangles, so NAN
A 0 = Ha E .
 √ √
Let R be the radius of Γ. We know that AA0 = 2R, so AN = AA02 − N A02 = 4R2 − 81 and
AV = AA0 − V A0 = 2R − 7. Therefore
√
4R2 − 81 AN AHa AV 2R − 7
= = = = .
9 N A0 Ha E VE 6
The resulting quadratic equation is

0 = 9(2R − 7)2 − 4(4R2 − 81) = 20R2 − 252R + 765 = (2R − 15)(10R − 51).
15
We are given that ABC is acute so V A0 < R. Therefore R = 2 .

B C
Ha E V
K A0

√
Solution 2: Let Ψ denote inversion about A with radius AB · AC composed with reflection about
AE. Note that Ψ swaps the pairs {B, C}, {E, N }, and {Ha , A0 }. Let K = Ψ(V ), which is also the
second intersection of AHa with Γ. Since AE bisects ∠KAA0 , we have N K = N A0 = 9. By the
inversion distance formula,
AB · AC · V E AE · AN · V E AN · V E
NK = = = .
AE · AV AE · AV AV
This leads to the same equation as the previous solution.

9. Circles ωa , ωb , ωc have centers A, B, C, respectively and are pairwise externally tangent at points
D, E, F (with D ∈ BC, E ∈ CA, F ∈ AB). Lines BE and CF meet at T . Given that ωa has ra-
dius 341, there exists a line ` tangent to all three circles, and there exists a circle of radius 49 tangent
to all three circles, compute the distance from T to `.
Proposed by: Andrew Gu
Answer: 294
Solution 1: We will use the following notation: let ω be the circle of radius 49 tangent to each of
ωa , ωb , ωc . Let ωa , ωb , ωc have radii ra , rb , rc respectively. Let γ be the incircle of ABC, with center
I and radius r. Note that DEF is the intouch triangle of ABC and γ is orthogonal to ωa , ωb , ωc
(i.e. ID, IE, IF are the common internal tangents). Since AD, BE, CF are concurrent at T , we have
K = AB ∩ DE satisfies (A, B; F, K) = −1, so K is the external center of homothety of ωa and ωb . In
particular, K lies on `. Similarly, BC ∩ EF also lies on `, so ` is the polar of T to γ. Hence IT ⊥ ` so
if L is the foot from I to `, we have IT · IL = r2 .
An inversion about γ preserves ωa , ωb , ωc and sends ` to the circle with diameter IT . Since inversion
preserves tangency, the circle with diameter IT must be ω. Therefore IT = 98 by the condition of the
problem statement. Letting a, b, c be the radii of ωa , ωb , ωc respectively and invoking Heron’s formula
as well as A = rs for triangle ABC, we see that γ has radius
r
ra rb rc
r= .
ra + rb + rc

We will compute this quantity using Descartes’ theorem. Note that there are two circles tangent to ωa ,
ωb , ωc , one with radius IT /2 and one with radius ∞. By Descartes’ circle theorem, we have (where
ka := 1/a is the curvature)
p 1
ka + kb + kc + 2 ka kb + kb kc + ka kc =
IT /2

and p
ka + kb + kc − 2 ka kb + kb kc + kc ka = 0,
which implies r
ra + rb + rc p 1
= ka kb + kb kc + kc ka = .
ra rb rc 2IT
r2
Therefore r = 2IT , which means IL = IT = 4IT and T L = 3IT = 294.

I
A
T D
F
B

L K

Solution 2: Using the same notation as the previous solution, note that the point T can be expressed
with un-normalized barycentric coordinates
 
1 1 1
: :
ra rb rc

with respect to ABC because T is the Gergonne point of triangle ABC. The distance from T to ` can
be expressed as a weighted average of the distances from each of the points A, B, C, which is

1/ra 1/rb 1/rc 3

· ra + · rb + · rc = .
1/ra + 1/rb + 1/rc 1/ra + 1/rb + 1/rc 1/ra + 1/rb + 1/rc 1/ra + 1/rb + 1/rc
 Note that there are two circles tangent to ωa , ωb , ωc , one with radius 49 and one with radius ∞. By
Descartes’ circle theorem, we have (where ka := 1/ra is the curvature)
p 1
ka + kb + kc + 2 ka kb + kb kc + ka kc =
49
and p
ka + kb + kc − 2 ka kb + kb kc + kc ka = 0,
so ka + kb + kc = 1/98. The distance from T to ` is then 3 · 98 = 294.

Solution 3: As in the first solution, we deduce that IT is a diameter of ω, with T being the point on
ω closest to `. By Steiner’s porism, we can hold ω and ` fixed while making ωc into a line parallel to
`, resulting in the following figure:

E I D

A F B

Let R be the common radius of ωa and ωb and r be the radius of ω. Notice that ABDE is a rectan-
gle with center T , so R = AE = 2IT = 4r. The distance from T to ` is IL−IT = 2R−2r = 6r = 294.

10. Let Γ be a circle of radius 1 centered at O. A circle Ω is said to be friendly if there exist distinct circles
ω1 , ω2 , . . ., ω2020 , such that for all 1 ≤ i ≤ 2020, ωi is tangent to Γ, Ω, and ωi+1 . (Here, ω2021 = ω1 .)
For each point P in the plane, let f (P ) denote the sum of the areas of all friendly circles centered at
P . If A and B are points such that OA = 21 and OB = 13 , determine f (A) − f (B).
Proposed by: Michael Ren
1000
Answer: 9 π

Solution: Let P satisfy OP = x. (For now, we focus on f (P ) and ignore the A and B from the
problem statement.) The key idea is that if we invert at some point along OP such that the images
of Γ and Ω are concentric, then ωi still exist. Suppose that this inversion fixes Γ and takes Ω to Ω0 of
radius r (and X to X 0 in general). If the √ inversion is centered at a point Q along ray OP such that
OQ = d, then the radius of inversion is d2 − 1. Let the diameter of Ω meet OQ at A and B with A
closer to Q than B. Then, (AB; P P∞ ) = −1 inverts to (A0 B 0 ; P 0 Q) = −1, where P∞ is the point at
2 2
infinity along line OP , so P 0 is the inverse of Q in Ω0 . We can compute OP 0 = rd so P 0 Q = d − rd
2 2 2
and P Q = d −1 r2
. Thus, we get the equation d −1 r2
+ x = d, which rearranges to d1−r
2 −r 2 d = x, or
d− d d− d
d2 − x−1 (1 − r2 )d − r2 = 0. Now, we note that the radius of Ω is
1 d2 − 1 d2 − 1 r(d2 − 1) r2 − 1
   
1  x
AB = − = 2 2
= r 1 + 2 2
=r 1− .
2 2 d−r d+r d −r d −r d
√ √
(1−r 2 )± r 4 −(2−4x2 )r 2 +1 x 1−r 2 ± r 4 −(2−4x2 )r 2 +1
The quadratic formula gives us that d = 2x , so d = − 2r 2 ,
which means that the radius of Ω is
q
r + 1r ± r2 + r12 − 2 + 4x2
p
r2 + 1 ± r4 − (2 − 4x2 )r2 + 1
= .
2r 2
 1
Note that if r gives a valid chain of 2020 circles, so will r by homothety/inversion. Thus, we can think
q
r+ r1 ± r 2 + r12 −1
1
of each pair of r, as giving rise to two possible values of the radius of Ω, which are
r 2 .
This means that the pairs have the same sum of radii as the circles centered at O, and the √ product
of the radii is 1 − x2 . (A simpler way to see this is to note that inversion at P with radius 1 − x2
swaps the two circles.) From this, it follows that the difference between the sum of the areas for each
pair is 2π 212 − 312 = 18 5
π. There are ϕ(2020)


2 = 400 such pairs, which can be explicitly computed as
πk πk
1−sin 1+sin 1000
1+sin
2020
πk , 1−sin 2020
πk for positive integers k < 1010 relatively prime to 2020. Thus, the answer is 9 π.
2020 2020