MathDB
Putnam 1962 A3

Source: Putnam 1962

May 15, 2022
PutnamratioTrianglearea of a triangle

Problem Statement

In a triangle ABCABC, let AA' be a point on the segment BCBC, BB' be a point on the segment CACA and CC' a point on the segment ABAB such that ABBC=BCCA=CAAB=k, \frac{AB'}{B'C}= \frac{BC'}{C'A} =\frac{CA'}{A'B}=k, where kk is a positive constant. Let \triangle be the triangle formed by the interesctions of AAAA', BBBB' and CCCC'. Prove that the areas of \triangle and ABCABC are in the ratio (k1)2k2+k+1.\frac{(k-1)^{2}}{k^2 +k+1}.