Problem 1: Complex Numbers AIME 1994 #8

Problem: The points (0, 0), (a, 11), and (b, 37) are the vertices of an equilateral triangle.
Find the value of ab.

Lemma: The rotation of the point (x, y) counterclockwise about an angle of θ is given by

x0 = x cos θ − y sin θ
y 0 = x sin θ + y cos θ

Corollary: The rotation of the point x + yi counterclockwise about an angle of θ is given by

(x + yi)(cos θ + i sin θ)

Solution: Consider the equilateral triangle in the complex plane. That is, (a, 11) represents
the point a+11i and (b, 37) represents the point b+37i. Then b+37i is a 60◦ counterclockwise
rotation of a + 11i about the origin, or (a + 11i)cis(60◦ ) = b + 37i
√ !
3i 1
(a + 11i) + = b + 37i
2 2

√ √
a 3ai 11i 11 3
+ + − = b + 37i
2 2 2 2
Setting the real and imaginary parts equal:
√
a − 11 3 = 2b

√
3a + 11 = 74

63
√ √ √
From the second equation, a = √ 3
= 21 3. Then we obtain 21 3 − 11 3 = 2b or
√
b = 5 3 after plugging back into the first equation.
√
√

Finally, ab = 21 3 5 3 = 315 .

Solution was written by Qiaochu Yuan and compiled from Art of Problem Solving Forums.