2000 AMC 12 Problems/Problem 24

Problem

If circular arcs $AC$ and $BC$ have centers at $B$ and $A$, respectively, then there exists a circle tangent to both $\overarc {AC}$ and $\overarc{BC}$, and to $\overline{AB}$. If the length of $\overarc{BC}$ is $12$, then the circumference of the circle is

[asy] label("A", (0,0), W); label("B", (64,0), E); label("C", (32, 32*sqrt(3)), N); draw(arc((0,0),64,0,60)); draw(arc((64,0),64,120,180)); draw((0,0)--(64,0)); draw(circle((32, 24), 24)); [/asy]

$\textbf {(A)}\ 24 \qquad \textbf {(B)}\ 25 \qquad \textbf {(C)}\ 26 \qquad \textbf {(D)}\ 27 \qquad \textbf {(E)}\ 28$

Solutions

Solution (Pythagorean Theorem)

First, note the triangle $ABC$ is equilateral. Next, notice that since the arc $BC$ has length 12, it follows that we can find the radius of the sector centered at $A$. $\frac {1}{6}({2}{\pi})AB=12 \implies AB=36/{\pi}$. Next, connect the center of the circle to side $AB$, and call this length $r$, and call the foot $M$. Since $ABC$ is equilateral, it follows that $MB=18/{\pi}$, and $OA$ (where O is the center of the circle) is $36/{\pi}-r$. By the Pythagorean Theorem, you get $r^2+(18/{\pi})^2=(36/{\pi}-r)^2 \implies r=27/2{\pi}$. Finally, we see that the circumference is $2{\pi}\cdot 27/2{\pi}=\boxed{(D)27}$.

Video Solution by OmegaLearn

https://youtu.be/NsQbhYfGh1Q?t=3466

~ pi_is_3.14

Video Solution

https://youtu.be/QyeaoEtgu-Y

See Also

2000 AMC 12 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 23
Followed by
Problem 25
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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