Difference between revisions of "2014 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 12"

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\textbf{(E) }4\qquad</math>
 
\textbf{(E) }4\qquad</math>
  
==Solution==
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==Solution 1==
  
 
Let the radius of the larger and smaller circles be <math>x</math> and <math>y</math>, respectively. Also, let their centers be <math>O_1</math> and <math>O_2</math>, respectively. Then the ratio we need to find is
 
Let the radius of the larger and smaller circles be <math>x</math> and <math>y</math>, respectively. Also, let their centers be <math>O_1</math> and <math>O_2</math>, respectively. Then the ratio we need to find is
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<cmath> \dfrac{x^2}{y^2} = \dfrac{1}{2 - \sqrt{3}} = \dfrac{2 + \sqrt{3}}{4-3} = 2 + \sqrt{3}=\boxed{\textbf{(D)}}</cmath>
 
<cmath> \dfrac{x^2}{y^2} = \dfrac{1}{2 - \sqrt{3}} = \dfrac{2 + \sqrt{3}}{4-3} = 2 + \sqrt{3}=\boxed{\textbf{(D)}}</cmath>
 
(Solution by brandbest1)
 
(Solution by brandbest1)
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==Solution 2==
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Again, let the radius of the larger and smaller circles be <math>x</math> and <math>y</math>, respectively, and let the centers of these circles be <math>O_1</math> and <math>O_2</math>, respectively.  Let <math>X</math> bisect segment <math>AB</math>.  Note that <math>\triangle AXO_1</math> and <math>\triangle AXO_2</math> are right triangles, with <math>\angle AO_1X=15^{\circ}</math> and <math>\angle AO_2X=30^{\circ}</math>.  We have <math>\sin{15} = \dfrac{AX}{x}</math> and <math>\sin{30} = \dfrac{AX}{y}</math>  and <math>\dfrac{x}{y} = \dfrac{\sin{30}}{\sin{15}}</math>. Since the ratio of the area of the larger circle to that of the smaller circle is simply <math>\dfrac{\pi x^2}{\pi y^2} = \left(\dfrac{x}{y} \right)^2 = \left(\dfrac{\sin{30}}{\sin{15}} \right)^2</math>, we just need to find <math>\sin{30}</math> and <math>\sin{15}</math>.  We know <math>sin{30} = \dfrac{1}{2}</math>, and we can use the angle sum formula or half angle formula to compute <math>\sin{15} = \dfrac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{4}</math>. Plugging this into the previous expression, we get: <cmath>\left(\dfrac {x}{y} \right)^2 = \left(\dfrac{1/2}{\dfrac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{4}} \right)^2 = \left(\dfrac{\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{2}}{2} \right)^2 = 2 + \sqrt{3} =\boxed{\textbf{(D)}}</cmath>
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(Solution by kevin38017)
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
 
{{AMC12 box|year=2014|ab=A|num-b=11|num-a=13}}
 
{{AMC12 box|year=2014|ab=A|num-b=11|num-a=13}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 23:30, 11 February 2014

Problem

Two circles intersect at points $A$ and $B$. The minor arcs $AB$ measure $30^\circ$ on one circle and $60^\circ$ on the other circle. What is the ratio of the area of the larger circle to the area of the smaller circle?

$\textbf{(A) }2\qquad \textbf{(B) }1+\sqrt3\qquad \textbf{(C) }3\qquad \textbf{(D) }2+\sqrt3\qquad \textbf{(E) }4\qquad$

Solution 1

Let the radius of the larger and smaller circles be $x$ and $y$, respectively. Also, let their centers be $O_1$ and $O_2$, respectively. Then the ratio we need to find is \[\dfrac{\pi x^2}{\pi y^2} = \dfrac{x^2}{y^2}\] Draw the radii from the centers of the circles to $A$ and $B$. We can easily conclude that the $30^{\circ}$ belongs to the larger circle, and the $60$ degree arc belongs to the smaller circle. Therefore, $m\angle AO_1B = 30^{\circ}$ and $m\angle AO_2B = 60^{\circ}$. Note that $\Delta AO_2B$ is equilateral, so when chord AB is drawn, it has length $y$. Now, applying the Law of Cosines on $\Delta AO_1B$: \[y^2 = x^2 + x^2 - 2x^2\cos{30} = 2x^2 - x^2\sqrt{3} = (2 - \sqrt{3})x^2\] \[\dfrac{x^2}{y^2} = \dfrac{1}{2 - \sqrt{3}} = \dfrac{2 + \sqrt{3}}{4-3} = 2 + \sqrt{3}=\boxed{\textbf{(D)}}\] (Solution by brandbest1)

Solution 2

Again, let the radius of the larger and smaller circles be $x$ and $y$, respectively, and let the centers of these circles be $O_1$ and $O_2$, respectively. Let $X$ bisect segment $AB$. Note that $\triangle AXO_1$ and $\triangle AXO_2$ are right triangles, with $\angle AO_1X=15^{\circ}$ and $\angle AO_2X=30^{\circ}$. We have $\sin{15} = \dfrac{AX}{x}$ and $\sin{30} = \dfrac{AX}{y}$ and $\dfrac{x}{y} = \dfrac{\sin{30}}{\sin{15}}$. Since the ratio of the area of the larger circle to that of the smaller circle is simply $\dfrac{\pi x^2}{\pi y^2} = \left(\dfrac{x}{y} \right)^2 = \left(\dfrac{\sin{30}}{\sin{15}} \right)^2$, we just need to find $\sin{30}$ and $\sin{15}$. We know $sin{30} = \dfrac{1}{2}$, and we can use the angle sum formula or half angle formula to compute $\sin{15} = \dfrac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{4}$. Plugging this into the previous expression, we get: \[\left(\dfrac {x}{y} \right)^2 = \left(\dfrac{1/2}{\dfrac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{4}} \right)^2 = \left(\dfrac{\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{2}}{2} \right)^2 = 2 + \sqrt{3} =\boxed{\textbf{(D)}}\] (Solution by kevin38017)

See Also

2014 AMC 12A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 11
Followed by
Problem 13
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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