Difference between revisions of "2012 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 10"
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− | Starting with the smallest term, <math>a - 5x \cdots a, a + x \cdots a + 6x</math> where a is the sixth term and x is the difference. The sum becomes <math>12a + 6x = 360</math> since there are <math>360</math> degrees in the central angle of the circle. The only condition left is that the smallest term in greater than zero. Therefore, <math>a - 5x > 0</math>. | + | Starting with the smallest term, <math>a - 5x \cdots a, a + x \cdots a + 6x</math> where <math>a</math> is the sixth term and <math>x</math> is the difference. The sum becomes <math>12a + 6x = 360</math> since there are <math>360</math> degrees in the central angle of the circle. The only condition left is that the smallest term in greater than zero. Therefore, <math>a - 5x > 0</math>. |
<cmath>2a + x = 60</cmath> | <cmath>2a + x = 60</cmath> | ||
<cmath>x = 60 - 2a</cmath> | <cmath>x = 60 - 2a</cmath> |
Revision as of 02:30, 10 February 2017
- The following problem is from both the 2012 AMC 12A #7 and 2012 AMC 10A #10, so both problems redirect to this page.
Contents
Problem
Mary divides a circle into 12 sectors. The central angles of these sectors, measured in degrees, are all integers and they form an arithmetic sequence. What is the degree measure of the smallest possible sector angle?
Solution 1
If we let be the smallest sector angle and
be the difference between consecutive sector angles, then we have the angles
. Use the formula for the sum of an arithmetic sequence and set it equal to 360, the number of degrees in a circle.
All sector angles are integers so must be a multiple of 2. Plug in even integers for
starting from 2 to minimize
We find this value to be 4 and the minimum value of
to be
Solution 2
Starting with the smallest term, where
is the sixth term and
is the difference. The sum becomes
since there are
degrees in the central angle of the circle. The only condition left is that the smallest term in greater than zero. Therefore,
.
Since
is an integer, it must be
, and therefore,
is
.
is
See Also
2012 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 9 |
Followed by Problem 11 | |
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 10 Problems and Solutions |
2012 AMC 12A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | |
Preceded by Problem 6 |
Followed by Problem 8 |
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 |
The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.