2011 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 6

Problem

Two tangents to a circle are drawn from a point $A$ . The points of contact $B$ and $C$ divide the circle into arcs with lengths in the ratio $2 : 3$ . What is the degree measure of $\angle{BAC}$ ?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 24 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 30 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 36 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 48 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 60$

Solution

In order to solve this problem, use of the tangent-tangent intersection theorem (Angle of intersection between two tangents dividing a circle into arc length A and arc length B = 1/2 (Arc A° - Arc B°).

In order to utilize this theorem, the degree measures of the arcs must be found. First, set A (Arc length A) equal to 3d, and B (Arc length B) equal to 2d.

Setting 3d+2d = 360° will find d = 72°, and so therefore Arc length A in degrees will equal 216° and arc length B will equal 144°.

Finally, simply plug the two arc lengths into the tangent-tangent intersection theorem, and the answer:

1/2 (216°-144°) = 1/2 (72°) $=\boxed{36 \textbf{(C)}}.$

Solution 2

Let arc A be 3x and arc B be 2x. Then the angle formed by the tangents is $\frac{3x-2x}2 = \frac {x} 2$ by the arc length formula. Also note that $3x + 2x = 360$ , which simplifies to $x= 72.$ Hence the angle formed by the tangents is equal to $\boxed{36 \textbf{(C)}}$ .

2011 AMC 12B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 5	Followed by Problem 7
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All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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2011 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 6

Contents

Problem

Solution

Solution 2

See also