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2021 Fall AMC 12B Problems/Problem 9

Revision as of 19:34, 9 January 2022 by Sharpemind (talk | contribs)

Problem

Triangle $ABC$ is equilateral with side length $6$. Suppose that $O$ is the center of the inscribed circle of this triangle. What is the area of the circle passing through $A$, $O$, and $C$?

$\textbf{(A)} \: 9\pi \qquad\textbf{(B)} \: 12\pi \qquad\textbf{(C)} \: 18\pi \qquad\textbf{(D)} \: 24\pi \qquad\textbf{(E)} \: 27\pi$

Solution 1 (Cosine Rule)

Construct the circle that passes through $A$, $O$, and $C$, centered at $X$.

Also notice that $\overline{OA}$ and $\overline{OC}$ are the angle bisectors of angle $\angle BAC$ and $\angle BCA$ respectively. We then deduce $\angle AOC=120^\circ$.

Consider another point $M$ on Circle $X$ opposite to point $O$.

As $AOCM$ is an inscribed quadrilateral of Circle $X$, $\angle AMC=180^\circ-120^\circ=60^\circ$.

Afterward, deduce that $\angle AXC=2·\angle AMC=120^\circ$.

By the Cosine Rule, we have the equation: (where $r$ is the radius of circle $X$)

$2r^2(1-\cos(120^\circ))=6^2$

$r^2=12$

The area is therefore $\pi r^2 = \boxed{\textbf{(B)}\ 12\pi}$.

~Wilhelm Z

Solution 2

We have $\angle AOC = 120^\circ$.

Denote by $R$ the circumradius of $\triangle AOC$. In $\triangle AOC$, the law of sines implies \[ 2 R = \frac{AC}{\sin \angle AOC} = 4 \sqrt{3} . \]

Hence, the area of the circumcircle of $\triangle AOC$ is \[ \pi R^2 = 12 \pi . \]

Therefore, the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(B) }12 \pi}$.

~Steven Chen (www.professorchenedu.com)

Solution 3

As before, construct the circle that passes through $A$, $O$, and $C$, centered at $X$. Let $Y$ be the intersection of $\overline{OX}$ and $\overline{AB}$.

Note that since $\overline{OA}$ is the angle bisector of $\angle BAC$ that $\angle OAC=30^\circ$. Also by symmetry, $\overline{OX}$ $\perp$ $\overline{AB}$ and $AY = 3$. Thus $\tan(30^\circ) = \frac{OY}{3}$ so $OY = \sqrt{3}$.

Let $r$ be the radius of circle $X$, and note that $AX = OX = r$. So $\triangle AYX$ is a right triangle with legs


-SharpeMind

See Also

2021 Fall AMC 12B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 8 		Followed by
Problem 10
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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