2010 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 6

Problem

A circle is centered at $O$ , $\overline{AB}$ is a diameter and $C$ is a point on the circle with $\angle COB = 50^\circ$ . What is the degree measure of $\angle CAB$ ?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 20 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 25 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 45 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 50 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 65$

Solution

Assuming we do not already know an inscribed angle is always half of its central angle, we will try a different approach. Since $O$ is the center, $OC$ and $OA$ are radii and they are congruent. Thus, $\triangle COA$ is an isosceles triangle. Also, note that $\angle COB$ and $\angle COA$ are supplementary, then $\angle COA = 180 - 50 = 130^{\circ}$ . Since $\triangle COA$ is isosceles, then $\angle OCA \cong \angle OAC$ . They also sum to $50^{\circ}$ , so each angle is $\boxed{\textbf{(B)}\ 25}$ .

2010 AMC 10B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 5	Followed by Problem 7
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2010 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 6

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