2011 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 6
Contents
Problem
Two tangents to a circle are drawn from a point . The points of contact
and
divide the circle into arcs with lengths in the ratio
. What is the degree measure of
?
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°)
Solution 2
Let arc A be 3x and arc B be 2x. Then the angle formed by the tangents is by the arc length formula. Also note that
, which simplifies to
Hence the angle formed by the tangents is equal to
.
See also
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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