2003 AMC 10A Problem 17

Attempt Problem 17 of the 2003 AMC 10A below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2003 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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17.

The number of inches in the perimeter of an equilateral triangle equals the number of square inches in the area of its circumscribed circle. What is the radius, in inches, of the circle?

32π\dfrac{3\sqrt{2}}{\pi}

33π\dfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{\pi}

3\sqrt{3}

6π\dfrac{6}{\pi}

3π\sqrt{3}\pi

Answer: B
Concepts:equilateral trianglecircumcircle, circumcenter, and circumradiusspecial right triangle
Difficulty rating: 1600
Solution:

Let the side length be ss and the circumradius be R.R. From a 3030-6060-9090 triangle formed by the center and a side, R=s3,R = \dfrac{s}{\sqrt{3}}, so s=R3.s = R\sqrt{3}.

The perimeter is 3s=3R33s = 3R\sqrt{3} and the circle's area is πR2.\pi R^2.

Setting them equal, 3R3=πR2,3R\sqrt{3} = \pi R^2, so R=33π.R = \dfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{\pi}.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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