Question

The closed curve in the figure is made up of $9$ congruent circular arcs each of length $\dfrac{2\pi}{3},$ where each of the centers of the corresponding circles is among the vertices of a regular hexagon of side $2.$ What is the area enclosed by the curve?

$2\pi+6$

$2\pi+4\sqrt{3}$

$3\pi+4$

$2\pi+3\sqrt{3}+2$

$\pi+6\sqrt{3}$

Answer: E

Concepts:sector regular polygon area decomposition

Difficulty rating: 1930

Solution:

Each arc has radius $1$ and length $2\pi/3,$ so the corresponding circular sectors all have the same area. As the diagram shows, the sector pieces may be rearranged: everything added to the regular hexagon combines to exactly one unit circle.

The regular hexagon is made of six equilateral triangles of side $2,$ so its area is $6\left(\dfrac{\sqrt3}{4}\cdot2^2\right)=6\sqrt3.$ Adding the unit circle gives a total enclosed area of $\pi+6\sqrt3.$

Thus, E is the correct answer.

2012 AMC 10A Problem 18

Answer: E

Difficulty rating: 1930

Solution:

Problem 18 in Other Years