1954 AMC 12 Problem 46

Attempt Problem 46 of the 1954 AMC 12 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 1954 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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46.

In the diagram, if points A,A, B,B, and CC are points of tangency, then xx equals:

316 in.\dfrac3{16}\text{ in.}

18 in.\dfrac18\text{ in.}

132 in.\dfrac1{32}\text{ in.}

332 in.\dfrac3{32}\text{ in.}

116 in.\dfrac1{16}\text{ in.}

Answer: E
Concepts:tangent circlesangle bisectorspecial right triangle
Difficulty rating: 1630
Small Hint:

The marked 38\frac{3}{8}-inch measure is the circle’s diameter

Big Hint:

With radius 316,\frac{3}{16}, the center is 38\frac{3}{8} inch above the 6060^\circ vertex because sin30=12\sin30^\circ=\frac{1}{2}

Solution:

The radius is 316\frac{3}{16} inch. The center lies on the angle bisector. The perpendicular radius to either sloping side and the segment from the vertex to the center form a right triangle with a 3030^\circ angle, so the center is 316sin30=38 \frac{\frac{3}{16}}{\sin30^\circ}=\frac38 inch above the vertex. Hence the top tangent is 38+316=916\frac{3}{8}+\frac{3}{16}=\frac{9}{16} inch above the vertex. Since the ledge is 12\frac{1}{2} inch above the vertex, x=91612=116 in. x=\frac9{16}-\frac12=\frac1{16}\text{ in.}

Thus, the correct answer is E.

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Problem 46 in Other Years

1950 AMC 12 · 1951 AMC 12 · 1952 AMC 12 · 1953 AMC 12 · 1955 AMC 12 · 1956 AMC 12 · 1957 AMC 12 · 1958 AMC 12 · 1959 AMC 12