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 and are points of tangency, then equals:
Answer: E
Small Hint:
The marked -inch measure is the circle’s diameter
Big Hint:
With radius the center is inch above the vertex because
Solution:
The radius is 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 angle, so the center is inch above the vertex. Hence the top tangent is inch above the vertex. Since the ledge is inch above the vertex,
Thus, the correct answer is E.