Question

Equilateral triangle $ABP$ with side $AB$ of length $2$ inches is placed inside square $AXYZ$ with side of length $4$ inches so that $B$ is on side $AX.$ The triangle is rotated clockwise about $B,$ then $P,$ and so on along the sides of the square until $P,$ $A,$ and $B$ all return to their original positions. The length of the path in inches traversed by vertex $P$ is equal to:

$\dfrac{20\pi}{3}$

$\dfrac{32\pi}{3}$

$12\pi$

$\dfrac{40\pi}{3}$

$15\pi$

Answer: D

Concepts:equilateral triangle transformation arc process simulation

Difficulty rating: 2450

Small Hint:

Track the orientation after one eight-pivot circuit of the square

Big Hint:

Three circuits are needed; classify the pivots according to whether $P$ is fixed or moves through a $120^\circ$ or $30^\circ$ arc

Solution:

One circuit of the square uses $8$ pivots and changes the triangle’s orientation by $\frac{2}{3}$ of a full turn. Therefore $3$ circuits, or $24$ pivots, are required to restore the entire triangle. In $8$ of those pivots the rotation is about $P,$ so $P$ does not move. In the other $16,$ eight arcs subtend $120^\circ$ and eight subtend $30^\circ,$ all with radius $2.$ Hence the total path length is $\begin{aligned} &8\left(\frac13\cdot4\pi\right) +8\left(\frac1{12}\cdot4\pi\right)\\ &\qquad=\frac{32\pi}{3}+\frac{8\pi}{3}\\ &\qquad=\frac{40\pi}{3}. \end{aligned}$

Therefore, the correct answer is D.

1972 AMC 12 Problem 35

Answer: D

Difficulty rating: 2450

Small Hint:

Big Hint:

Solution:

Problem 35 in Other Years