1994 AMC 12 Problem 29

Attempt Problem 29 of the 1994 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 1994 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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29.

Points A,A, BB and CC on a circle of radius rr are situated so that AB=AC,AB=AC, AB>r,AB\gt r, and the length of minor arc BC\overset{\frown}{BC} is r.r. If angles are measured in radians, then ABBC=\frac{AB}{BC}=

12csc14\frac12\csc\frac14

2cos122\cos\frac12

4sin124\sin\frac12

csc12\csc\frac12

2sec122\sec\frac12

Answer: A
Concepts:arc lengthchord lengthtrigonometric identities
Difficulty rating: 2280
Small Hint:

The minor arc BC\overset{\frown}{BC} subtends a central angle of 11 radian

Big Hint:

Use the chord formula 2rsin(θ2)2r\sin(\frac{\theta}{2}) for both BCBC and ABAB

Solution:

The central angle subtending minor arc BC\overset{\frown}{BC} is rr=1,\frac{r}{r}=1, so BC=2rsin12.BC=2r\sin\frac12. Since AB=ACAB=AC and AB>r,AB\gt r, point AA is the midpoint of the major arc BC.BC. The minor central angle from AA to BB is π12,\pi-\frac12, so AB=2rAB=2rsin(π122)=2rcos14.\sin\left(\frac{\pi-\frac{1}{2}}{2}\right)=2r\cos\frac14. Therefore ABBC=cos(14)sin(12)\frac{AB}{BC}=\frac{\cos(\frac{1}{4})}{\sin(\frac{1}{2})}=12sin(14)=12csc14.=\frac1{2\sin(\frac{1}{4})}=\frac12\csc\frac14. Thus the correct answer is A.

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