1996 AMC 12 Problem 30

Attempt Problem 30 of the 1996 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 1996 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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30.

A hexagon inscribed in a circle has three consecutive sides each of length 33 and three consecutive sides each of length 5.5. The chord of the circle that divides the hexagon into two trapezoids, one with three sides each of length 33 and the other with three sides each of length 5,5, has length equal to mn,\frac{m}{n}, where mm and nn are relatively prime positive integers. Find m+n.m+n.

309309

349349

369369

389389

409409

Answer: E
Concepts:cyclic polygonstrigonometrytriple-angle identities
Difficulty rating: 2330
Small Hint:

Let α\alpha and β\beta be the half-central angles subtended by sides 33 and 55

Big Hint:

Use α+β=60\alpha+\beta=60^\circ and the chord ratio to find sin2α\sin^2\alpha, then apply sin3αsinα\frac{\sin3\alpha}{\sin\alpha}

Solution:

Let the circle have radius R,R, and let α,β\alpha,\beta be the half-central angles for the sides 3,5.3,5. Then 3=2Rsinα,3=2R\sin\alpha, 5=2Rsinβ,5=2R\sin\beta, and α+β=60.\alpha+\beta=60^\circ. Thus 53=sin(60α)sinα\frac53=\frac{\sin(60^\circ-\alpha)}{\sin\alpha} =32cotα12,=\frac{\sqrt3}{2}\cot\alpha-\frac12, so tanα=3313\tan\alpha=\frac{3\sqrt3}{13} and sin2α=27196.\sin^2\alpha=\frac{27}{196}. The dividing chord spans the three consecutive sides of length 3,3, so L3=sin3αsinα\frac L3=\frac{\sin3\alpha}{\sin\alpha} =34sin2α=32749=12049.=3-4\sin^2\alpha=3-\frac{27}{49}=\frac{120}{49}. Therefore L=36049,L=\frac{360}{49}, so m+n=409.m+n=409. The correct answer is E.

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