Question

A truncated cone has horizontal bases with radii $18$ and $2.$ A sphere is tangent to the top, bottom, and lateral surface of the truncated cone. What is the radius of the sphere?

$6$

$4\sqrt{5}$

$9$

$10$

$6\sqrt{3}$

Solution:

The axial cross-section is a trapezoid $ABCD$ with parallel sides $2$ and $18$ and an inscribed circle (a great circle of the sphere). By equal tangent lengths from $B$ and $C,$ the slant side $BC = 18 + 2 = 20.$ Dropping a perpendicular from $C$ to the bottom base gives a right triangle with horizontal leg $18 - 2 = 16,$ so the height is $\sqrt{20^2 - 16^2} = 12.$ The sphere's radius is half the height, $6.$

Thus, the correct answer is A.

2004 AMC 12B Problem 19

Solution:

Problem 19 in Other Years