2007 AMC 12A Problem 8

Attempt Problem 8 of the 2007 AMC 12A 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 2007 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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8.

A star-polygon is drawn on a clock face by drawing a chord from each number to the fifth number counted clockwise from that number. That is, chords are drawn from 1212 to 5,5, from 55 to 10,10, from 1010 to 3,3, and so on, ending back at 12.12. What is the degree measure of the angle at each vertex in the star-polygon?

2020

2424

3030

3636

6060

Answer: C
Concepts:inscribed anglearc
Difficulty rating: 1350
Solution:

Consider the two chords meeting at the number 5.5. They run to 1212 and to 10,10, so the arc they subtend extends from 1010 to 12.12.

That arc spans two of the twelve hour-marks, so its measure is 212360=60.\tfrac{2}{12}\cdot 360^\circ=60^\circ.

By the Inscribed Angle Theorem, the vertex angle is half the arc, or 1260=30.\tfrac12\cdot 60^\circ=30^\circ. By symmetry every vertex angle equals 30.30^\circ.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

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