2023 AMC 12B Problem 21
Attempt Problem 21 of the 2023 AMC 12B 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 2023 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.
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21.
A lampshade is made in the form of the lateral surface of the frustum of a right circular cone. The height of the frustum is inches, its top diameter is inches, and its bottom diameter is inches. A bug is at the bottom of the lampshade and there is a glob of honey on the top edge of the lampshade at the spot farthest from the bug. The bug wants to crawl to the honey, but it must stay on the surface of the lampshade. What is the length in inches of its shortest path to the honey?
Answer: E
Small Hint:
Extend the frustum to a full cone (apex slant distances and ); it unrolls to a sector of angle
Big Hint:
The straight line to the honey cuts across the missing top cone, so the path runs tangent to the inner circle of radius then along its arc
Solution:
Extend the frustum to a full cone. Since the radii are and with slant band the apex is slant distance from the top rim and from the bottom rim. The bottom circumference unrolls to a sector of radius and angle Place the bug at in this pattern; the honey, halfway around the base, is at radius and angle The straight chord between them passes within radius (off the surface), so the geodesic goes tangent to the circle of radius the tangent has length and touches at angle after which the path follows the arc of angle on radius of length The shortest path is
Thus, the correct answer is E.
Problem 21 in Other Years
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