2021 AMC 12B Fall Problem 9

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 9 of the 2021 AMC 12B Fall, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2021 AMC 12B Fall solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:equilateral triangle circumcircle, circumcenter, and circumradius law of sines

Difficulty rating: 1610

Triangle $ABC$ is equilateral with side length $6.$ Suppose that $O$ is the center of the inscribed circle of this triangle. What is the area of the circle passing through $A,$ $O,$ and $C?$

$9\pi$

$12\pi$

$18\pi$

$24\pi$

$27\pi$

Solution:

For an equilateral triangle, $O$ is also the circumcenter, so $OA = OC = \dfrac{6}{\sqrt3} = 2\sqrt3.$ The central angle $\angle AOC = 120^\circ.$

In triangle $AOC,$ side $AC = 6$ is opposite the $120^\circ$ angle, so the circumradius $R'$ of this triangle satisfies $2R' = \dfrac{6}{\sin 120^\circ} = 4\sqrt3,$ giving $R' = 2\sqrt3.$

The area of the circle is $\pi (2\sqrt3)^2 = 12\pi.$

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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