AoPSWiki
Looking for a challenging algebra text? Preparing for MATHCOUNTS or the AMC exams?
Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Algebra by Richard Rusczyk.

1995 AHSME Problems/Problem 17

From AoPSWiki

Problem

Given regular pentagon ABCDE, a circle can be drawn that is tangent to \overline{DC} at D and to \overline{AB} at A. The number of degrees in minor arc AD is

Image:1995 AHSME num.17.png

\mathrm{(A) \ 72 } \qquad \mathrm{(B) \ 108 } \qquad \mathrm{(C) \ 120 } \qquad \mathrm{(D) \ 135 } \qquad \mathrm{(E) \ 144 ...

Solution

Define major arc DA as DA, and minor arc DA as da. Extending DC and AB to meet at F, we see that \angle CFB=36=\frac{DA-da}{2}. We now have two equations: DA-da=72, and DA+da=360. Solving, DA=216 and da=144\Rightarrow \mathrm{(E)}.

See also

1995 AHSME (Problems)
Preceded by
Problem 16
Followed by
Problem 18
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Add a glimpse of the Art of Problem Solving Forum to your own site!
Click here for details!
© Copyright 2008 AoPS Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. • FoundationPrivacyContact Us