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2004 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 24

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Problem 24

A plane contains points A and B with AB = 1. Let S be the union of all disks of radius 1 in the plane that cover \overline{AB}. What is the area of S?

\text {(A)} 2\pi + \sqrt3 \qquad \text {(B)} \frac {8\pi}{3} \qquad \text {(C)} 3\pi - \frac {\sqrt3}{2} \qquad \text {(D)} \...


Solution

pair A=(-.5,0), B=(.5,0), C=(0,3**(.5)/2), D=(0,-3**(.5)/2);draw(arc(A,2,-60,60),blue);draw(arc(B,2,120,240),blue);draw(circl...

As the red circles move about segment AB, they cover the area we are looking for. On the left side, the circle must move around pivoted on B. On the right side, the circle must move pivoted on A However, at the top and bottom, the circle must lie on both A and B, giving us our upper and lower bounds.

This egg-like shape is S.

pair A=(-.5,0), B=(.5,0), C=(0,3**(.5)/2), D=(0,-3**(.5)/2);draw(arc(A,2,-60,60),blue);draw(arc(B,2,120,240),blue);draw(arc(C...

The area of the region can be found by dividing it into several sectors, namely

\begin{align*}A &= 2(\mathrm{Blue\ Sector}) + 2(\mathrm{Red\ Sector}) - 2(\mathrm{Equilateral\ Triangle}) \\A &= 2\le...

See also

2004 AMC 12A (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 23
Followed by
Problem 25
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Want to learn how to tackle those tough AMC/AIME/Olympiad algebra problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Intermediate Algebra by Richard Rusczyk and Mathew Crawford. Over 1600 problems!
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