GreenlightTestPrep wrote:
If two points, A and B, are randomly placed on the circumference of a circle with circumference 12pi inches, what is the probability that the length of chord AB is at least 6 inches?
(A) 1/(2pi)
(B) 1/pi
(C) 1/3
(D) 2/pi
(E) 2/3
Let's first determine the details of this circle.
For any circle, circumference = (diameter)(pi)
The circumference of the given circle is 12pi inches, so we can write: 12pi inches= (diameter)(pi)
This tells us that the diameter of the circle = 12 inches
It also tells us that
the radius of the circle = 6 inchesOkay, now let's solve the question.
We'll begin by arbitrarily placing point A somewhere on the circumference.
![Image](https://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/GMATPrepNow/c1_zpsauzqfzb9.png)
So, we want to know the probability that a randomly-placed point B will yield a chord AB that is at least 6 inches long.
So, let's first find a location for point B that creates a chord that is EXACTLY 6 inches.
![Image](https://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/GMATPrepNow/c2_zpsjtall5xw.png)
There's also another location for point B that creates another chord that is EXACTLY 6 inches.
![Image](https://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/GMATPrepNow/c3_zpsbdyvle98.png)
IMPORTANT: For chord AB to be
greater than or equal to 6 inches, point B must be placed somewhere along the red portion of the circle's circumference.
![Image](https://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/GMATPrepNow/c4_zpsovzjbvhw.png)
So, the question really boils down to, "What is the probability that point B is randomly placed somewhere on the red line?"
To determine this probability, notice that the 6-inch chords are the same length as the circle's radius (6 inches)
![Image](https://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/GMATPrepNow/c5_zpspqjnr3d6.png)
Since these 2 triangles have sides of equal length, they are equilateral triangles, which means each interior angle is 60 degrees.
![Image](https://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/GMATPrepNow/c6_zpssxbrteja.png)
The 2 central angles (from the equilateral triangles) add to 120 degrees.
This means the remaining central angle must be 240 degrees.
![Image](https://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/GMATPrepNow/c7_zpshzmhhj3r.png)
This tells us that the red portion of the circle represents 240/360 of the entire circle.
So, P(point B is randomly placed somewhere on the red line) = 240/360 = 2/3
Answer: