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2013 AMC 12B Problem 16

Problem 16 of 25IntermediateGeometryProblem-Solving Techniques

Let ABCDEABCDE be an equiangular convex pentagon of perimeter 1.1. The pairwise intersections of the lines that extend the sides of the pentagon determine a five-pointed star polygon. Let ss be the perimeter of this star. What is the difference between the maximum and the minimum possible values of s?s?

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Solution

An equiangular pentagon has all interior angles 108∘,108^\circ, so each point of the star is an isosceles triangle with base angles 72∘72^\circ and apex 36∘.36^\circ. By the equal base angles, each point contributes two sides that are the same fixed multiple cc of the pentagon side it rests on. Summing over the five points, the star perimeter equals 2c⋅(pentagon perimeter)=2c,2c\cdot(\text{pentagon perimeter}) = 2c, independent of the individual side lengths. So ss is constant, and the difference between its maximum and minimum values is 0.0. Thus, the correct answer is A.
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Tagged: equiangular polygon · isosceles triangle · invariant

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