[Math] Length of string around a cone

contest-mathgeometry

A cone has base diameter $1$ and slant height $3$ units. From a point $A$ halfway up the side of the cone, a string is passed twice around it to come to a point $B$ on the circumference of the base, directly below $A$. The string is then pulled until taut. How far is it from A to B along this taut string?

diagram

Unsure of how to approach this strange looking question, any help would be appreciated.

Best Answer

The string is taut, so it's a geodesic. Try cutting the cone along the line AB and laying it out as a disk-with-wedge-removed in the plane (sort of a pac-man shape). The line will then appear as a pair of straight lines in the plane (because it got cut in half).

If you can solve the problem for the "once around" case, the "twice around probably won't be too tough.