Chapter 14: Problem 45
An equilateral triangle has a circle inscribed in it and is circumscribed by a circle. There is another equilateral triangle inscribed in the inner circle. Find the ratio of the areas of the outer circle and the inner equilateral triangle. (1) \(\frac{16 \pi}{3 \sqrt{3}}\) (2) \(\frac{8 \pi}{2 \sqrt{3}}\) (3) \(\frac{24 \pi}{3 \sqrt{3}}\) (4) None of these
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Assign variables
Find the relationship between r and x
Find the relationship between R and a
Find the relationship between x and a
Find the areas of the outer circle and inner equilateral triangle
Find the ratio of the areas
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Equilateral Triangle
- The height of an equilateral triangle can be calculated as \(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}a\), where \(a\) is the side length.
- Each altitude (or height) equally bisects the opposite side, forming two 30-60-90 triangles within the equilateral triangle.
- Its area can be determined using the formula: \(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}a^2\).
Inscribed Circle
- The radius \(r\) of the inscribed circle can be found using the formula: \(r = \frac{a\sqrt{3}}{6}\).
- The diameter of the incircle is half the height of the triangle.
- An incircle maximizes its area within the confines of the triangle, effectively showing the efficiency of the equilateral triangle's design.
Circumscribed Circle
- The formula for the radius \(R\) of the circumcircle is \(R = \frac{a\sqrt{3}}{3}\).
- The circumcenter is equidistant from all three vertices and coincides with the centroid and incenter in equilateral triangles due to its symmetry.
30-60-90 Triangle
- The sides of a 30-60-90 triangle are in the ratio 1:√3:2.
- The shortest side is opposite the smallest angle (30 degrees), the longest side (the hypotenuse) is twice as long as the shortest side, and the medium side is √3 times the shortest side.
- This consistent ratio makes calculations involving these triangles straightforward and is used in many geometry problems.
Area Ratio
- The outer circle is the circumcircle of the larger equilateral triangle.
- The inner equilateral triangle fits snugly within the incircle of the larger equilateral triangle, which provides a base point for calculation.
- Using the known formulas for the areas of circles and triangles allows for the derivation of an area ratio.