A circle with radius r, is inside an equilateral triangle, with sides x cm
The circumference of the circle touches each side of the triangle
The area of the circle is 100 cm^2
Work out the value of x
Give your answer to 2 significant figures
First find the radius of the circle area = pi r^2 r = 5.64 cm
Then tan 30 = 1/2 / (sqrt(3) /2)) = r/(1/2x) where x is side length
1/2 / sqrt 3/ 2 = r/(1/2 x)
1/2 x * .57735 = r = 5.64 x = 19.53 ~~~ 20 cm (two sig-figs
See diagram below:
Ooops ...forgot diagram (and I found an error...fixed)
The radius of the circle is : sqrt [ (100) / pi ] = 10 / sqrt (pi)
We can find 1/2 of the length of the side of the triangle thusly :
[ (1/2)x ] / sin (60) = [10/ sqrt (pi)] / sin (30)
x / [ 2 sqrt (3) /2 ] = 2 * 10 / sqrt(pi)
x / sqrt (3) = 20/ sqrt(pi)
x = 20 sqrt (3) / sqrt (pi) = 20 sqrt (3/pi) ≈ 19.54 cm
( 20 cm rounded to 2 sig figs )
The radius of the circle is : sqrt [ (100) / pi ] = 10 / sqrt (pi)
We can find 1/2 of the length of the side of the triangle thusly :
[ (1/2)x ] / sin (60) = [10/ sqrt (pi)] / sin (30)
x / [ 2 sqrt (3) /2 ] = 2 * 10 / sqrt(pi)
x / sqrt (3) = 20/ sqrt(pi)
x = 20 sqrt (3) / sqrt (pi) = 20 sqrt (3/pi) ≈ 19.54 cm