Geometry Week 25 - 2689 Introduction To Geometry

11/22/21, 9:13 PM 2689 Introduction to Geometry
Introduction to Geometry (2689)

Achilleas Sinefakopoulos
Friday
Apr 30, 2021 - Oct 8, 2021
7:30 - 9:00 PM ET (4:30 - 6:00 PM PT)
Overview
Week 24 (Oct 8) Class Transcript - More Problems!
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Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:29:33
Hi, everyone!
dan09
2021-10-08 19:29:45
Hello!
joeshu60091
2021-10-08 19:29:45
hi
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 19:29:45
hi!
Sunshine2016
2021-10-08 19:29:45
hi!
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:29:45
Hello!
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:29:45
Hello!
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 19:29:45
Hello Achilleas!
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:29:45
hi
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:29:49
Introduction to Geometry
Week 24: More Problems!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:29:54
As this is the last class, be sure to fill out your feedback form on the class homepage! Your ideas and suggestions help us make
AoPS even more amazing than it already is.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:30:07
We'll continue with the theme from last week by covering a variety of challenging problems employing strategies we learned
throughout the course.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:30:11
First, let's spend a little time in three dimensions talking about volume.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:30:13
Cavalieri's Principle
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:30:17
A pyramid of height H is cut by a plane parallel to the base. The new pyramid has height h.
https://artofproblemsolving.com/class/2689-intro-geometry/transcript/40752 1/45
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:30:20

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:30:30
If the original pyramid has base of area B, what is the area of the base of the new pyramid?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:30:35
What do you notice about the bases?
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 19:30:57
they are similar
pwr
2021-10-08 19:30:57
they are similar
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 19:30:57
similar triangles
dan09
2021-10-08 19:30:57
They are similar triangles
superhero2020
2021-10-08 19:30:57
they are similar triangle
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:30:57
They're similar triangles.
Teediv
2021-10-08 19:30:57
they are similar
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 19:30:57
They are similar
arw
2021-10-08 19:30:57
they are similar
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:30:57
they are similar
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:31:02
It looks as though they're similar. How can we prove that?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:31:06
What else do we know is similar?
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:31:26
The faces of the pyramid
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:31:26
we know the faces of the pyramid are similar
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:31:27
The faces of the pyramids are similar.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:31:34

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:31:44
What makes these triangles similar?
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 19:32:12
AAA similarity
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 19:32:12
AA similarity
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:32:12
parallel lines and AA similarity
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:32:12
AA similarity
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:32:14
We know from the given information that the sides of the bases opposite the apex (the top vertex of the pyramid) are parallel, so
the base angles of the triangles are the same. Therefore we have AA similarity.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:32:26
Now why are the base triangles of the pyramids similar? Which similarity theorem will we use here?
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:33:00
SSS similarity
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:33:00
SSS similarity
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:33:00
SSS similarity
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:33:00
SSS similarity?
CalvinGarces
2021-10-08 19:33:00
SSS similarity?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:33:03
We see the bases of the pyramids are similar by SSS similarity.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:33:07
The data we are given is about the heights. How can we go about getting the ratio here?
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:33:36
draw the heights?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:33:39
Let's draw the altitude of the pyramids.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:33:40

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:33:50
Since we know that the base triangles for the pyramids are similar, we know that their corresponding side lengths all have an equal
ratio.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:34:15
What is the ratio of the side lengths of the base triangles of the two pyramids, in terms of the heights H and h? (larger/smaller)
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 19:35:03
H/h
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:35:03
H/h
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:35:03
H/h
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 19:35:03
H/h
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:35:03
H/h
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:35:05
H H
The legs of the similar right triangles illustrated above are in a ratio of . In particular, their hypotenuses have the same
h h
ratio.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:35:16
H
That forces the side lengths of the triangles in this figure to be in a ratio of also:
h
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:35:18

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:35:22
Because each pair of faces share an edge, the same holds for all the faces. Therefore the edges of the bases of the pyramid are in
H
ratio also.
h
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:35:31

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:35:38
B
What about the areas of the bases? If the smaller base has area b and the larger base has area B, then what is ?
b
superhero2020
2021-10-08 19:36:25
H^2/h^2
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:36:25
H^2/h^2
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:36:25
2
H
2
h
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 19:36:25
H
2
( )
h
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:36:25
2
H
2
h
cwc28
2021-10-08 19:36:25
H^2/h^2
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:36:27
2 2
H H H
We saw before that if two triangles are similar with proportion then the ratio of their areas is ( ) = .
2
h h h
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:36:31
2
B H
Therefore = .
2
b h
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:36:49
For example, a 6 − 8 − 10 triangle has how many times the area of a 3 − 4 − 5 triangle?
joeshu60091
2021-10-08 19:37:24
4
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 19:37:24
4 times
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 19:37:24
4 times
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:37:24
4
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:37:24
4
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:37:24
4
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 19:37:24
4
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 19:37:24
4
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:37:24
Four times.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:37:30
A 6 − 8 − 10 triangle has 4 times the area of a 3 − 4 − 5 triangle.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:37:38
(You may hear people express this idea by saying "For similar figures, corresponding areas scale like the square of the ratio of
corresponding sides.")
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:37:49
Here is the general result:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:37:51
Regardless of the shape of a pyramid's base, any cross-section parallel to the base is similar to the base and the base areas are in
2
H
the proportion , the square of the proportions of the altitudes.
2
h
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:37:58

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:38:02

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:38:06
As an exercise, you should check for yourself later that the same thing even holds for cones! The same idea applies since the radii
2
H H
are in proportion. That gives us base areas in proportion also.
2
h h
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:38:19
And what about volume? In other words:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:39:14
H
In terms of the ratio of the heights , what is the volume of the smaller pyramid if the larger pyramid has a volume of V ? That is,
h
V
if the larger pyramid has volume V and the smaller has volume v, then what is ?
v
pwr
2021-10-08 19:40:32
H^3/h^3
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:40:32
H^3/h^3
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 19:40:32
H^3/h^3
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:40:32
3
H
3
h
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 19:40:32
3
H
3
h
CalvinGarces
2021-10-08 19:40:32
H^3/h^3
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:40:32
3
H
3
h
dan09
2021-10-08 19:40:32
V H 3
= ( )
v h
Brendangho
2021-10-08 19:40:32
H^3/h^3
joeshu60091
2021-10-08 19:40:32
H^3/h^3
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:40:32
H^3/h^3
tkubota
2021-10-08 19:40:32
3
V H
= 3
v h
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 19:40:32
3
H
3
h
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:40:32
3
V H
v
= 3
.
h
superhero2020
2021-10-08 19:40:32
3
H
3
h
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 19:40:32
(H/h)^3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:40:43
1 1
The volume of the larger pyramid is V = B ⋅ H and the volume of the smaller pyramid is v = b ⋅ h.
3 3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:40:49
So we find that
1
V BH
3
=
v 1
bh
3
B H
= ⋅
b h
2
H H
= ⋅
2
h h
3
H
= .
3
h
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:41:03
(You may hear people express this idea by saying "For similar figures, corresponding volumes scale like the cube of the ratio of
corresponding sides.")
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:41:16
Now here's why we're talking so much about cross-sections:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:41:18
Cavalieri's Principle states that if you line two three-dimensional shapes up next to each other and they have the same cross-
sectional areas at each height and the same overall height, then they have the same volumes!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:41:30
For example, if three pyramids/cones standing next to each other have the same base area and same height, then they have the
same cross-sectional area at a given height like we just saw. Therefore they have the same volume.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:41:37

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:41:42
In case you don't find Cavalieri's Principle intuitively plausible, imagine for a moment a stack of coins. The volume of that stack of
coins stays the same, no matter how exactly you arrange the coins on top of each other. Then imagine the coins getting thinner
and thinner (less and less tall), but at the same time putting more coins into the stack so that you maintain the same overall
height. In essence, Cavalieri's Principle is what you get when you let the height (the thickness) of the individual coins tend toward
0.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:41:58
One great thing about this (assuming we believe Cavalieri's Principle) is that if we can prove that the volume of just one pyramid is
equal to then we know the same formula holds for every pyramid and every cone with the same base and
1
Base × height,
3
height!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:42:11
Try doing this later! Try to find a way to compute the volume of some pyramid using only Cavalieri's principle on your own. Here's
the key diagram for you to consider:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:42:28
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:42:38
We won't prove Cavalieri's Principle together in class. The nice proofs I know use a little bit of calculus, so they're beyond the
scope of this course. However, if we accept it on faith for the time being (with the understanding that you'll learn in a few years the
tools you'd need to prove it for yourself), then there are some cool things we can do with it.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:42:53
Here's, in my opinion, one of the coolest applications:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:42:54
Compute the volume of a hemisphere of radius r.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:42:59

Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:44:30
2
.
3
πr
3
GarudS
2021-10-08 19:44:30
2 3
πr
3
hchhaya
2021-10-08 19:44:30
(2(pi)r^3)/3
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 19:44:30
(2/3)*pi*r^3
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:44:30
3
2πr
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 19:44:30
(2/3)*(pi)*(r^3)
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:44:30
2
3
r π
3
Sunshine2016
2021-10-08 19:44:30
(2/3)πr^3
Hridhaan
2021-10-08 19:44:30
(2/3)pi*r^3
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:44:30
3
2πr
Sarah010
2021-10-08 19:44:30
(2/3)*pi*r^3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:44:35
Of course, you all know the volume of a hemisphere is but maybe you've never seen a proof of this. We stated the formula
2 3
πr ,
3
for the volume of a sphere back in Week 18 but we didn't prove it!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:44:46
Now we'll prove it, using Cavalieri's Principle and other volumes we've seen. If we want to use Cavalieri's Principle for this, what do
we need to think about?
Hridhaan
2021-10-08 19:45:12
cross sections
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:45:12
cross-sections
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:45:14
We need to think about cross-sectional areas at various heights in the hemisphere.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:45:17

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:45:22
At the base we have an area of πr2 . At the top we have an area of 0. The question is: what is the area of a cross-section a distance
of h from the base?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:45:28
To find the area of the red cross-section, we need to find its radius. What should we do?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:46:16
Let's first take a vertical cross-sectional slice down the middle, giving us diameters of the blue and red circles in the diagram
above:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:46:21

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:46:25
Here, we've also marked the height of the horizontal cross-section by h. So now we are dealing with a semicircle cut by a chord
parallel to the diameter.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:46:39
What might we do now to find the red radius?
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 19:46:53
Construct a right triangle!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:46:56
How?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:47:53
connect the center to a point where the red line meets the circle
pwr
2021-10-08 19:47:53
by drawing a line from the midpoint of the blue line to the endpoints of the red line
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:47:53
Connect the end of the red lines to the intersection of h and the blue line
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 19:47:53
Draw a line from the intersection of the red line and H to the intersection of the blue line and the semicircle
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:47:53
By drawing a straight line from the base of the altitude to the intersection of the red line and the semicircle.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:47:58
We can draw a diagonal radius of the hemisphere to make a useful right triangle.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:47:59

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:48:07
Remember, r is the radius of our original hemisphere. So what's the radius s of the cross-section?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:48:13
(s =?)
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:49:13
2
s = √r − h
2
.
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:49:13
s = √r − h
2 2
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:49:13
s = √r − h
2 2
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:49:13
s = sqrt(r^2 - h^2)
cwc28
2021-10-08 19:49:13
s= sqrt(r^2-h^2)
Sarah010
2021-10-08 19:49:13
s=sqrt(r^2-h^2)
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 19:49:13
s = sqrt(r^2-h^2)
GarudS
2021-10-08 19:49:13
s = √r − h
2 2
iejake
2021-10-08 19:49:13
s=sqrt(r^2-h^2)
RyanL2019
2021-10-08 19:49:13
s= sqrt (r^2-h^2)
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:49:18
By the Pythagorean Theorem, the cross-section has radius s 2 2
= √r − h . In terms of r and h, what's the area of the cross-
section?
pwr
2021-10-08 19:50:03
(r^2-h^2)pi
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 19:50:03
(r^2 - h^2)pi
superhero2020
2021-10-08 19:50:03
2 2
π(r − h )
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:50:05
The area of the cross-section is
2
2 2 2 2
π(√r − h ) = πr − πh .
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:50:09
That's pretty. Can you think of any other figure with the same cross-sectional areas?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:50:24
Perhaps not immediately. But maybe if we think about it for a few minutes...
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:50:26
As h increases from 0 to r, the cross-sectional area gets smaller. In our formula, πr2 is some constant value and πh2 increases.
Let's think about these terms separately.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:50:43
To start, can you think of anything with a constant cross-sectional area of πr2 (at every height)?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:50:54
(Again, keep in mind that r is being considered a fixed number - it is the radius of our original hemisphere.)
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 19:51:31
a cylinder
superhero2020
2021-10-08 19:51:31
a cylinder with radius r
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:51:31
a cylinder
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:51:33
Since the value r is fixed, the cross-sectional area is a constant. Since that looks like the area of a circle, let's make every cross-
section a circle of radius r. To apply Cavalieri's principle, we'll need our object to have the same height as our hemisphere. A
cylinder of radius r and height r will do the trick.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:51:52
Can you think of anything with a cross-sectional area πh2 ? (Remember, h is increasing -- getting larger.)
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 19:52:32
A cone
dan09
2021-10-08 19:52:32
Cone?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:52:32
cone
Sunshine2016
2021-10-08 19:52:32
a cone?
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:52:32
a cone?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:52:35
That's a cone! Where's the vertex?
superhero2020
2021-10-08 19:53:15
at the bottom
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:53:17
When h = 0 we're at the point of the cone, so the cone is upside-down -- like an ice cream cone getting ready to be filled with ice
cream!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:53:22
So, if we focus on the areas of the cross-sections, we have the relationship:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:53:23

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:53:34
What is the volume of the cylinder of height r and radius r?
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:54:12
3
πr
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:54:12
πr
3
.
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:54:12
3
πr
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:54:12
pi(r^3)
Brendangho
2021-10-08 19:54:12
3
πr
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:54:14
The volume of such a cylinder is πr2 ⋅ r = πr .
3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:54:16
What is the volume of the cone of base radius r and height r?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:54:59
pi(r^3)/3
GarudS
2021-10-08 19:54:59
1 3
πr
3
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:54:59
.
1 3
πr
3
pwr
2021-10-08 19:54:59
r^3*pi/3
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:54:59
3
πr
Brendangho
2021-10-08 19:54:59
3
πr /3
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:55:04
3
πr
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:55:06
3
r πr
The volume of the cone is πr2 ⋅ = .
3 3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:55:16
Therefore, what's the volume of a hemisphere?
max_z
2021-10-08 19:55:59
(2pir^3)/3
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 19:55:59
(2 pi r^3)/3
dan09
2021-10-08 19:55:59
2 3
πr
3
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:55:59
2pi(r^3)/3
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:55:59
.
2 3
πr
3
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:55:59
3
2πr
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:56:01
Applying Cavalieri's principle, we now see that the volume of the hemisphere is
3 3
πr 2πr
3
πr − = .
3 3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:56:11
4
As an immediate consequence, we therefore see that the volume of a sphere of radius r is 3
πr !
3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:56:17
Incidentally, we can make the right side a single figure (and not worry what subtraction means) by cutting the cone out of the
cylinder like so:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:56:21

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:56:36
Let's change gears now and think about some problems!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:56:39
Challenging Problems in 2D
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:56:49
Six congruent circles form a ring with each circle externally tangent to the two circles adjacent to it. All six circles are internally
tangent to a circle C with radius 30. Let K be the area of the region inside C and outside all of the six circles in the ring. Find
⌊K⌋. (The notation ⌊K⌋ denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to K.)
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:57:12
Where might we begin with a problem such as this one?
hchhaya
2021-10-08 19:57:35
first draw a diagram
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 19:57:35
draw a diagram
max_z
2021-10-08 19:57:35
maybe start with a diagram?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 19:57:35
draw a diagram
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 19:57:35
draw a diagram
Hridhaan
2021-10-08 19:57:35
A diagram?
iejake
2021-10-08 19:57:35
draw the picture
tkubota
2021-10-08 19:57:35
draw a diagram
dan09
2021-10-08 19:57:35
Make a digram
Sunshine2016
2021-10-08 19:57:35
draw a diagram!
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:57:35
Draw a diagram!!
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:57:35
draw a diagram
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 19:57:35
A diagram.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:57:37
A good starting point is a diagram:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:57:39

Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:57:47
We're given the radius of the big circle, and are looking for the area of the red region. What are we going to need to figure out in
order to find that area?
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 19:58:45
the radius of the small circles
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 19:58:45
Suraahi
2021-10-08 19:58:45
The radius of the small and big circles
pwr
2021-10-08 19:58:45
find the radius of the white circles
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 19:58:45
The area of one of the smaller circles
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 19:58:45
the radius of the white circles
tkubota
2021-10-08 19:58:45
the radius of the 6 small circles
Brendangho
2021-10-08 19:58:45
the radii of the smaller circles and the big circle
Brendangho
2021-10-08 19:58:45
the radii of the smaller circles
Teediv
2021-10-08 19:58:45
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 19:58:45
The area of the white circles.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:59:03
In order to find the answer to this problem, we need to find the area (via the radius) of each smaller circle.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:59:07
Any ideas for what we might do to try to find the radius of the white circles?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:59:15
What might we add to our diagram?
Sarah010
2021-10-08 19:59:54
connect the centers of the small circles
Achilleas
2021-10-08 19:59:56
It is sometimes helpful to connect the centers between tangent circles. In this case a very nice picture emerges:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:00:02

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:00:11
What can we say about this hexagon?
pwr
2021-10-08 20:00:47
it is regular
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:00:47
It's regular
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 20:00:47
It is a regular hexagon
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:00:47
it's a regular hexagon
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:00:47
it is a regular hexagon
GarudS
2021-10-08 20:00:47
it's regular
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:00:47
It's a regular hexagon.
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:00:47
regular hexagon
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:00:47
It is regular
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:00:47
it is regular
hchhaya
2021-10-08 20:00:50
it is regular
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:00:52
Due to symmetry we can prove that the hexagon is regular.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:00:59
Can we now say anything about the radii of the small circles?
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:02:23
the radius of a small circle * 2 = 1 side of the hexagon
superhero2020
2021-10-08 20:02:23
the radius is half of the side length of the hexagon
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 20:02:23
The side of the hexagon is twice the length of one of the radii
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:02:27
We see that the radii of the circles are each half the length of a side of the hexagon. As a regular hexagon breaks up into six
congruent equilateral triangles, this means the radii are each half the length of a side of each of the triangles.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:02:52
Let r be the radius of the small circles. We'd like to find r, and we're given the radius of the large circle.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:03:03
What is the diameter of the large circle, in terms of r?
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:03:54
6r.
hchhaya
2021-10-08 20:03:54
6r
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:03:54
6r
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:03:54
6r
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:03:54
6r
pwr
2021-10-08 20:03:54
6r
tkubota
2021-10-08 20:03:54
6r
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:03:54
6r
cwc28
2021-10-08 20:03:54
6r
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:03:58

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:04:00
We see that the diameter of the large circle is r + 2r + 2r + r (just look left to right!) = 6r. So what is r?
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:04:31
r = 10
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:04:31
r=10
pwr
2021-10-08 20:04:31
r=10
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:04:31
r=10
joeshu60091
2021-10-08 20:04:31
r=10
tkubota
2021-10-08 20:04:31
r = 10
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:04:31
r = 10
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:04:31
r=10
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:04:31
r = 10.
Sarah010
2021-10-08 20:04:31
r=10
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:04:35
The diameter of the large circle is also 60, so 6r = 60, which means r = 10.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:04:41
So, what's the red area?
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 20:05:33
300 pi
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:05:33
300π
pwr
2021-10-08 20:05:33
900pi-6(100pi)=900pi-600pi=300pi
hchhaya
2021-10-08 20:05:33
300pi
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:05:33
300pi
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:05:33
300pi
Teediv
2021-10-08 20:05:33
300 pi
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:05:35
The total area inside the larger circle and outside of the six smaller circles is

2 2
(30) π − 6(10) π = 900π − 600π = 300π ≈ 300(3.142) = 942.6.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:05:42
So, what's our final answer?
joeshu60091
2021-10-08 20:06:18
942
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:06:18
942
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:06:18
942
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:06:18
942.
pwr
2021-10-08 20:06:18
942
Sunshine2016
2021-10-08 20:06:18
942
dan09
2021-10-08 20:06:18
942
hchhaya
2021-10-08 20:06:18
942
max_z
2021-10-08 20:06:18
942
Teediv
2021-10-08 20:06:18
942
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:06:21
Thus we see our final answer is ⌊K⌋ = 942.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:06:49
Next example:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:06:51
Line k is tangent to two intersecting circles at points A and B. Prove that the line through the two points where the circles
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
intersect bisects segment AB.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:07:03
Where should we start?
Sarah010
2021-10-08 20:07:21
draw a diagram
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 20:07:21
draw a diagram
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:07:24
We draw a diagram, and label the points we think will be key points - the points of intersection and the point where the line through
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
these points hits AB.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:07:32

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:07:44
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
We want to show that X is the midpoint of AB.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:07:48
What geometry tools should we consider?
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:08:24
Power of a point theorem?
pwr
2021-10-08 20:08:24
power of a point?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:08:26
We have a tangent and a common secant of two circles, and we have a question about lengths. This suggests Power of a Point.
What does Power of a Point tell us about X ?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:08:51
In particular, what do we get from the power of point X with respect to the circle on the left?
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:09:54
XA^2 = XQ * XP
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:09:54
XQ*XP=XA^2
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:09:54
2
XP ⋅ XQ = XA
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:09:54
.
2
XQ ⋅ XP = AX
cwc28
2021-10-08 20:09:54
QX*PX=AX^2
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 20:09:54
(XP)(XQ) = XA^2
pwr
2021-10-08 20:09:54
XA^2=XQ*XP
Sarah010
2021-10-08 20:09:54
AX^2 = XQ*PX
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:10:06
From the power of point X with respect to the circle on the left, we have XA2 = XQ ⋅ XP .
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:10:16
What do we get from the power of point X with respect to the circle on the right?
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:11:01
XB^2 = XQ *ＸＰ
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:11:01
2
P X ⋅ XQ = XB
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:11:01
XQ ⋅ XP = XB
2
.
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:11:01
XQ*XP=XB^2
GarudS
2021-10-08 20:11:01
2
(XQ)(XP ) = XB
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:11:01
XB^2=XQ*XP
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 20:11:01
(XP)(XQ) = XB^2
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:11:01
2
XB = XQ ⋅ XP
Sarah010
2021-10-08 20:11:01
XB^2 = XQ *XP
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:11:03
From the power of point X with respect to the circle on the right, we have XB2 = XQ ⋅ XP .
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:11:11
What do these relations tell us?
superhero2020
2021-10-08 20:11:53
XA^2=XB^2
pwr
2021-10-08 20:11:53
XB^2=XA^2
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:11:53
2 2
AX = XB
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:12:00
We have XB2 = XQ ⋅ XP = XA .
2
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:12:18
that XB^2=XA^2, therefore XA=XB
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:12:18
XB^2 = AX^2, so AX = XB
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:12:18
XB
2
= XQ ⋅ XP
XA
2
= XQ ⋅ XP so XB = XA
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:12:18
XB^2 = XA^2, so XA = XB
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:12:22
therefore we have XA = XB (because lengths are never negative, we can discard the second possible solution that says
XA = −XB).
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:12:26
What do we conclude from that?
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:12:57
X is the midpoint of AB
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:12:57
X is the midpoint of segment AB
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 20:12:57
That X is the midpoint of segment AB
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:12:57
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:12:57
pwr
2021-10-08 20:12:57
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:12:59
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
We conclude that X is the midpoint of AB.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:13:01
Notice that we used clues in the problem to tell us which tool to try. Once we pulled out that tool, the problem fell apart. This is an
example of why it's important to recognize what types of problem a given tool is useful for.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:13:25
There are two possible triangles ABK with AB = 13, BK = 10, and ∠A = 40 degrees. What is the sum of the two possible
values of ∠B? What is the product of the two possible values of AK?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:13:36
We'll start with a diagram:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:13:37

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:13:50
That's the start of the diagram. The problem then tells us there are two possible ways to choose a point K to complete the
triangle. How can we draw the two places where K could be?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:14:42
draw a circle centered at B with radius 10
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:14:42
A circle with center B and radius 10
cwc28
2021-10-08 20:14:42
draw a circle with B as its center with radius 10
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:14:42
draw a circle at point B with radius 10
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:14:44
Since K is 10 from B, it is on the circle with B as center and with radius 10. That circle hits the shown ray at two points. Let's call
those G and C.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:14:52

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:15:01
The problem asks us to find the sum of the two possible angles at B. That's ∠ABG + ∠ABC in this diagram. How might we get
started trying to find this?
pwr
2021-10-08 20:15:50
assign variables?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:16:50
I see that many suggest using trigonometry, but that might help only for some special angles. It is not clear how it would help with
this problem.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:17:04
We need values for two angles. We don't know them, so let's use variables. We will call ∠ABG = x. (Don't just stare at problems -
- start sticking in variables and do some math.)
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:17:08
What can we do now? Are there any other angles we can express in terms of x?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:17:19
How about ∠AGB?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:17:35
(use degrees, where needed)
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:18:23
∠AGB = 140 º−x

shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:18:23
<AGB = 140 degrees - x
iejake
2021-10-08 20:18:23
140 degrees-x
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:18:23
140 degrees - x
pwr
2021-10-08 20:18:23
<AGB=140 degrees -x
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:18:23
140 degrees-x
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:18:30
∠AGB = 140 − x in order for the angles in △ABG to add to 180 . Now what?
∘ ∘
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:18:41
How about ∠BGC?
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:19:49
∘
∠BGC = 40 + x
pwr
2021-10-08 20:19:49
<BGC=40 degrees +x
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 20:19:49
40 degrees +x
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:19:49
∠BGC = 40 + x.
∘
RyanL2019
2021-10-08 20:19:49
∠BGC=40 degrees +x
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 20:19:49
Angle BGC is 40 degrees + x
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:19:49
∠BGC = 180 º − (140º − x) = 40º + x
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:19:49
<BGC = 40 degrees + x
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:19:55
∠BGC = 40 + x because it is supplementary to ∠AGB (or because it is an exterior angle of triangle ABG). And then?
∘
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:20:46
<BCG = 40º + x
cwc28
2021-10-08 20:20:46
<BCG=40 degrees +x too
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:20:46
we know ∠BCG = ∠BGC =
∘
40 + x
pwr
2021-10-08 20:20:46
<BCG=40 degrees+x since BG=BC
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:20:54
∠BCG = 40 + x because triangle BGC is isosceles. And then?
∘
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:21:32
∠GBC = 100 º − 2x
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:21:32
∘
∠GBC = 100 − 2x
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:21:32
Since <BCG = <BGC, <GBC = 100 degrees - 2x
pwr
2021-10-08 20:21:32
<CBG= 100 degrees -2x
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:21:38
∘
∠GBC = 100 − 2x
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:21:41
∠GBC = 100 − 2x in order for the angles of △BGC to add to 180 .
∘ ∘
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:21:44
Now that we have all the angles in terms of x, let's work on computing the sum we were asked for. We need the sum of ∠ABG
and ∠ABC.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:22:05
What do we get?
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:23:13
∘
∠ABG + ∠ABC = 100
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:23:13
100 degrees
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:23:13
<ABG = x and <ABC = 100 degrees - x so <ABG + <ABC = 100 degrees
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:23:15
Since ∠ABG = x and
∘ ∘
∠ABC = ∠ABG + ∠GBC = x + 100 − 2x = 100 − x,
we get
∘ ∘
∠ABG + ∠ABC = x + 100 − x = 100 ,
which is our answer.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:23:24
Notice that we never even found out what x is. It turns out that x is a particularly unpleasant number to deal with (to be precise, it
is not an integer), which we could only express exactly using trigonometric functions. But it canceled out nicely anyway.
Sometimes it helps just to assign a variable and start chasing angles in the hopes you will be able to solve for something or it will
cancel out.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:23:43
¯¯
¯¯¯
¯¯¯¯
By the way, another approach to this problem would be to drop altitude BH , note that ∠ABH and that ∠ABH is the
∘
= 50
average of ∠ABG and ∠ABC (if one is 50 − y the other is 50 + y).

∘ ∘
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:23:46

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:24:03
So now let's address the second part of the question: What is the product of the two possible values of AK?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:24:09
In other words, we are looking for the product AG ⋅ AC, since these are the two possibilities for AK.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:24:10

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:24:18
Where have we discussed the product of the lengths of two line segments from the same point before?
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:24:57
POWER OF A POINT!
max_z
2021-10-08 20:24:57
like the power of a point, circles?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:24:57
power of a point?
yoyododococo123
2021-10-08 20:24:57
power of a point?
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:24:57
power of a point?
Teediv
2021-10-08 20:24:57
power of point
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:24:57
power of a point
pwr
2021-10-08 20:24:57
power of a point
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:24:57
Power of a point.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:25:01
This should get us thinking about Power of a Point. But what do we need in order to use Power of a Point?
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:25:19
a circle
GarudS
2021-10-08 20:25:19
A CIRCLE
Sunshine2016
2021-10-08 20:25:19
a circle
Teediv
2021-10-08 20:25:19
draw a circle
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:25:19
circle
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 20:25:19
A circle
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:25:26
If we want to use Power of a Point we should draw a circle. What do we want to be true about this circle, in order to get information
about AG ⋅ AC from Power of a Point?
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:26:24
We want a secant
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:26:43
What should this secant be? Which points should be on the circle?
max_z
2021-10-08 20:27:10
Create a circle with the center B and going through G and C
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:27:13
We need G and C to be the two points where a chord passes through the circle. In other words, we need G and C to both be on the
circle! So, what circle might we use? What point could we take as the center?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:27:23
We have a point, B, that's nicely equidistant from G and C, and we even know that it's 10 away from both. Therefore, a circle with
center B and radius 10 will give us a circle to work with:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:27:30

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:27:50
AG ⋅ AC is the power of the point A with respect to the circle, which will be the answer we seek. How do we find this power?
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 20:28:11
We can use power of a point
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:28:18
Which point?
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:28:38
A
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:28:38
the point A
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:28:38
A.
dan09
2021-10-08 20:28:38
Point A
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:28:38
point A
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:28:43
A
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:28:43
Point A
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:28:43
A
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:28:44
How?
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:29:12
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Extend AB until it hits the circle a second time.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:29:15
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Let's look at the line containing AB, since it's the only other line we have through A, and we do know something about it.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:29:16

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:29:56
(we saw this many times when we studied the power of a point theorem as well as in the challenge problems of the respective
week)
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:30:01
We can now compute the power of the point A as AD ⋅ AE. What's AD?
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:30:28
AD = 3
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:30:28
AD = 3
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:30:28
AD = 3.
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:30:28
AD=3
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 20:30:28
AD = 3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:30:30
We know AB = 13 and BD = 10 since it's a radius of the circle, so AD = 13 − 10 = 3. What about AE?
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:30:58
AE = 23
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:30:58
AE=23
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:30:58
AE = 23
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:30:58
AE = 23
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:30:58
AE=23
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:30:58
AE = 23 .
iejake
2021-10-08 20:30:58
AE=23
cwc28
2021-10-08 20:30:58
AE=23
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:30:58
AE = 23
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:30:58
AE=23
Sunshine2016
2021-10-08 20:31:01
AE = 23
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:31:03

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:31:07
This will be 3 plus twice the radius of 10, or 23. So what is AG ⋅ AC ?
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:31:56
69
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:31:56
69
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:31:56
AG*AC = 69
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:31:56
AG*AC=69
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:31:56
AG ⋅ AC = 69.
pwr
2021-10-08 20:31:56
69
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:31:56
69
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:31:57
The power of A using line AB is AD ⋅ AE = 3 ⋅ 23 = 69 , and hence AG ⋅ AC = 69 as well.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:32:10
Challenging Problems in 3D
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:32:16
A regular octahedron is cut by a plane parallel to one of its faces so that each edge it intersects is cut in a ratio of 1 : 2. If each
edge of the octahedron has length 6, what is the area of the cross-section of the octahedron formed by the plane?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:32:27
Let's first figure out what sort of shape the cross-section is. Here is a regular octahedron:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:32:34

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:32:48
We cut the octahedron with a plane that is parallel to one of its faces. How many faces of the octahedron will this plane intersect?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:33:12
(Please read the problem statement carefully: this plane is parallel to one of the faces of the octahedron.)
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:33:59
6 faces
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:33:59
6
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:33:59
6
superhero2020
2021-10-08 20:33:59
6
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:33:59
6?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:34:02
The plane is parallel to one of the faces, and therefore is also parallel to the opposite face. Thus the cross-section intersects every
face except a pair of opposite faces which it is parallel to, so that's 8 − 2 = 6 faces that it crosses. So what kind of shape will the
cross-section be?
RollOver2020
2021-10-08 20:34:38
a hexagon
superhero2020
2021-10-08 20:34:38
a hexagon
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:34:38
a hexagon
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:34:38
A hexagon
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:34:38
a hexagon
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:34:38
the cross-section will be a hexagon
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:34:38
hexagon?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:34:40
Each face the plane crosses gives a side of the cross-section, so the cross-section is a hexagon. It looks like this:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:34:44

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:34:54
Can we figure out the side lengths?
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:35:15
Yes
cwc28
2021-10-08 20:35:15
yeah
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:35:17
How about I H , for example?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:36:18
IH = 4
cwc28
2021-10-08 20:36:18
IH=4
superhero2020
2021-10-08 20:36:18
2
IH = 6 = 4
3
pwr
2021-10-08 20:36:18
IH=4
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:36:22
Since BCF is an equilateral triangle, and H I ∥ CF , we have BH I is equilateral and I H = BH = BI = 4. Similarly, LG = 4,
and KJ (not seen in the diagram) is 4.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:37:03
Next, how about GH ?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:37:20
GH = 2
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:37:20
GH = 2.
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:37:20
GH=2
pwr
2021-10-08 20:37:20
GH=2
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:37:20
GH = 2
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:37:22
Since ABC is an equilateral triangle, and GH ∥ AB, we have GH C is equilateral and GH = H C = 2. Similarly, I J and KL
are 2.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:37:27

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:37:35
How can we find the area of this hexagon?
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:38:13
Split it up into shapes we know
pwr
2021-10-08 20:38:13
split it up?
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:38:13
Divide it up?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:38:17
We could cut it into pieces.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:38:19
Is there something more clever we could do?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:38:26
This diagram is awfully symmetric -- what might we consider doing?
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:39:06
subtract 3 equilateral triangles with side length 2 from an equilaateral triangle with side length 8
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:39:29
This is a good idea, but it is not clear from the given diagram above. How do we see that we could do this?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:40:05
extend the three sides with length 4
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:40:05
Extend lines LG, KJ, and IH in both directions
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:40:07
The symmetry of our diagram suggests extending the long sides and viewing our hexagon as a big equilateral triangle with its
corners lopped off.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:40:12

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:40:32
How about triangle XZY ?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:41:11
it is equilateral
pwr
2021-10-08 20:41:11
equalaterial triangle with side length 8
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:41:11
it is an equilateral triangle with side length 8
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:41:18
Can anybody make a point to justify that this triangle is really equilateral?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:41:30
Think about it on your own at your leisure after class.
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:41:35
we can find its area
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:41:42
What's the area of the larger triangle?
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:42:33
16√3
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:42:33
16sqrt(3)
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:42:33
16√3 .
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:42:33
16sqrt(3)
GarudS
2021-10-08 20:42:33
16√3
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:42:33
16sqrt(3)
CalvinGarces
2021-10-08 20:42:33
16sqrt3
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:42:33
[XZY ] = 16√3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:42:36
The area of the larger triangle is
2
8 √3
= 16√3.
4
What is the area of each smaller triangle?
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:43:31
sqrt(3)
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:43:31
√3
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:43:31
√3 .
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:43:31
sqrt(3)
Sarah010
2021-10-08 20:43:31
sqrt3
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:43:31
sqrt(3)
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:43:33
The area of each smaller triangle is
2
2 √3
= √3.
4
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:43:44
So, what's the area of the hexagon?
pwr
2021-10-08 20:44:17
13*sqrt(3)
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:44:17
13√3
Wuwuspring
2021-10-08 20:44:17
13sqrt(3)
GarudS
2021-10-08 20:44:17
13√3
Sarah010
2021-10-08 20:44:17
13sqrt(3)
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:44:17
13√3
RyanL2019
2021-10-08 20:44:17
13 sqrt 3
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:44:17
13sqrt(3)
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:44:23
Hence, the area of the hexagon is
16√3 − 3 ⋅ √3 = 13√3.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:44:31
Last problem:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:44:35
Three spheres are tangent to a plane at the vertices of a triangle and are tangent to each other. Find the radii of these spheres if
the sides of the triangle are 6, 8, and 10.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:44:45
It might help your visualization to imagine three spheres of different sizes sitting on the floor, and then shoving them together until
they all touch each other. The triangle they're talking about is formed by connecting the points where each sphere sits on the
ground.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:44:59
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:45:07
We're going to have to find a good way to think about this diagram, so what does that suggest?
MathNinja7
2021-10-08 20:45:40
Look at it in a 2-d perspective
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:45:40
a cross-section
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:45:40
look at it in 2D
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:45:40
Cross sections?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:45:43
Most 3D problems are 2D problems in disguise. Let's take cross sections. What would be a good cross-section to take?
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:46:09
A cross-section that includes the spheres centers'
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:46:15
One cross section could be the plane through the centers of the three spheres. We would certainly be able to have a drawing with
radii, but what does this leave out?
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:46:40
The triangle!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:46:42
By taking that cross section we would take into account no numerical data from the problem, as it does not contain any of the
sides of the triangle in the plane tangent to the spheres. What else can we do?
pwr
2021-10-08 20:47:12
drawing from birds eye view?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:47:36
So, which plane should we take?
cwc28
2021-10-08 20:48:16
the plane that they are sitting on
Sunshine2016
2021-10-08 20:48:16
the plane with the triangle
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:48:38
The plane of the triangle misses the information on the radii of the spheres.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:49:10
We can't take the plane passing through the centers of the spheres nor the plane of the triangle. Any other ideas?
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:49:48
How about we take a plane that goes through two centers of two spheres, and also goes through two of the triangle verticies?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:49:52
Awesome!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:49:57
Let's take a plane that passes through a side of the triangle as well as the centers of the two spheres tangent to that side. What will
this cross section look like?
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:50:25
A right trapezoid.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:50:26

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:50:36
¯
¯¯¯
¯¯¯
¯¯
Here we have the cross-section through the side CD of the triangle of length 6 which is perpendicular to the plane of the triangle
so it contains the centers E and F of the spheres that are tangent to the plane at D and C . We've labelled the radii of these two
spheres as a and b.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:50:53
By now, what are we thinking immediately when we see a diagram like this?
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:51:13
Right triangles!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:51:14
Let's pull the 6 up a distance of a to make a right triangle.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:51:16

Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:51:28
What are the side lengths of right triangle EF G?
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:52:04
6, a+b, b-a
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:52:04
EG = b − a
GF = 6
EF = a + b
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:52:04
a+b, 6, and b-a
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:52:04
6, a+b, b-a
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:52:04
a + b, 6, and b − a.
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:52:04
a+b, 6 and b - a
iejake
2021-10-08 20:52:04
6, b-a,a+b
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:52:06
The hypotenuse is a + b, and the long leg is 6. The short leg is b − a. Are we going to be able to find a and b at this point?
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:52:28
no
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:52:53
We can't find a and b from a single equation, but we can get something at least and simplify it.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:52:54
Which theorem should we apply?
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:53:26
pythagorean theorem
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:53:26
Pythagorean!
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:53:26
the Pythagorean theorem
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:53:26
The Pythagorean Theorem.
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:53:26
pythagorean theorem
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:53:35
Let's do this.
2 2 2
(a + b) = 6 + (a − b)
2 2 2 2
a + 2ab + b = 36 + a − 2ab + b
2ab = 36 − 2ab
4ab = 36
ab = 9.
Now what?
Rinnypig
2021-10-08 20:54:01
Do the right trapezoid thing two more times.
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:54:01
Look at another pair of sphere centers and triangle vertices
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:54:03
Let's do the same with another pair of spheres. This time we'll use spheres with radius a and c, and the side length of the triangle
will be 8. What can we say about this setup?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:54:14
If we just use the same concept for a diagram and change out the values, what will we ultimately get?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:54:24
Instead of (a + b)2 what equation will we get?
2 2
= 6 + (a − b)
iejake
2021-10-08 20:55:15
(a+c)^2=8^2+(a-c)^2
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:55:15
2 2 2
(a + c) = 8 + (a − c)
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:55:15
(a + c)^2 = 8^2 + (a - c)^2
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:55:15
(a+c)^2=8^2+(a-c)^2
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:55:17
Our equation will be
2 2 2
(a + c) = 8 + (a − c) .
What does this simplify to?
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:55:38
ac=16
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:55:38
ac=16
RyanL2019
2021-10-08 20:55:42
64=4ac, ac=16
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:55:43
Expanding out and simplifying the same way as we did before, we get 4ac = 64, so ac = 16. What about the third cross section?
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:56:05
What equation do we get first from the Pythagorean theorem?
GarudS
2021-10-08 20:56:40
2 2 2
(b + c) = 10 + (b − c)
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:56:40
2 2 2
(b + c) = 10 + (c − b)
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:56:40
2 2 2
(b + c) = 10 + (b − c)
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:57:00
For the third cross-section we get the equation (b + c)2 = 10 + (b − c)2 , which simplifies to 4bc So, bc Okay,
2
= 100. = 25.
let's take a look at where we are at this point. What information do we have?
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 20:57:27
bc=25, ac=16 and ab=9
iejake
2021-10-08 20:57:32
ab=9, ac=16, bc=25
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:57:32
ab = 9, ac = 16 and bc = 25
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:57:34
ab = 9, ac = 16, bc = 25. What can we do with this to find a, b, and c?
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:57:55
multiply the three equations together
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:57:58
Let us multiply these relations together to obtain (abc)2 .
2 2
= 9 ⋅ 16 ⋅ 25 = (3 ⋅ 4 ⋅ 5) = 60
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:58:03
Since abc is positive, we have abc = 60 .
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:58:05
So what is a?
Yashvini
2021-10-08 20:58:27
12/5
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 20:58:27
a=12/5
iejake
2021-10-08 20:58:27
a=12/5
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:58:27
a = 60/25 = 12/5
GarudS
2021-10-08 20:58:27
12/5
RyanL2019
2021-10-08 20:58:27
a=12/5
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:58:30
abc 60 12
We see that a = = = .
bc 25 5
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:58:33
How about b?
iejake
2021-10-08 20:59:08
b=15/4
RyanL2019
2021-10-08 20:59:08
b=15/4
Brendangho
2021-10-08 20:59:08
b= 60/16 = 15/4
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 20:59:08
b = 15/4
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 20:59:08
b = 15/4
cwc28
2021-10-08 20:59:08
15/4
grayspider
2021-10-08 20:59:08
b = 15/4
Yashvini
2021-10-08 20:59:08
15/4
Suraahi
2021-10-08 20:59:08
b = 60/16 = 15/4
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:59:10
abc 60 15
Similarly, b = = = .
ac 16 4
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:59:12
ab 9 45 15
(Or, alternatively, b = = = = )
12
a 12 4
5
Achilleas
2021-10-08 20:59:18
Finally, what is c?
joeshu60091
2021-10-08 21:00:04
20/3
AndrewZhong2012
2021-10-08 21:00:04
c=20/3
shenpinyi
2021-10-08 21:00:04
c = 20/3
RyanL2019
2021-10-08 21:00:04
c=20/3
Vitah2008
2021-10-08 21:00:04
c = 20/3
Yashvini
2021-10-08 21:00:04
20/3
Sirahulania
2021-10-08 21:00:04
c=60/9=20/3
Brendangho
2021-10-08 21:00:04
c= 60/9 = 20/3
iejake
2021-10-08 21:00:04
c=20/3
GarudS
2021-10-08 21:00:04
20/3
grayspider
2021-10-08 21:00:04
c = 20/3
Suraahi
2021-10-08 21:00:04
c = 20/3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 21:00:07
abc 60 20
Using the same method again, c = = = .
ab 9 3
Achilleas
2021-10-08 21:00:13
This problem ended up being not too scary once we found an appropriate cross section to help us. And the cross section was not
particularly difficult to stumble upon once we realized what we would need in order to make progress - we needed to find the radii,
and we wanted to use the given information. There was only one type of cross-section that easily included both.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 21:00:23
Often solution methods to problems start to almost pop out at you the more practice you get working problems. Also, if you
consider what information you have and what you need, then you can often establish a clear path to the solution.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 21:00:35
SUMMARY
Achilleas
2021-10-08 21:00:37
Today, we covered a variety of challenging problems that employed tactics we learned throughout the course.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 21:00:40
Here are a few reminders for the final class:
Achilleas
2021-10-08 21:00:43
1) The class transcripts will be available for about four more weeks on the class homepage. After that, you will not be able to
access them online anymore.
Achilleas
2021-10-08 21:00:47
2) There is a class survey on the class homepage; please fill it out!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 21:01:00
I hope you enjoyed the course as much as I did!
Achilleas
2021-10-08 21:01:15
Thank you all and see you around
© 2021 Art of Problem Solving

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Geometry Week 25 - 2689 Introduction To Geometry

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Geometry Week 25 - 2689 Introduction To Geometry

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11/22/21, 9:13 PM 2689 Introduction to Geometry

Introduction to Geometry (2689)

Week 24: More Problems!

∠AGB = 140 º−x

which is our answer.

average of ∠ABG and ∠ABC (if one is 50 − y the other is 50 + y).

and KJ (not seen in the diagram) is 4.

What is the area of each smaller triangle?

What does this simplify to?

© 2021 Art of Problem Solving

Copyright © 2021 Art of Problem Solving

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