Pentastar!

Geometry Level 4

Consider a regular pentagon, whose vertices are connected to the center. In each isosceles triangle, we draw the incircle. These incircles are tangential to the same point, and this forms a curved "pentastar" in the center.

How does the area of the central "pentastar" compare to the area of one of these circles?

Strictly between 75% and 100% of the circle Strictly larger than 100% of the circle 75 % \leq 75 \% of the circle Exactly 100% of the circle

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2 solutions

Without the loss of generality, let the radius of the circle be 1. The two tangents on a circle are at an angle of 360/5=72. This is cyclic a kite, with Center of the circle, two points of tangency, and the meeting point of the two tangents meet., In this kite, the radii are at 180-72 =108. So the length of the tangent is Tan54. Resulting area of the kite is 2 * 0.5 * Tan54 * 1. But this includes the segment of the circle that makes an angle of 108 at the circle's center. So the net area of the pentastar = 5 { 2 0.5 T a n 54 1 π 108 360 } . S o t h e p e r c e n t a g e = { 5 ( T a n 54 1 π 108 360 ) . π } 100 = 69 % . 5* \{2*0.5* Tan54*1- \pi*\dfrac {108}{360} \}.\\ So~ the~ percentage =\left \{ \dfrac{5*(Tan54*1- \pi*\dfrac {108}{360}). }\pi \right \}*100=69\%.

Excellent and elegant solution!

W Rose - 5 years, 4 months ago
W Rose
Jan 14, 2016

If the area and perimeter are less than the circle's; much smaller.
If the area is less than the circle's and the perimeter is greater; almost the same.
If the area is greater than the circle's and the perimeter is less; almost the same.
If the area and the perimeter are equal; exactly the same.
If the area and perimeter are greater than the circle's; much larger.


Moderator note:

I do not understand what you're trying to express here. You seem to be defining the options, as opposed to presenting a solution to the problem.

Sorry to be rude, but this question does not make sense as there is nothing as ''almost'' or ''much'' in the language of mathematics. So try to put good questions in future which do not violate any form of mathematics .............

Parth Bhardwaj - 5 years, 5 months ago

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I agree. It is better to be explicit and explain what "almost the same size" means. When I worked on this problem, I chose "much less than", because I could put the convex star within the (concave) circle, and so it didn't seem to be almost the same size.

Calvin Lin Staff - 5 years, 5 months ago

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The size is area and perimeter. I use both features to make my choice of much smaller/larger or almost.

W Rose - 5 years, 5 months ago

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