Three circles C 1 , C 2 , C 3 of radii a , b , c , respectively, touch each other externally at three different points, as shown in the figure above.
If their points of contact are all 4 units away from the radical center O of the three circles, then evaluate a + b + c a b c .
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Great explanation. Thanks for the solution!
Also, I liked your diagram more than mine. Can I please know what software or online tool did you use for it?
How have you manipulated Heron's formula to show that the area of △ A B C = ( a + b + c ) a b c ?
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See updated solution.
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If you define s = a + b + c , don't all of your s terms in the area formula need to be 2 s , seeing as Heron's Formula states that s = 2 a + b + c ? I'm still unsure of how you got △ A B C = ( a + b + c ) a b c in one step from Heron's formula...
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@Dan Ley – In original Heron's formula, a , b , c are triangle sides, in our case they have a different meaning.
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@Maria Kozlowska – Of course, ahhh that's where I've been going wrong all of this time, thank you!
Very nice solution for a great question, well done. Also, I like the title of your question @Tapas Mazumdar , it sounds like the "Ancient Aliens" episode on significance of number 3! It gives a sense of mystery, don't take me otherwise for comparing it with a controversial show. :)
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Haha. Interesting to see that someone figured it out! ;)
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You mean you took the inspiration of the title from the show itself? :D
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Let A , B , C denote centers of circles C 1 , C 2 , C 3 respectively and D , E , F points of tangency. When we create triangle A B C , circle centered at O through points D , E , F is incircle of △ A B C with radius r = 4 . Applying formula for the triangle incircle and Heron's formula for triangle area with s denoting triangle's semi-perimeter, we get: s = ( ( a + b ) + ( a + c ) + ( b + c ) ) / 2 = a + b + c △ A B C = s ( s − ( a + b ) ) ( s − ( a + c ) ) ( s − ( b + c ) ) = ( a + b + c ) a b c r = s △ A B C = a + b + c ( a + b + c ) a b c = a + b + c a b c a + b + c a b c = r 2 = 1 6