Power of three!

Geometry Level 4

Three circles C 1 , C 2 , C 3 C_1, C_2, C_3 of radii a , b , c 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 O of the three circles, then evaluate a b c a + b + c . \dfrac{abc}{a+b+c}.


The answer is 16.

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1 solution

Maria Kozlowska
Jan 3, 2017

Let A , B , C A,B,C denote centers of circles C 1 , C 2 , C 3 C_1,C_2,C_3 respectively and D , E , F D,E,F points of tangency. When we create triangle A B C ABC , circle centered at O O through points D , E , F D,E,F is incircle of A B C \triangle ABC with radius r = 4 r=4 . Applying formula for the triangle incircle and Heron's formula for triangle area with s s denoting triangle's semi-perimeter, we get: s = ( ( a + b ) + ( a + c ) + ( b + c ) ) / 2 = a + b + c 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 \triangle ABC=\sqrt{s(s-(a+b))(s-(a+c))(s-(b+c))}=\sqrt{(a+b+c)abc} r = A B C s = ( a + b + c ) a b c a + b + c = a b c a + b + c r=\frac{\triangle ABC}{s}=\frac{\sqrt{(a+b+c)abc}}{a+b+c}=\sqrt{\frac{abc}{a+b+c}} a b c a + b + c = r 2 = 16 \frac{abc}{a+b+c}=r^2=\boxed{16}

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?

Tapas Mazumdar - 4 years, 5 months ago

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I use GeoGebra.

Maria Kozlowska - 4 years, 5 months ago

How have you manipulated Heron's formula to show that the area of A B C = ( a + b + c ) a b c \triangle ABC = \sqrt{(a+b+c)abc} ?

Dan Ley - 4 years, 5 months ago

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See updated solution.

Maria Kozlowska - 4 years, 5 months ago

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If you define s = a + b + c s=a+b+c , don't all of your s terms in the area formula need to be 2 s 2s , seeing as Heron's Formula states that s = a + b + c 2 s=\frac{a+b+c}{2} ? I'm still unsure of how you got A B C = ( a + b + c ) a b c \triangle ABC = \sqrt{(a+b+c)abc} in one step from Heron's formula...

Dan Ley - 4 years, 5 months ago

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@Dan Ley In original Heron's formula, a , b , c a,b,c are triangle sides, in our case they have a different meaning.

Maria Kozlowska - 4 years, 5 months ago

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@Maria Kozlowska Of course, ahhh that's where I've been going wrong all of this time, thank you!

Dan Ley - 4 years, 5 months ago

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. :)

Swagat Panda - 4 years, 5 months ago

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Haha. Interesting to see that someone figured it out! ;)

Tapas Mazumdar - 4 years, 5 months ago

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You mean you took the inspiration of the title from the show itself? :D

Swagat Panda - 4 years, 5 months ago

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