A Tricky Semicircle

Geometry Level 2

A semi-circle is inscribed within an equilateral triangle such that the diameter of the semi-circle is centered on one side of the triangle and the arc is tangent to the other two sides.

If each side of the triangle is of length 4 cm, then what is the diameter of the semi-circle (in cm)?

Give your answer to 3 decimal places.


The answer is 3.464.

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3 solutions

Use SOH \text{SOH} \implies s i n e = o p p o s i t e s i d e h y p o t e n u s e sine=\dfrac{opposite~side}{hypotenuse}

s i n 60 = r 2 sin~60=\dfrac{r}{2}

r = 2 s i n 60 r=2~sin~60

The diameter therefore is

d = 2 r = 2 ( 2 s i n 60 ) = 3.464 d=2r=2(2~sin~60) = 3.464

This is a solution using the principles of trigonometry. Good solution. In my solution , I used only Pythagorean Theorem.

A Former Brilliant Member - 4 years, 1 month ago

By pythagorean theorem, A E = 4 2 2 2 = 16 4 = 12 AE=\sqrt{4^2-2^2}=\sqrt{16-4}=\sqrt{12}

Apply Pythagorean Theorem at right B D E \triangle BDE \implies r 2 = 2 2 x 2 = 4 x 2 r^2=2^2-x^2=4-x^2

Apply Pythagorean Theorem at right E D A \triangle EDA \implies r 2 = ( 12 ) 2 ( 4 x ) 2 = 4 + 8 x x 2 r^2=(\sqrt{12})^2-(4-x)^2=-4+8x-x^2

r 2 r^2 is equal to r 2 r^2 \implies 4 x 2 = 4 + 8 x x 2 4-x^2=-4+8x-x^2 \implies 1 = x 1=x

Solving for r r , we get \implies r 2 = 4 1 2 = 4 1 = 3 r^2=4-1^2=4-1=3 \implies r = 3 r=\sqrt{3} .

Hence, d = 2 r = 2 3 3.464 d=2r=2\sqrt{3}\approx3.464

J Chaturvedi
Mar 1, 2016

Let r be radius of circle and h the height of triangle. The vertical line would cut the triangle in two equal half triangles with sides 4,2 and h. The area of half triangle with base 2 is 2h/2=h and with base 4 and height r is 4r/2=2r. Therefore, 2r=h. Using Pythagoras theorem, h^2+2^2=4^2, implies h=2√3.Hence, 2r=h=2√3.

how does 2r =h , i dint get it ?

Syed Hissaan - 4 years, 7 months ago

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It helps to visualize a third triangle with one side tangent to the top of the circle, and the opposite vertex in the center of the bottom edge of the large triangle.

Geoff Pilling - 4 years, 4 months ago

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