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.
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This is a solution using the principles of trigonometry. Good solution. In my solution , I used only Pythagorean Theorem.
By pythagorean theorem,
A
E
=
4
2
−
2
2
=
1
6
−
4
=
1
2
Apply Pythagorean Theorem at right △ B D E ⟹ r 2 = 2 2 − x 2 = 4 − x 2
Apply Pythagorean Theorem at right △ E D A ⟹ r 2 = ( 1 2 ) 2 − ( 4 − x ) 2 = − 4 + 8 x − x 2
r 2 is equal to r 2 ⟹ 4 − x 2 = − 4 + 8 x − x 2 ⟹ 1 = x
Solving for r , we get ⟹ r 2 = 4 − 1 2 = 4 − 1 = 3 ⟹ r = 3 .
Hence, d = 2 r = 2 3 ≈ 3 . 4 6 4
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 ?
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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.
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Use SOH ⟹ s i n e = h y p o t e n u s e o p p o s i t e s i d e
s i n 6 0 = 2 r
r = 2 s i n 6 0
The diameter therefore is
d = 2 r = 2 ( 2 s i n 6 0 ) = 3 . 4 6 4