Problem Corner | Solution 282 | by Dave Lindell, LS

Problem No. 282 answer

The radius points of three circles must be at the midpoints of the sides of an
equilateral triangle, the side of which must be 2. Therefore the largest circle that can
be covered has a radius of secant 30 or 1.15+70.

The four circles must have their radius points at the midpoints of the side of a
square, the side of which must be 2 also. The largest circle that can be covered
therefore has a radius of 1.+1+21+ = 2 .

Five circles intersect symmetrically about the largest circle in a pentagon pattern.
The chord of any unit circle subtends an arc of 72, therefore chord EF is a chord
subtended by an angle of 1++ at G with a radius of 1 and is equal to 1.902113, making
radius QE or QF the radius subtending a chord of 1.902113 with a central angle of 72,
or 1.61803+.

Six circles are solved the same way as five with a starting chord of
2 sin f2 R =1.73205, where R=1 and =120. QH and QJ are then the radius of a
chord of 1.73205 subtended by an arc of 60, or 1.73205 which should be evident by
the symmetry of the drawing (QHJ is an equilateral triangle).

Seven circles also intersect the largest circle in a hexagonal pattern. LQN is also
an equilateral triangle with sides of 2, same as the radius of the largest circle.

Eight circles intersect the largest circle in a heptagonal pattern. The central
angle of each chord on the largest circle is 360f7 = 5125'+2.86" and the angle PQT
which equals angle QPT = 360f1+ = 25+2'51.+3". Angle PTS equals angle PST
which equals 180 - 360f7 = 5125'+3.86" so angle TPS = 180 - 2 360f7 =
7708'3+.29" and TS = 2 sin383+'17.15" = 1.2+698 which is r - 1, so r = 2.2+698
PROBLEM NO. 282 SOLUTION
1
.
0
0
0
3
0

1
.
1
5
4
7
0
0
.5
7
7
3
5
2
.
0
0
0
0
0
Q
A
B
Q
C
D
1
.
4
1
4
2
1
4
Q
R
=
1
R
=
1 144
1.902113
1
.
6
1
8
0
3
4
72
E F
G
R
=
1
.
0
0
0
0
R
=
1
.0
0
0
0
6
0

1
2
0

1
.
7
3
2
0
5
R
=
1
.
7
3
2
0
5
2
.
0
0
0
0
60
5125'42.857"
R
=
1
2
5

4
2
'5
1
.4
3
"
2
5

4
2
'5
1
.4
3
"
3834'17.14"
3
8

3
4
'1
7
.1
4
" r-1
Q
P
S
R=1
T
H
J
K
Q
Q
L
M
N