Geometry: Triangle with a Circumscribed and Inscribed Circle

In summary: Let S = point where radius 3 intersects with side atherefore as a result of that theoremR = 3 + aS = 3 + bSubstituting this into the Pythagorean theorem(R + S)^2 + 16^2 = (a + b)^2R^2 + S^2 + 2RS + 256 = a^2 + b^2 + 2ab(3 + a)^2 + (3 + b)^2 + 2(3 + a)(3 + b) + 256 = a^2 + b^2 + 2abeqn 2substituting eqn 1 into
  • #1
Mathmaniac123
1
0

Homework Statement



What is the area of a right triangle whose inscribed circle has radius 3 and whose circumscribed circle has a radius 8?

Homework Equations



The diameter must be the hypotenuse of the circle


The Attempt at a Solution



The answer is 57, but I do not know the steps to achieve it.

I tried making the triangle a 45° 45° 90°, but the area comes out to be 64.(since the incircle has a radius of 3, the triangle would not work)

I tried a 30° 60° 90° triangle, but the area comes out to be 55. The answer is closer, so that means the the angles are a little bit closer together.

Since the answer is 57, the base x height would be 114. The closest factors would be 6x19, but 19 is larger than the hypotenuse, which makes me think that either the answer is wrong, or the b, and/or h are decimals or fractions.

Good Luck
 
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  • #2
You can approach it by algebra or geometry.
For a geometrical approach, notice that joining the incentre to each vertex and dropping perpendiculars from the incentre to each side cuts the triangle into 6 right angled triangles. Each of these has one side length r, the radius of the incircle. So they can be rearranged in pairs to form rectangles width r. What do the other sides of these rectangles add up to?
 
  • #3
haruspex said:
You can approach it by algebra or geometry.
For a geometrical approach, notice that joining the incentre to each vertex and dropping perpendiculars from the incentre to each side cuts the triangle into 6 right angled triangles. Each of these has one side length r, the radius of the incircle. So they can be rearranged in pairs to form rectangles width r. What do the other sides of these rectangles add up to?
incrisbed+radius+and+circumscribed+radius+of+a+right+triangle.jpg
may i take the OP's place?
im not sure about this problem and I am just referring to the image found on google image
[tex][/tex]

1. it seems that one side of the triangle is the diameter of the circumscribing center so AC = 8*2 = 16
let
[tex]L_{B}[/tex] = Length of the center of the inscribed circle to the vertex B, or the incenter

2. the bottom left portion of the image seems to form a square with sides 3
so
[tex]{L_{B}}^{2}=3^{2}+3^{2}[/tex]
[tex]L_{B}=4.243[/tex]

3. the inscribing circle radius to side c seems to be aligned with [tex]L_{B}[/tex] which makes it 3 + 4.243 = 7.243

4. Now i get to find side b with angle cBC equal to 45 degrees
[tex]\cos{45}=\frac{7.243}{b}[/tex]
[tex]b=10.243[/tex]

5. Angle BCA is 45 degrees then we can find area
[tex]A_{triangle}=\frac{1}{2}cb\sin{\theta}=\frac{1}{2}(18)(10.243)\sin{45}=65.186 \mbox{ square units}[/tex]

The Answer is not 57 as stated in op though, so my approach is wrong
 
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  • #4
Equilibrium said:
2. the bottom left portion of the image seems to form a square with sides 3
I think you mean bottom right, but it isn't true even then. It only looks like that because of the way you've drawn it.
 
  • #5
haruspex said:
I think you mean bottom right, but it isn't true even then. It only looks like that because of the way you've drawn it.

The "bottom right figure" formed by the two radii, and the portions of the legs of the triangle that intersect each other and the radii, do indeed form a square of 9 square unit area .

Thus [itex]\ \displaystyle L_B=3\sqrt{2}\ .\ [/itex] (But you really don't need to know LB.)
 
  • #6
SammyS said:
The "bottom right figure" formed by the two radii, and the portions of the legs of the triangle that intersect each other and the radii, do indeed form a square of 9 square unit area .
You're right, sorry.
 
  • #7
I already know how

first form three triangles with altitude three

total area = 1/2 (ab) = 1/2(3)(a) + 1/2(3)(b) + 1/2(3)(16) eqn 1

this will simplify to
[tex]\frac{ab}{a+b+16}=3[/tex]

Then using this circle theorem
"If two segments from the same exterior point
are tangent to a circle, then the segments are
congruent."

Let R = point where radius 3 intersects
 
Last edited by a moderator:

1. What is a circumscribed circle in geometry?

A circumscribed circle is a circle that passes through all the vertices of a given triangle. It is also known as a circumcircle.

2. What is an inscribed circle in geometry?

An inscribed circle is a circle that is tangent to all three sides of a given triangle. It is also known as an incircle.

3. How is the radius of a circumscribed circle calculated?

The radius of a circumscribed circle can be calculated using the formula R = abc/4A, where R is the radius, a, b, and c are the lengths of the sides of the triangle, and A is the area of the triangle.

4. How is the radius of an inscribed circle calculated?

The radius of an inscribed circle can be calculated using the formula r = A/s, where r is the radius, A is the area of the triangle, and s is the semi-perimeter (half of the perimeter) of the triangle.

5. What is the relationship between the radius of a circumscribed circle and an inscribed circle?

The radius of a circumscribed circle is always greater than the radius of an inscribed circle. In fact, the radius of the inscribed circle is equal to half of the radius of the circumscribed circle.

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