MHB IMO question’s solution: How can the answer be explained in a simple way?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Winson
  • Start date Start date
Winson
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Dear all,

How can the answer be explained in a simple way? Please give all detailed steps if possible, since my math ability is limited. Thank you for you help!

WinsonView attachment 7894

View attachment 7893
 

Attachments

  • C21FE1E9-AB59-4828-B3FE-B3BD746F0513.jpeg
    C21FE1E9-AB59-4828-B3FE-B3BD746F0513.jpeg
    46.6 KB · Views: 93
  • 6B66E748-D4BF-46EC-8B03-90300C3635DB.jpeg
    6B66E748-D4BF-46EC-8B03-90300C3635DB.jpeg
    25.7 KB · Views: 91
Last edited by a moderator:
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Are you sure the question and answer go together?
 
Seemingly by some mathematical coincidence, a hexagon of sides 2,2,7,7, 11, and 11 can be inscribed in a circle of radius 7. The other day I saw a math problem on line, which they said came from a Polish Olympiad, where you compute the length x of the 3rd side which is the same as the radius, so that the sides of length 2,x, and 11 are inscribed on the arc of a semi-circle. The law of cosines applied twice gives the answer for x of exactly 7, but the arithmetic is so complex that the...
Is it possible to arrange six pencils such that each one touches the other five? If so, how? This is an adaption of a Martin Gardner puzzle only I changed it from cigarettes to pencils and left out the clues because PF folks don’t need clues. From the book “My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles”. Dover, 1994.
Back
Top