MHB The smallest circle that two parts of a semi-circle can fit into?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TrevorE
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circle Fit parts
Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around finding the smallest circle that can contain two parts of a semi-circle after cutting. The poster describes a scenario involving a large circular tortilla, which leads to a contemplation of mathematical solutions for cutting the semi-circle. Three potential optimal solutions are proposed: one where the cut is a radius from the center to the edge, another allowing any cut through the semi-circle, and a third where the cut does not have to be straight. The conversation suggests a practical approach to avoid waste by cutting in a way that minimizes the leftover portion. Mathematical demonstrations or solutions to these cutting scenarios are requested.
TrevorE
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
So, true story:

I made a large circular tortilla.

Ate half of it. Then decided to put the rest into the fridge on a smaller plate.I raised the knife to cut the remaining semi-circle in two, and then went : "Hmmmmmmmm...".

Anyway, it's in the fridge now with an approximate solution, but I'm wondering if anyone knows the mathematical one?

I'm wondering if there are 3 different optimal solutions:

1) In which the straight-line cut necessarily is from the center of the original circle to the edge. I.e. a radius.
2) In which the straight-line cut may divide the semi-circle in any possible way.
3) In which the cut is not necessarily a straight line.

Thanks in advance if anyone can offer a demonstration.View attachment 9517
 

Attachments

  • Capture.JPG
    Capture.JPG
    33.8 KB · Views: 128
Last edited:
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Next time, don't cut it that way. Instead, draw a circle on your pizza with radius $\frac r {\sqrt 2}$ and eat the annulus for your first half. You will be left with the smallest possible plate size.
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 66 ·
3
Replies
66
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
15
Views
10K
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K