What is the total area of the infinite number of inscribed squares?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the total area of an infinite series of squares inscribed within circles, starting from an initial circle of radius $R$. Participants explore the geometric progression of areas as new squares are inscribed in subsequent circles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the problem of calculating the total area of an infinite number of inscribed squares within a circle of radius $R$.
  • Illustrative diagrams are provided by participants to visualize the inscribed squares and circles, showing the geometric relationships.
  • Another participant acknowledges the contributions and expresses agreement with a previously stated result, although the specific solution is not detailed in the posts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not reach a consensus on the total area, as specific solutions are not fully articulated, and multiple contributions remain unverified.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of detailed mathematical steps or derivations leading to a solution, as well as the absence of explicit definitions for the areas being calculated.

lfdahl
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Given a circle (radius $R$) with an inscribed square. Now inscribe a new circle in the square and then again a new square in the new circle etc. What is the total area of the infinite number of inscribed squares?
 
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lfdahl said:
Given a circle (radius $R$) with an inscribed square. Now inscribe a new circle in the square and then again a new square in the new circle etc. What is the total area of the infinite number of inscribed squares?
my solution:
the area of the 1st square=$2R^2$
the area of the 2nd square=$R^2$
the area of the 3rd square=$\dfrac {R^2}{2}$
the area of the 4th square=$\dfrac {R^2}{4}$
so the total area =$2R^2+R^2+\dfrac {R^2}{2}+\dfrac {R^2}{4}+------=4R^2$
 
Just for illustration purposes. (Smile)
\begin{tikzpicture}[very thick]
\newcommand\Square[1]{+(-#1,-#1) rectangle +(#1,#1)}
\draw[green] foreach \r in {0,...,16} { circle ({5*2^(-\r/2)}) };
\draw[blue!50] foreach \r in {1,...,16} { \Square{{5*2^(-\r/2)}} };
\fill circle (0.08);
\end{tikzpicture}
 
I like Serena said:
Just for illustration purposes. (Smile)
\begin{tikzpicture}[very thick]
\newcommand\Square[1]{+(-#1,-#1) rectangle +(#1,#1)}
\draw[green] foreach \r in {0,...,16} { circle ({5*2^(-\r/2)}) };
\draw[blue!50] foreach \r in {1,...,16} { \Square{{5*2^(-\r/2)}} };
\fill circle (0.08);
\end{tikzpicture}

Great illustration! Thankyou for your contribution, I like Serena!

- - - Updated - - -

Albert said:
my solution:
the area of the 1st square=$2R^2$
the area of the 2nd square=$R^2$
the area of the 3rd square=$\dfrac {R^2}{2}$
the area of the 4th square=$\dfrac {R^2}{4}$
so the total area =$2R^2+R^2+\dfrac {R^2}{2}+\dfrac {R^2}{4}+------=4R^2$

Thanks, Albert! Your result is - of course - right.
 

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