Math Problem Statement

Consider a square of side length 5. Place four equal circles in the corners of the square, each circle touching the two adjacent sides of the square. Then, add a fifth circle inside the square such that it touches all four corner circles but does not overlap with them. What is the area of the inner circle?

Solution

Let's break down the problem step by step.

1. Square and Circles Configuration

You are given a square with side length 55. Four equal circles are placed in the corners of the square, each touching two adjacent sides. Additionally, a fifth circle is placed inside the square, touching all four corner circles but not overlapping with them.

2. Radius of Corner Circles

Let rr be the radius of each of the four corner circles. Since each circle touches two adjacent sides of the square, the distance from the center of a corner circle to the corner of the square is equal to rr. Thus, the center of each corner circle is at a distance rr from both adjacent sides.

The diagonal distance between the centers of two corner circles along a side of the square is equal to 52r5 - 2r, because the total side length is 55, and each circle reduces this length by rr on either end.

3. Fifth Circle Configuration

Let RR be the radius of the inner circle. The inner circle touches all four corner circles. This means the distance between the center of the inner circle and the center of any corner circle is r+Rr + R.

4. Geometric Relationship

The diagonal distance between the centers of two corner circles that are along the diagonal of the square is equal to 522r25\sqrt{2} - 2r\sqrt{2}, which simplifies to:

Diagonal distance=522r\text{Diagonal distance} = 5\sqrt{2} - 2r

Now, the distance between the centers of two diagonally opposite corner circles is also equal to 2(r+R)2(r + R) because they are each separated by two radii of the circles.

Equating these two expressions gives:

2(r+R)=522r2(r + R) = 5\sqrt{2} - 2r

5. Solving for RR

Rearrange the equation to isolate RR:

2R=524r2R = 5\sqrt{2} - 4r

Now we need to find the value of rr. From the arrangement of the circles along the side of the square:

2r=52r2r = 5 - 2r

Thus, r=1r = 1.

Substitute r=1r = 1 into the equation for RR:

2R=5242R = 5\sqrt{2} - 4

R=5242R = \frac{5\sqrt{2} - 4}{2}

6. Area of the Inner Circle

The area of the inner circle is given by πR2\pi R^2. Substituting R=5242R = \frac{5\sqrt{2} - 4}{2}:

A=π(5242)2A = \pi \left( \frac{5\sqrt{2} - 4}{2} \right)^2

This simplifies to the exact area of the inner circle.

Would you like more detailed steps on how to simplify this expression, or any further clarifications?

Here are 5 related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. How would the arrangement change if the square had a different side length?
  2. What happens to the area of the inner circle if the radius of the corner circles increases?
  3. How could this configuration be extended to a cube with spherical objects?
  4. How does the geometry change if the circles are not touching the sides of the square?
  5. What would happen if a sixth circle is added inside the square, touching the inner circle?

Tip: In geometry problems involving circles inside polygons, symmetries often help simplify the relationships between different components.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Circles
Square Properties
Algebra

Formulas

Diagonal distance = 5√2 - 2r
Distance between centers: 2(r + R)
Area of a circle: A = πR^2

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem
Properties of Tangent Circles

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12