Math Problem Statement

A circle is inscribed in an equilateral triangle ABC of side 12 cm find the radius of the inscribed circle and the area of the region of the triangle not included in the circle

Solution

To solve this problem, we calculate the radius of the inscribed circle and the area of the region of the triangle not included in the circle. Here’s the step-by-step solution:


1. Radius of the inscribed circle (inradius)

The formula for the inradius (rr) of an equilateral triangle is:
r=36ar = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{6} \cdot a
where aa is the side length of the triangle.

Given a=12cma = 12 \, \text{cm}:
r=3612=23cmr = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{6} \cdot 12 = 2\sqrt{3} \, \text{cm}

Thus, the radius of the inscribed circle is 23cm2\sqrt{3} \, \text{cm} (approximately 3.464cm3.464 \, \text{cm}).


2. Area of the equilateral triangle

The formula for the area (AA) of an equilateral triangle is:
A=34a2A = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \cdot a^2
Substitute a=12a = 12:
A=34122=34144=363cm2A = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \cdot 12^2 = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \cdot 144 = 36\sqrt{3} \, \text{cm}^2
So, the area of the triangle is 363cm236\sqrt{3} \, \text{cm}^2 (approximately 62.352cm262.352 \, \text{cm}^2).


3. Area of the inscribed circle

The formula for the area (AcircleA_{\text{circle}}) of a circle is:
Acircle=πr2A_{\text{circle}} = \pi r^2
Using r=23r = 2\sqrt{3}:
Acircle=π(23)2=π12=12πcm2A_{\text{circle}} = \pi (2\sqrt{3})^2 = \pi \cdot 12 = 12\pi \, \text{cm}^2
Approximately:
Acircle37.699cm2A_{\text{circle}} \approx 37.699 \, \text{cm}^2


4. Area of the region not included in the circle

The area of the region outside the circle but within the triangle is:
Aoutside=AtriangleAcircleA_{\text{outside}} = A_{\text{triangle}} - A_{\text{circle}}
Substitute the values:
Aoutside=36312πA_{\text{outside}} = 36\sqrt{3} - 12\pi
Approximating 31.732\sqrt{3} \approx 1.732 and π3.1416\pi \approx 3.1416:
Aoutside62.35237.699=24.653cm2A_{\text{outside}} \approx 62.352 - 37.699 = 24.653 \, \text{cm}^2


Final Results:

  1. Radius of the inscribed circle: 23cm2\sqrt{3} \, \text{cm} or approximately 3.464cm3.464 \, \text{cm}.
  2. Area of the region not included in the circle: 36312πcm236\sqrt{3} - 12\pi \, \text{cm}^2 or approximately 24.653cm224.653 \, \text{cm}^2.

Would you like further details or a breakdown of the formulas?

Related Questions:

  1. How does the inradius formula derive from geometry?
  2. What is the significance of the ratio between the triangle's area and the circle's area?
  3. How would this problem change for a triangle with different side lengths?
  4. What is the area of the circumcircle for this triangle?
  5. How does the concept of an incircle relate to real-world applications?

Tip:

Always visualize geometric problems with a diagram to better understand the relationships between the elements.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Equilateral Triangle
Inscribed Circle
Area Calculation

Formulas

Inradius of an equilateral triangle: r = (√3 / 6) * a
Area of an equilateral triangle: A = (√3 / 4) * a^2
Area of a circle: A = π * r^2
Area of the region not included in the circle: A_triangle - A_circle

Theorems

Properties of Equilateral Triangles
Circle Area Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12