Math Problem Statement

A metalworker has two sheets of metal. The first sheet is in the shape of an equilateral parallelogram with two opposite angles of 60 degrees each. The second sheet is in the shape of a square. If the metalworker cuts out the largest possible circle from each sheet, then the areas of the two circles will be equal. What's the ratio of the area of the first sheet to the area of the second sheet?

Solution

The question in the image reads:


"A metalworker has two sheets of metal. The first sheet is in the shape of an equilateral parallelogram with two opposite angles of 60 degrees each. The second sheet is in the shape of a square. If the metalworker cuts out the largest possible circle from each sheet, then the areas of the two circles will be equal. What's the ratio of the area of the first sheet to the area of the second sheet?"


Solution:

  1. Largest Circle from the Parallelogram:

    • The first sheet is an equilateral parallelogram with two 60° angles.
    • An equilateral parallelogram with two 60° angles is essentially a rhombus with all sides equal and angles 60° and 120°.
    • The largest circle that can be cut from such a shape is its incircle, which is inscribed inside the rhombus.

    For a rhombus, the radius of the incircle r1r_1 is related to the area A1A_1 of the rhombus and the perimeter PP as: A1=r1×P2A_1 = r_1 \times \frac{P}{2} However, for simplicity, the side length and geometry of the rhombus will primarily control the size of this circle.

  2. Largest Circle from the Square:

    • The second sheet is a square. The largest circle that can be cut from the square is simply the inscribed circle of the square, with a radius that is half the side of the square.
  3. Given Condition:

    • The areas of the two circles cut from these sheets are equal.
  4. Finding the Ratio:

    • Let the side of the square be ss and the side of the rhombus (parallelogram) be aa.
    • The area of the largest circle from each shape is proportional to the side length of the sheet.
    • Using geometric properties, the ratio of the areas of the first sheet (rhombus) to the second sheet (square) turns out to be 2 to 3\sqrt{3}.

Thus, the ratio of the area of the first sheet to the area of the second sheet is 2 to 3\sqrt{3}.

Answer:

The correct option is: 2 to 3\boxed{2 \text{ to } \sqrt{3}}

Would you like further details or explanations on any step?


Here are 5 follow-up questions to expand your understanding:

  1. How is the incircle radius of a rhombus related to its side length and angles?
  2. Why is the inscribed circle the largest possible circle in both cases (parallelogram and square)?
  3. How does the geometry of the rhombus differ from that of the square in terms of circle cutting?
  4. What would happen to the area ratio if the parallelogram had different angles?
  5. How can this problem be generalized for other shapes like rectangles or trapezoids?

Tip: Always try to visualize the largest inscribable shape within a given geometry to simplify such problems!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Area Ratios
Circles in Polygons

Formulas

Area of a circle = πr²
Area of rhombus = side² sin(θ)
Inscribed circle in a polygon

Theorems

Circle area comparison
Geometry of rhombus and square

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12