Some(?) of the Parts

A circle touches the lines OA, OB and AB where OA and OB are perpendicular. Show that the diameter of the circle is equal to the perimeter of the triangle

Baby Circle

A small circle fits between two touching circles so that all three circles touch each other and have a common tangent? What is the exact radius of the smallest circle?

Logosquares

Ten squares form regular rings either with adjacent or opposite vertices touching. Calculate the inner and outer radii of the rings that surround the squares.

Xtra

Age 14 to 18
Challenge Level

Why do this problem?

There are several different ways of solving this problem. It is a good example to bring home the point that, to be an expert problem solver, and to understand a piece of mathematics, it is not enough to find an answer. One should ask oneself "Have I used the best method?". This problem can be solved using trig formulae and the cosine rule but it can be solved more straightforwardly using only Pythagoras theorem.

Possible approach

Challenge the class to find different methods of solution.

Key question

How do we interpret the two solutions?

Is the diagram correct for both solutions?

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