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Degree Ceremony

Can you find the sum of the squared sine values?

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.

Ball Bearings

If a is the radius of the axle, b the radius of each ball-bearing, and c the radius of the hub, why does the number of ball bearings n determine the ratio c/a? Find a formula for c/a in terms of n.

Geometric Trig

Age 16 to 18 Short
Challenge Level

There are many ways to create the solution as it is something like a jigsaw. We used this method
 
1. Mark the right angles (use the fact the a radius and tangent at a point are at right angles)
2. Make all occurrences of the angle a
3. Mark the unit length
 
The diagram then becomes
 
 
To work out all of the areas we need to decide what unit of measurement the angle $a$ is in. Of course, we choose radians: there are $2\pi$ radians in a circle. We will also need to know the formula for the area of a circle and the area of a triangle. In this case, the areas are given as


The two largest areas are equal for around 0.40523 radians (23.2 degrees).