Circle properties and circle theorems

  • Not so little x
    problem

    Not so little x

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Two circles are enclosed by a rectangle 12 units by x units. The distance between the centres of the two circles is x/3 units. How big is x?
  • ArRh!
    problem

    ArRh!

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    Triangle ABC is equilateral. D, the midpoint of BC, is the centre of the semi-circle whose radius is R which touches AB and AC, as well as a smaller circle with radius r which also touches AB and AC. What is the value of r/R?

  • Circles in Circles
    problem

    Circles in circles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    This pattern of six circles contains three unit circles. Work out the radii of the other three circles and the relationship between them.
  • Some(?) of the Parts
    problem

    Some(?) of the parts

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    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
  • Kissing
    problem

    Kissing

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Two perpendicular lines are tangential to two identical circles that touch. What is the largest circle that can be placed in between the two lines and the two circles and how would you construct it?
  • Just touching
    problem

    Just touching

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Three semi-circles have a common diameter, each touches the other two and two lie inside the biggest one. What is the radius of the circle that touches all three semi-circles?
  • Three four five
    problem

    Three four five

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Two semi-circles (each of radius 1/2) touch each other, and a semi-circle of radius 1 touches both of them. Find the radius of the circle which touches all three semi-circles.
  • Tricircle
    problem

    Tricircle

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    The centre of the larger circle is at the midpoint of one side of an equilateral triangle and the circle touches the other two sides of the triangle. A smaller circle touches the larger circle and two sides of the triangle. If the small circle has radius 1 unit find the radius of the larger circle.
  • Lunar Angles
    problem

    Lunar angles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    What is the sum of the angles of a triangle whose sides are circular arcs on a flat surface? What if the triangle is on the surface of a sphere?
  • Circle Box
    problem

    Circle box

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    It is obvious that we can fit four circles of diameter 1 unit in a square of side 2 without overlapping. What is the smallest square into which we can fit 3 circles of diameter 1 unit?