Circle properties and circle theorems

  • Coins on a Plate
    problem

    Coins on a plate

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Points A, B and C are the centres of three circles, each one of which touches the other two. Prove that the perimeter of the triangle ABC is equal to the diameter of the largest circle.
  • Compare Areas
    problem

    Compare areas

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Which has the greatest area, a circle or a square, inscribed in an isosceles right angle triangle?
  • Escriptions
    problem

    Escriptions

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    For any right-angled triangle find the radii of the three escribed circles touching the sides of the triangle externally.
  • Strange Rectangle
    problem

    Strange rectangle

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    ABCD is a rectangle and P, Q, R and S are moveable points on the edges dividing the edges in certain ratios. Strangely PQRS is always a cyclic quadrilateral and you can find the angles.
  • Long Short
    problem

    Long short

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    What can you say about the lengths of the sides of a quadrilateral whose vertices are on a unit circle?
  • Circumspection
    problem

    Circumspection

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    M is any point on the line AB. Squares of side length AM and MB are constructed and their circumcircles intersect at P (and M). Prove that the lines AD and BE produced pass through P.
  • Medallions
    problem

    Medallions

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Three circular medallions fit in a rectangular box. Can you find the radius of the largest one?
  • Triangle Incircle Iteration
    problem

    Triangle incircle iteration

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Keep constructing triangles in the incircle of the previous triangle. What happens?
  • Incircles
    problem

    Incircles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    The incircles of 3, 4, 5 and of 5, 12, 13 right angled triangles have radii 1 and 2 units respectively. What about triangles with an inradius of 3, 4 or 5 or ...?
  • 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?