Another maths question..to help an auld fella!

dodzy

Daughter asked me to assist and i'm buggered. Looking for inspiration from the clever folk here!

3 circles of equal size placed inside a triangle ( 1 circle above and 2 below, touching but not overlapping ( in a triangular layout )). Draw a triangle around these 3 circles forming a quadrilateral, touching the circle edges. Given the radius of 1 circle is 5cms, calculate the area of space outside the circles, but inside the triangle. Sooner I get this, the sooner I'm going for beer ! Thanks

MathsManiac

Some aspects of what you describe don't make sense.

Firstly, what relevance has the first triangle you referred to (the one that the triangles are placed inside, but which you haven't told us anything else about - its shape, its size, whether any of the circles touch its edges, etc.)?

Next, the second triangle you refer to, which is drawn outside the circles to touch them: there are infinitely many such triangles, and thus infinitely many possible areas.

Finally, it is completely unclear to me where the quadrilateral is supposed to come from.

To illustrate all of the above, attached is a picture drawing by following your instructions, but I'm none the wiser.

You'll need to either give us a picture, or be much more precise in describing the situation.

KK4SAM

This is a solution based on ten circles,I'm sure you can adapt it and get out before the toy show starts.:D
Where are ya drinking ya owe me one.:D


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dodzy

Appogies Maths Maniac. My explanation was sketchy at best. That said, thanks KK. That's it precisely, without the 2 lower rows of trees! CLONSILLA inn anytime you're passing

Cheers folks