A triangle has a 60¬¨‚àû angle, with adjacent sides measuring …

Mathematics Questions

A triangle has a 60¬∞ angle, with adjacent sides measuring 12 and 12‚ao3. What is the radius of a circle centered at the vertex of the triangle that divides it into two regions of equal area?

Short Answer

The process involves visualizing a triangle formed by the circle’s center and two arc intersection points, leading to a kite configuration. By applying the properties of a 30-60-90 triangle, the radius of the circle is calculated to be 6 times the square root of 3 units.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand the Triangle Configuration

Firstly, visualize the triangle formed by the center of the circle and the two points where the arc intersects the triangle’s sides. The triangle consists of vertices A, B, and C, with angle CAB measuring 60¬¨‚àû. There’s also a midpoint D on side AB and intersection points E and F on sides AC and BC, respectively. The shape formed by these points is a kite BCEF with BC serving as its axis of symmetry.

Step 2: Analyze the Kite and the Midpoint Line

Next, note that the line connecting the center of the circle to the midpoint D bisects the base AB, creating equal areas on both sides of the triangle. This line segment DE, which connects the center and D, also defines the radius of the circle. Given that angle CED is 30°, we can use properties of a 30-60-90 triangle to analyze the relationship between the radius and the lengths of the sides involved.

Step 3: Calculate the Radius of the Circle

To find the radius, we utilize the side ratios in a 30-60-90 triangle, where the lengths are in the ratio of 1:‚ao3:2. Since DE is opposite the 30¬∞ angle, we can express its length as half of BC. With BC given as (12 times sqrt{3}), we calculate DE as follows:

  • DE = ( frac{BC}{2} = frac{12 times sqrt{3}}{2} = 6 times sqrt{3} )

Thus, the radius of the circle is determined to be 6 times the square root of 3 units.

Related Concepts

Triangle Configuration

A geometric arrangement involving a triangle with specified vertices and angles, crucial for visualizing and solving geometric problems.

Kite

A quadrilateral with two distinct pairs of adjacent sides that are equal in length, important for understanding symmetrical properties in geometry.

30-60-90 Triangle

A special type of right triangle where the angles measure 30¬∞, 60¬∞, and 90¬∞, with side lengths in a fixed ratio of 1:‚ao3:2, essential for deriving relationships between lengths in trigonometry.

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