Regular polygons and circles

  • Bicentric Quadrilaterals
    problem

    Bicentric Quadrilaterals

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3
    Investigate the properties of quadrilaterals which can be drawn with a circle just touching each side and another circle just touching each vertex.
  • Small pepper seedlings in turquoise pots.
    problem

    Circle Time

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Three circles of different radii each touch the other two. What can you deduce about the arc length between these points?

  • Pent
    problem

    Pent

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    The diagram shows a regular pentagon with sides of unit length. Find all the angles in the diagram. Prove that the quadrilateral shown in red is a rhombus.

  • 2D-3D
    problem

    2D-3D

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Two circles of equal size intersect and the centre of each circle is on the circumference of the other. What is the area of the intersection? Now imagine that the diagram represents two spheres of equal volume with the centre of each sphere on the surface of the other. What is the volume of intersection?

  • Sangaku
    problem

    Sangaku

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    The square ABCD is split into three triangles by the lines BP and CP. Find the radii of the three inscribed circles to these triangles as P moves on AD.

  • Circles in Circles
    problem

    Circles in Circles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    This pattern of six circles contains three unit circles. Work out the radii of the other three circles and the relationship between them.

  • Just touching
    problem

    Just Touching

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    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?

  • Ball bearings in a metal wheel.
    problem

    Ball Bearings

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    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.

  • The Dodecahedron
    problem

    The Dodecahedron

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    What are the shortest distances between the centres of opposite faces of a regular solid dodecahedron on the surface and through the middle of the dodecahedron?

  • Ford Circles
    problem

    Ford Circles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Can you find the link between these beautiful circle patterns and Farey Sequences?