Problem

A square of side a is partitioned into four congruent right

triangles and a small square, all with equal radii r.
Calculate r.

Solution
Let P be the perimeter of the right triangles.
Let b and c be the legs of the right triangles.
A Small ⊡+ 4 ( A ¿∆ ) = A Big⊡
A Small ⊡+ 4 ( A ¿∆ ) =a 2
The diameter of the circle is just the sides of the Small Square. Therefore, A Small ⊡=4 r 2
rP
The radius of the circle is also the apothem of the Right Triangles. Therefore, A¿ ∆=
2
rp
4 r 2 +4( )
2
=a2

4 r 2 +2rP=a2
Find the value of P in terms ofr and a .
P=a+b+ c
P−a=b +c
P2−2 aP+ a2=b 2+2 bc +c 2
By PT, a 2=b2 +c 2, hence:
P2−2 aP=2 bc
rP bc
But A¿ ∆= = , thus bc=rP
2 2
2
P −2 aP=2 rP
P−2 a=2 r
P=2 a+ 2r
Substitute the value of P to 4 r 2 +2rP=a2then solve for r.
4 r 2 +2r (2 a+2 r)=a2
4 r 2 +4 ar+ 4 r 2=a2
4 r 2 +4 ar+ 4 r 2=a2
8 r 2 +4 ar=a2
2 1 a2
r + ar =
2 8
Using completing the square, solve for r.
2 ar a2 a 2 a2
r + + = +
2 16 8 16
a 2 3 a2
( )
r+ =
4 16
a ±a 3
r+ = √
4 4
± a 3−a
r= √
4
A segment cannot be negative, therefore:
 a √3−a a ( √ 3−1 )
r= ∨
4 4
Problem
In the figure, show that r b =2r a.

Solution
AC ∙ BC R2
A ∆ ABC = =
2 2

By PT, AB=R √ 2, therefor:

P=R+ R + R √2=2 R+ R √ 2
rb P
A ∆ ABC =
2
2
R r b ( 2 R+ R √ 2 )
=
2 2
R=r b (2+ √ 2)

Draw CDE such that D is the intersection of ABand the two circles and E is the intersection of
the small circle and ^AB.
AC=EC =BC=R
EC=ED+ DC
AB R √ 2
But ED=2 r a and DC is the median of ¿ ∆ ABC. Thus DC= =
2 2
R 2
R=2r a+ √
2
2 R=4 r a + R √ 2
4 ra
R=
2−√ 2
Substitute R=r b (2+ √ 2) to R
4 ra
r b ( 2+ √ 2 )=
2− √2
r b ( 2+ √ 2 ) ( 2−√ 2 )=4 r a
2 r b=4 r a
r b =2r a