Properties and Solutions of Triangles
Incircle and Area
Grade 11
Question:
<p>A circle is inscribed in an equilateral triangle of side \(a\). The area of any square inscribed in this circle is</p>
<p>(a) \(a^2\)</p>
<p>(b) \(\frac{a^2}{4}\)</p>
<p>(c) \(\frac{a^2}{3}\)</p>
<p>(d) \(\frac{a^2}{6}\)</p>
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: Find the inradius of the equilateral triangle, then use the property that a square inscribed in a circle has its diagonal equal to the circle's diameter.
Step 1: Find the inradius of the equilateral triangle.
For an equilateral triangle with side $a$:
The area is given by $\text{Area} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}a^2$.
The semi-perimeter is $s = \frac{3a}{2}$.
The inradius $r$ is calculated using the formula $r = \frac{\text{Area}}{s}$:
$$r = \frac{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}a^2}{\frac{3a}{2}} = \frac{\sqrt{3}a^2}{4} \cdot \frac{2}{3a} = \frac{\sqrt{3}a}{6}$$
Step 2: Relate the inscribed square to the circle's diameter.
The circle has radius $r = \frac{\sqrt{3}a}{6}$.
The diameter of the circle is $d = 2r = 2 \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}a}{6} = \frac{\sqrt{3}a}{3}$.
For a square inscribed in a circle, the diagonal of the square is equal to the diameter of the circle.
If $x$ represents the side of the square, its diagonal is $x\sqrt{2}$.
Step 3: Calculate the side of the inscribed square.
Equating the diagonal of the square to the diameter of the circle:
$$x\sqrt{2} = \frac{\sqrt{3}a}{3}$$
Solving for $x$:
$$x = \frac{\sqrt{3}a}{3\sqrt{2}} = \frac{\sqrt{3}a}{3\sqrt{2}} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{\sqrt{6}a}{6}$$
Step 4: Find the area of the square.
The area of the square is $x^2$:
$$\text{Area} = x^2 = \left(\frac{\sqrt{6}a}{6}\right)^2 = \frac{6a^2}{36} = \frac{a^2}{6}$$
Correct Answer: C