1. concentric circle problem

I have no idea how to solve this. I love geometry, but I've found that I'm not very naturally good at it. please help!

The circles in the figure I have drawn out are concentric. The chord AB is tangent to the inner circle and has a length of 12 cm. What is the Area of of the non-shaded region? (A of big triangle - A of small triangle)

2. Re: concentric circle problem

Originally Posted by aaronrpoole
The circles in the figure I have drawn out are concentric. The chord AB is tangent to the inner circle and has a length of 12 cm. What is the Area of of the non-shaded region? (A of big triangle - A of small triangle)

As posed, I fear there is no unique answer to this question.
Look at this webpage.

I think that you need to know the radius of one of those two circles. Or some other term from that webpage.

3. Re: concentric circle problem

Hello, aaronrpoole!

This is a classic problem . . . with a surprising punchline.

The circles in the figure I have drawn are concentric.
The chord AB is tangent to the inner circle and has a length of 12 cm.
What is the area of of the non-shaded region? (Area of big circle - Area of small circle)
Code:
* * *
*           *
*       C   6   *
A *- - - - ♥ - - - -♥ B
*  |  *  o
*     *  r|  o* R   *
*     *   ♥   *     *
*     *   O   *     *
*     *
*        *        *
*               *
*           *
* * *

$O$ is the center of the circles.
$C$ is the midpoint of chord $AB\!:\;CB = 6$
Let $R = OB$, the radius of the large circle.
Let $r = OC$, the radius of the small circle.

From right triangle $BOC\!:\;r^2 + 6^2 \,=\,R^2 \quad\Rightarrow\quad R^2-r^2 \,=\,36$ .[1]

The area of the large circle is: $\pi R^2$
The area of the small circle is: $\pi r^2$

The area of the ring is: $A \:=\:\pi R^2 - \pi r^2 \:=\:\pi(R^2-r^2)$

Substitute [1]: . $A \:=\:\pi(36) \:=\:36\pi$

Surprise! .We didn't need to know the two radii.

The small circle could be a golfball or the Earth.
The area of the ring is constant!

4. Re: concentric circle problem

While this subject can be very touchy for most people, my opinion is that there has to be a middle or common ground that we all can find. I do appreciate that youve added relevant and intelligent commentary here though. Thank you!