Thread: [SOLVED] circle problem

there are three consecutice circles (A B C), each with radii 3in.
its hard to picture it but theres a circle in the middle with the other two circles touching at exactly the middle of the center circle...there is a trapeziod formed with points where 1. circle A intersects circle B at the top 2. circle B intersects circle C at the top (that formes a horizontal line)
the base of the trapezoid is the diameter of circle B... the two lines are connected by two diagonal lines to form a trapezoid...what is the perimeter of the trapezoid

Originally Posted by ayobamiajayi

there are three consecutice circles (A B C), each with radii 3in.
its hard to picture it but theres a circle in the middle with the other two circles touching at exactly the middle of the center circle...there is a trapeziod formed with points where 1. circle A intersects circle B at the top 2. circle B intersects circle C at the top (that formes a horizontal line)
the base of the trapezoid is the diameter of circle B... the two lines are connected by two diagonal lines to form a trapezoid...what is the perimeter of the trapezoid

Is this the setup you are describing?

YES!

Hello, ayobamiajayi!

Thanks to masters' diagram, we see that the trapezoid
. . is comprised of three equilateral triangles.

thank u

Draw chords from center of circle B to the intersections of circles B and A, and also to circles B and C. These lengths are also radii of circle B, thus 3 inches. This makes an equilateral triangle at the top which includes the other base of the trapezoid. That base must be 3 inches.

Therefore the perimeter of the trapezoid is 15 inches.