Question 54

Three circles of equal radii touch (but not cross) each other externally. Two other circles, X and Y, are drawn such that both touch (but not cross) each of the three previous circles. If the radius of X is more than that of Y, the ratio of the radii of X and Y is

Solution

Let's take the radius of the original circles to be R and that of the circle in between the three circles to be r. 

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Joining the centres of the three circles, we will get an equilateral triangle or length 2R. 
The distance between the circle's centre and the original circle's centre would be R+r.

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Using this right angle triangle, we can get the relation: $$\frac{R}{R+r}=\frac{\sqrt{\ 3}}{2}$$
We can take $$R=\sqrt{\ 3}a$$ and R+r as 2a, this would give us r as $$R=\left(2-\sqrt{\ 3}\right)a$$

The outer circle will have a radius of 2R+r
We need to find the ratio of $$\frac{2R+r}{r}$$

This will be equal to $$\frac{\left(2\sqrt{\ 3}+2-\sqrt{\ 3}\right)a}{\left(2-\sqrt{\ 3}\right)a}=\frac{2+\sqrt{\ 3}}{2-\sqrt{\ 3}}=4+3+4\sqrt{\ 3}=7+4\sqrt{\ 3}:1$$

Therefore, Option A is the correct answer. 


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