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2 circles with centers A and B are touching externally.
A circle with center C touches both the circles externally.
Suppose AB=3cm, BC=3cm and AC=4cm.
Find the radii of the circles.
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When two circles touch externally, the distance between their center is the sum of their radii.
It gives you the system of three equations
a + b = 3, (1)
a + c = 4, (2)
b + c = 3. (3)
where a, b and c are the radii of the three circles with the centers A, B and C respectively.
To solve the system, first add all the three equations. You will get
2a + 2b + 2c = 3 + 4 + 3 = 10,
which implies
a + b + c = 5. (4)
Now extract equation (3) from equation (4) (both sides). You will get a = 5-3 = 2.
Extract equation (2) from equation (4) (both sides). You will get b = 5-4 = 1.
Finally, extract equation (1) from equation (4) (both sides). You will get a = 5-3 = 2.
Answer. The radii are: 2 cm for the circle with the center at A;
1 cm for the circle with the center at B;
2 cm for the circle with the center at C
SOLVED.