Geometry

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Geometry

by talaangoshtari » Sat Sep 26, 2015 9:43 pm
A circle is inscribed in an equilateral triangle, such that the two figures touch at exactly 3 points, one on each side of the triangle. Which of the following is closest to the percent of the area of the triangle that lies within the circle?


(A) 50%
(B) 55%
(C) 60%
(D) 65%
(E) 70%

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by GMATGuruNY » Sun Sep 27, 2015 3:20 am
talaangoshtari wrote:A circle is inscribed in an equilateral triangle, such that the two figures touch at exactly 3 points, one on each side of the triangle. Which of the following is closest to the percent of the area of the triangle that lies within the circle?


(A) 50%
(B) 55%
(C) 60%
(D) 65%
(E) 70%
The equilateral triangle can be divided into six 30-60-90 triangles, as follows:
Image

Area of the circle = πr² = π(1²) ≈ 3.
Area of ∆ABC = (1/2)(AB)(BD) = (1/2)(2√3)(3) = 3√3 ≈ (3)(1.7) ≈ 5.
(circle)/(triangle) * 100 = (3/5)(100) = 60%.

The correct answer is C.

To see how the figure above can be derived, check my second post here:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/circle-withi ... 90186.html
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