Outline Mathematics
Geometry
Two Touching Circles
Consider the following problem:
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Two circles with centers P and Q touch at point A. A line through A meets the first circle again at B and the second at C. Show that BP || CQ.
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Solution
Copyright © 1996-2010 Alexander Bogomolny
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Two circles with centers P and Q touch at point A. A line through A meets the first circle again at B and the second at C. Show that BP || CQ.
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(In the text below, some words are omitted. These have been underlined. Click just above the line. See what happens.)
Angles BAP and CAQ are
and hence equal. Triangles BAP and CAQ are
with equal base angles at A. The other pair of the
angles are also equal. I.e., ABP = ACQ. These two angles are internal to the lines BP and CQ and transversal BC. Since the internal angles are equal, the lines are parallel: PB || QC.
(The terms you met: Vertical angles, Alternate angles, Transversal, Isosceles triangle)
References
- V. V. Prasolov, Problems in Planimetry, v 1, Nauka, Moscow, 1986, in Russian
Copyright © 1996-2010 Alexander Bogomolny
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