Or search by topic
Herbert of Sha Tin College, Hong Kong submitted the only correct solution to date which is given below. Can anyone give an alternative solution?
$\alpha = \sin^{-1}(R - r)/(R + r)$
$L_1 = R(\pi + 2\alpha)$
$L_4 = r(\pi - 2\alpha)$
$L_2 = L_3 = x$
$x^2 = (R + r)^2 - (R - r)^2$
$x^2 = 4Rr$
$x = 2\sqrt{Rr}$
$L_2 + L_3 = 4\sqrt{Rr}$
|
A circular plate rolls inside a rectangular tray making five circuits and rotating about its centre seven times. Find the dimensions of the tray.
By inscribing a circle in a square and then a square in a circle find an approximation to pi. By using a hexagon, can you improve on the approximation?
Imagine a rectangular tray lying flat on a table. Suppose that a plate lies on the tray and rolls around, in contact with the sides as it rolls. What can we say about the motion?