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The diameter of the circles is 5cm, so the radius of the circles is 2.5cm.
Each centre is 2.5cm from the nearest side of the rectangle.
So the distance between them is (9 - (2 x 2.5))cm = 4cm
Central Distance
Age 11 to 14
ShortChallenge Level 
The diameter of the circles is 5cm, so the radius of the circles is 2.5cm.
Each centre is 2.5cm from the nearest side of the rectangle.
So the distance between them is (9 - (2 x 2.5))cm = 4cm
This problem is taken from the UKMT Mathematical Challenges.
You can find more short problems, arranged by curriculum topic, in our short problems collection.
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