Maths- pythagoras 2d with circles

Q.)3 identical circles inside of a rectangle. Each circle touches the other two circles and the sides of a rectangle. The radius of each is 28mm.what is the area of the rectangle (to 3 s.g.f)

PLEASE HELP!!!!
question from mathswatch "GCSE revision pythagoras 2d"

Reply 1

Kevin De Bruyne

Original post by drangonfruit

What does your diagram look like?

How will you be able to use Pythagoras?

Reply 2

Connor_H

If you provided a diagram, it would be easier for us to help out :smile:

Reply 3

purple.blue27

An equilateral triangle is made if you join the 3 circles' radius. Split the triangle in half to get 2 right-angled triangles and then use trig as you know that angles in an equilateral triangle are 60 degrees. That will give you the height between the circle. Add the 2 radii to the length you worked out to give you the height of the rectangle. And then just find the area