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Tough and Tricky questions: Geometry.




The figure above shows three tangent circles (they touch at exactly one point), each with their centers along the same horizontal axis. The biggest circle contains two smaller ones. Of the two smaller circles, the larger one has a radius of 6 inches and the smaller one has a radius of 3 inches. What is the radius of the largest circle (in inches)?

A. 3
B. 6
C. 9
D. 12
E. 18

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Attachment:
2015-01-06_1909.png

OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

(C) Tangent circles are circles that touch each other, but do not overlap, nor do they leave any gaps between them. If the larger circle has a radius of 6 and the small one a radius of 3, we can calculate the diameter of each as 12 and 6. The diameter of the largest circle, then, would be 18. To find the radius, divide the diameter by 2: 18 / 2 = 9.

The answer is (C).
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Bunuel

Tough and Tricky questions: Geometry.




The figure above shows three tangent circles (they touch at exactly one point), each with their centers along the same horizontal axis. The biggest circle contains two smaller ones. Of the two smaller circles, the larger one has a radius of 6 inches and the smaller one has a radius of 3 inches. What is the radius of the largest circle (in inches)?

A. 3
B. 6
C. 9
D. 12
E. 18

Kudos for a correct solution.

Attachment:
2015-01-06_1909.png

The diameter of the large circle is 12 and of the small circle is 6. Thus, the diameter of the largest circle is 18, so the radius is 9.

Answer: C
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