Question

If XY=18, YZ=14, and XZ=20, find the radius of each circle.

Answer 1

Let`s assume that points M, N and P are the touching points of those 3 circles:Then:Y M + M Z = 14,Z N + N X = 20X P + P Y = 18And also: M Z = ZN, Y M = P Y and N X = X P.Now we have a system of 3 equations ( Y M, M Z and X P  are the radii of each circle ):Y M + M Z = 14M Z + X P = 20X P + Y M = 18 Y M - M Z = - 14+X P  + Y M = 18 X P - M Z  = 4Y M - M Z = - 14+M Z + X P = 20 X P - Y M = 6  /* ( - 1 )X P  - M Z = 4 X P + Y M = - 6  X P - M Z = 4    Y M - M Z = - 2           Y M + M Z = 14            2 Y M = 12  =>  Y M = 6M Z - 6 = 2  =>   M Z = 8X P + 6 = 18 
 X P = 12
Radii of the circles are: 12, 8 and 6.