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# Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang

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Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang [#permalink]  24 Feb 2017, 02:34
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78% (00:57) correct 21% (00:52) wrong based on 183 sessions

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#GREpracticequestion Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ.jpg [ 12.07 KiB | Viewed 20133 times ]

Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tangent at points P, R, and Q, where point R lies on line segment PQ

 Quantity A Quantity B The circumference of the largest circle The sum of the circumferences of the two smaller circles

A) Quantity A is greater.
B) Quantity B is greater.
C) The two quantities are equal.
D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

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Re: Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang [#permalink]  28 Feb 2017, 16:40
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Explanation

We know that circumference of a circle = $$\pi \times d$$. Here D is diameter of circle.

One smaller circle has diameter PR and other is QR.

Diameter of the largest circle is PQ. Now PQR lie on the same line.

PR + QR = PQ

multiplying $$\pi$$ both side

$$\pi \times PR + \pi \times QR = \pi \times PQ$$.

Circumference of smaller circle with diameter PR + Circumference of smaller circle with diameter QR = Circumference of larger circle with diameter PQ.

Quantity B = Quantity A.

Hence C is correct option.
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Sandy
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Re: Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang [#permalink]  15 Jun 2018, 03:49
sandy wrote:
Explanation

We know that circumference of a circle = $$\pi \times d$$. Here D is diameter of circle.

One smaller circle has diameter PR and other is QR.

Diameter of the largest circle is PQ. Now PQR lie on the same line.

PR + QR = PQ

multiplying $$\pi$$ both side

$$\pi \times PR + \pi \times QR = \pi \times PQ$$.

Circumference of smaller circle with diameter PR + Circumference of smaller circle with diameter QR = Circumference of larger circle with diameter PQ.

Quantity B = Quantity A.

Hence C is correct option.

Even though your explanation is still not clear, I will trust your reasoning on this one. Anytime I see a similar question, even if it has 5 circles inside the major circle and they are tangent, I will assume the circumference is equal to that of the major circle.
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Re: Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang [#permalink]  29 Aug 2018, 02:38
sandy wrote:
Explanation

We know that circumference of a circle = $$\pi \times d$$. Here D is diameter of circle.

One smaller circle has diameter PR and other is QR.

Diameter of the largest circle is PQ. Now PQR lie on the same line.

PR + QR = PQ

multiplying $$\pi$$ both side

$$\pi \times PR + \pi \times QR = \pi \times PQ$$.

Circumference of smaller circle with diameter PR + Circumference of smaller circle with diameter QR = Circumference of larger circle with diameter PQ.

"it is said in the question that R lies on a segment", I dont think it is safe to assume that the line segment shown and described in the circle is a diameter. in which case answer should be D...Please correct me if I am wrong.

Quantity B = Quantity A.

Hence C is correct option.
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Re: Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang [#permalink]  18 Jan 2019, 19:13
They are equal as two smaller diameters are equal to large
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Re: Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang [#permalink]  18 Jan 2019, 19:21
Emike56 wrote:
sandy wrote:

Hence C is correct option.

Even though your explanation is still not clear, I will trust your reasoning on this one. Anytime I see a similar question, even if it has 5 circles inside the major circle and they are tangent, I will assume the circumference is equal to that of the major circle.

Even in this case also ha ha ha

Attachment:

Circle.jpg [ 29.88 KiB | Viewed 19761 times ]
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Re: Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang [#permalink]  15 Sep 2019, 06:51
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I might not have done this efficiently but I tried plugging in numbers

For example the total distance is 8 and the 2 circles are equal

Big circle Circumference = 2pi*4=8pi
Small Circles Circumference = 2pi(2) +2pi(2) = 8pi

Not Equal - one has a diameter of 6 and the other 2
Big Circle = 2pi*4 = 8pi
Small Circles = 2pi(3) + 2pi(1) = 8pi

C
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Re: Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang [#permalink]  29 Jun 2020, 23:33
It is more clear now.
Since the two small circles share the diameter with the big one, they have equal circumference.

Thanks
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Re: Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang [#permalink]  23 Jul 2020, 05:01
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Emike56 wrote:
sandy wrote:
Explanation

We know that circumference of a circle = $$\pi \times d$$. Here D is diameter of circle.

One smaller circle has diameter PR and other is QR.

Diameter of the largest circle is PQ. Now PQR lie on the same line.

PR + QR = PQ

multiplying $$\pi$$ both side

$$\pi \times PR + \pi \times QR = \pi \times PQ$$.

Circumference of smaller circle with diameter PR + Circumference of smaller circle with diameter QR = Circumference of larger circle with diameter PQ.

Quantity B = Quantity A.

Hence C is correct option.

Even though your explanation is still not clear, I will trust your reasoning on this one. Anytime I see a similar question, even if it has 5 circles inside the major circle and they are tangent, I will assume the circumference is equal to that of the major circle.

Fair bit of advice. Never assume anything unless it's given. I learned that the hard way.

Moreover, it's stated here that 'three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tangent at points P, R, and Q where point R lies on segment PQ.' If centers are lying on PQ then we can say PQ is diameter of the biggest circle and thus solve as given.
Re: Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang   [#permalink] 23 Jul 2020, 05:01
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# Three circles with their centers on line segment PQ are tang

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