What is the radius of the circumcircle for cyclic pentagon $PQRST$?

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    2016
In summary, a circumcircle is a circle that passes through all the vertices of a polygon, such as a pentagon. The radius of the circumcircle for a cyclic pentagon is determined by the length of any of its sides and can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem. However, the radius can vary for different cyclic pentagons. The circumcircle is important in geometry as it helps to understand the relationship between the sides and angles of a polygon and can be used to find other important measurements.
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anemone
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Cyclic pentagon $PQRST$ has side lengths $PQ=QR=5,\,RS=ST=12$ and $PT=14$.

Determine the radius of its circumcircle.

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Congratulations to greg1313 for his correct solution, which you can find below::)

Let $r$ be the circumradius. Let $O$ be the centre of the circle. Let $PR$ = $a$.

By the law of cosines, $\angle{QOR}=\arccos\left(\dfrac{2r^2-25}{2r^2}\right)$ and $\angle{POR}$ is $2\arccos\left(\dfrac{2r^2-25}{2r^2}\right)$.

Construct a segment from $Q$ Through $O$ to meet the circle at $X$.

By the inscribed angle theorem, $\angle{PXR}=\arccos\left(\dfrac{2r^2-25}{2r^2}\right)$.

As $PQRX$ is cyclic, $\angle{PQR}=180^\circ-\arccos\left(\dfrac{2r^2-25}{2r^2}\right)$ and

$a^2=50+25\cdot\dfrac{2r^2-25}{r^2}$. Solving for $r^2$, we have $r^2=\dfrac{625}{100-a^2}$

From Wolfram Mathworld we have for a cyclic quadrilateral

$r=\dfrac14\sqrt{\dfrac{(ac+bd)(ad+bc)(ab+cd)}{(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)(s-d)}}\quad(1)$

where $s$ is the semiperimeter and $a,b,c,d$ are the sides of the quadrilateral.

Plugging in and simplifying we get

$625=\dfrac{144(14a+144)(10-a)}{38-a}\Rightarrow a=\dfrac{86}{9}$

Plugging this $a$ into $(1)$ we arrive at $r=\dfrac{225}{4\sqrt{44}}=\dfrac{225\sqrt{11}}{88}$.
 

FAQ: What is the radius of the circumcircle for cyclic pentagon $PQRST$?

What is a circumcircle?

A circumcircle is a circle that passes through all the vertices of a polygon, in this case, a pentagon.

How is the radius of the circumcircle determined for a cyclic pentagon?

The radius of the circumcircle for a cyclic pentagon is determined by the length of any of its sides.

Can the radius of the circumcircle be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem?

Yes, the radius of the circumcircle can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem by finding the length of the perpendicular bisector of any side of the pentagon.

Can the radius of the circumcircle be the same for all cyclic pentagons?

No, the radius of the circumcircle can vary for different cyclic pentagons depending on the length of their sides.

Why is the circumcircle important in geometry?

The circumcircle is important in geometry because it helps to understand the relationship between the sides and angles of a polygon and can be used to find other important measurements, such as the area and perimeter of the polygon.

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