XAT 2012QA & DI Question 25

Basics of Mensuration/PrismEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the following question based on the information given below.

The following pie chart shows the percentage distribution of runs scored by a batsman in a test innings.

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Carpenter Rajesh has a circular piece of plywood of diameter 30 feet. He has cut out two disks of diameter 20 feet and 10 feet. What is the diameter of the largest disk that can be cut out from the remaining portion of the plywood piece?

Answer & solution

  • A

    >8.00 feet and ≤ 8.20 feet

  • B

    > 8.21 feet and ≤ 8.40 feet

  • > 8.41 feet and ≤ 8.60 feet

  • D

    > 8.61 feet and ≤ 8.80 feet

  • E

    > 8.81 feet and ≤ 9.00 feet

Solution

Consider the given diagram,

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Here, O is the center of the largest circle, A and B are the centers of the circle having radius 10 and 5 feet respectively.

Let C be the center of the largest circle that can be cut from the remaining portion.

The circles having radius 10 and 5 cm touch each other at point D.

Let radius of the largest circle that can be cut from the remaining portion be r.

Now, one can easily observe that AO = OD = BD = 5 cm.

Now, AC = 10 + r, and BC = 5 + r, and OC = 15 – r

Let DC = a.

Now, applying Apollonius in triangle ADC, we have,

(10 + r)2 + a2 = 2((15 – r)2 + 52)

i.e., a2 – r2 + 80r = 400 … (I)

Similarly, applying Apollonius theorem in triangle OCB, we get,

(15 – r)2 + (5 + r)2 = 2(a2 + 52)

i.e. 2a2 – 2r2 + 20r = 200 … (II)

By, 2 × (I) – (II), we get,

140r = 600

Hence, r = 30/7

Hence, diameter of the required circle = 60/7 ≈ 8.57

Hence, option 3.

XAT 2012 QA & DI Q25: Carpenter Rajesh has a circular piece of plywood of diameter 30 feet. He has cut out two disks of diameter 20 — Solution | TheCATExam