Let $ABCDEF$ be an equiangular hexagon such that $AB=6, BC=8, CD=10$, and $DE=12$. Denote by $d$ the diameter of the largest circle that fits inside the hexagon. Find $d^2$.
Solution 1
First of all, draw a good diagram! This is always the key to solving any geometry problem. Once you draw it, realize that
. Why? Because since the hexagon is equiangular, we can put an equilateral triangle around it, with side length
. Then, if you drew it to scale, notice that the "widest" this circle can be according to
is
. And it will be obvious that the sides won't be inside the circle, so our answer is
.
Solution 2
the circle at
be H. Clearly, GH is the diameter of our circle, and is also perpendicular to
and
.
The equilateral triangle of side length
is similar to our large equilateral triangle of
. And the height of the former equilateral triangle is
. By our similarity condition, ![]()
Solving this equation gives
, and ![]()