The circumradius of an equilateral triangle is 8 cm. The inradius of the triangle
Aptitude
Area
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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A3.25 cm
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B4 cm
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C3.5 cm
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D4.25 cm
Answer
Correct Answer: 4 cm
Explanation
### Concept & Inradius and Circumradius of Equilateral Triangle
For an equilateral triangle, the centroid, circumcenter, and incenter all coincide at the same point. This center divides the median in the ratio $2 : 1$. The larger segment (vertex to center) is the circumradius $R$, and the smaller segment (center to side) is the inradius $r$.
$$ R = 2r $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* Given: Circumradius $R = 8$ cm.
* We know the relationship between circumradius and inradius in an equilateral triangle is $R = 2r$.
* Substituting the given value: $8 = 2r$.
* Solving for $r$: $r = \frac{8}{2} = 4$ cm.
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
This is a direct property question. Memorize the ratio $R : r = 2 : 1$ for equilateral triangles. If $R$ is 8, $r$ is instantly half of that, which is 4. No side length calculations are needed.
### Common Pitfall
A common mistake is attempting to calculate the side of the triangle first using $R = \frac{a}{\sqrt{3}}$ and then plugging it into $r = \frac{a}{2\sqrt{3}}$. While mathematically sound, it is a massive waste of time in a competitive exam.
### Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is **4 cm**.