1, r2, r3, and r4 denote their curvatures (that is the reciprocals of their radii), then the following relation holds:

2(r12 + r22 + r32 + r42) = (r1 + r2 + r3 + r4)2
."
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MAA Writing Awards

On a Theorem in Geometry

by Daniel Pedoe (University of Minnesota)

Year of Award: 1968

Publication Information: The American Mathematical Monthly, vol. 74, 1967, pp. 627-640

Summary: The theorem under discussion is, "If four circles in a plane touch each other externally, and if r1, r2, r3, and r4 denote their curvatures (that is the reciprocals of their radii), then the following relation holds:

2(r12 + r22 + r32 + r42) = (r1 + r2 + r3 + r4)2."

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About the Author: (from The American Mathematical Monthly, vol. 74, (1967)) Daniel Pedoe was at the University of Minnesota at the time of publication.



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