Geometry Problem 1578: Find the Area of a Bicentric Quadrilateral with Perpendicular Extensions of Opposite Sides! A High School and College Challenge

Determine the area of a bicentric quadrilateral where two opposite sides measure 25 units and 4 units, respectively, and the other two extended sides intersect perpendicularly.

Diagram 1578 of a bicentric quadrilateral with perpendicular opposite side extensions for area calculation
Circles converge tight,
Opposite lines stretch and meet—
Area waits, still.
 

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Hints, Key Definitions and Descriptions

Hints, Key Term Description
Bicentric Quadrilateral A quadrilateral that has both an inscribed circle and a circumscribed circle. Such a quadrilateral is both cyclic and tangential.
Inscribed Circle A circle that touches all four sides of a quadrilateral from the inside. In a bicentric quadrilateral, this circle is perfectly tangent to each side.
Circumscribed Circle A circle that passes through all four vertices of a quadrilateral. For a quadrilateral to be bicentric, it must also have an inscribed circle.
Cyclic Quadrilateral A quadrilateral with all its vertices lying on a single circumscribed circle. Opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral sum to 180 degrees.
Tangential Quadrilateral A quadrilateral that has an inscribed circle touching all four sides. In a bicentric quadrilateral, the sum of the lengths of opposite sides is equal.
Extended Sides When the sides of a quadrilateral are prolonged beyond their endpoints. In this problem, two opposite sides are extended until they intersect perpendicularly.
Intersect Perpendicularly The condition where two lines or sides meet at a 90 degrees angle. In this problem, the extended sides of the quadrilateral meet perpendicularly.
Area of Tangential Quadrilateral The area of a tangential quadrilateral can be calculated by multiplying the inradius (the radius of the inscribed circle) by the semiperimeter (half the sum of all side lengths) of the quadrilateral.

Flyer of problem 1578 using iPad Apps

Flyer of Geometry Problem 1578 involving Bicentric quadrilateral ABCD and area using iPad Apps, Tutor