Five circles are arranged in the following fashion ( Two rows of 3 circles in square arrangement with one end circle removed from the top row ). Circles are of same diameter and touching adjoining circles as per the diagram. Draw a line passing through A ( Centre of the first circle on the bottom row ) in such a way that it divides the five circles into two equal areas.

                           *                 *
                      *         *       *         *
                    *             *   *             *
                   *               * *               *
                  *                 *                 *
                   *               * *               *
                    *             *   *             *
                      *         *       *         *
         *                 *                 *
    *         *       *         *       *         *
  *             *   *             *   *             *
 *               * *               * *               *
*        A        *                 *                 *
 *               * *               * *               *
  *             *   *             *   *             *
    *         *       *         *       *         *
         *                 *                 *
       
      

(In reply to Equation spoiler by Larry)

Your equation looks to be correct if the circles have radius 1 (which was not in the given information). With circles of radius 1, e.g.'s point B is (3,1).

Added in edit:  As others have pointed out, it is not necessary for the circles to have radius 1. Larry's equation is be correct for any radius as long as A is at (0,0).

Edited on August 26, 2006, 5:36 pm

Posted by Richard on 2006-08-26 11:52:00