The figure shows two circles, centres \(O\) and \(C\), radii \(r_1\) and \(r_2\), which touch externally at \(P\). Given that \(A\hat{O}P=\dfrac{\pi}{4}\) radians, \(B\hat{C}P = \dfrac{\pi}{3}\) radians and \(AB\) is parallel to \(OPC\), show that \(\dfrac{r_1}{r_2} = \dfrac{\sqrt{6}}{2}\).
Dropping perpendiculars from \(A\) and \(B\) gives us the above diagram. Thus we have
\[ r_1 \sin \dfrac{\pi}{4} = AD= BE = r_2 \sin \frac{\pi}{3}. \]
And so we have \[\dfrac{r_1}{r_2} = \dfrac{\sin \dfrac{\pi}{3}}{\sin \dfrac{\pi}{4}} = \dfrac{\left(\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)}{\left(\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\right)} = \dfrac{\sqrt{6}}{2}.\]
Hence find the ratio of the areas of the sectors \(OAP\), \(CBP\).
Hence \[\frac{A_1}{A_2} = \dfrac{6}{8} \left( \dfrac{r_1}{r_2} \right)^2 = \dfrac{9}{8}.\]