Let the circumference of the circle be x. Then the perimeter
of the triangle is (5-x).Â
The diameter of the circle is x/Ï€, and its radius is x/(2Ï€). Thus, its area
is:Â
Ac = Ï€(x/2Ï€)² = x²/(4Ï€)Â
One side of the triangle is (5-x)/3. Its height is √3/2 times as side. Thus,
its area is:Â
At = (1/2)(5 - x)(√3/2)(7 - x)/3Â
At = (√3/12)(25- 10x + x²)Â
Now, to minimize total area, take the derivative and set to 0:Â
A = Ac + AtÂ
A' = x/(2Ï€) + (√3/12)(2x - 10)Â
A' = x/(2Ï€) + x√3/6 - 5√3/6Â
0 = x(√3/6 + 1/(2Ï€)) - 5√3/6Â
x = (5√3/6) / (√3/6 + 1/(2Ï€))Â
x ≈ 5.16
That makes the length of the triangle piece 5-x = 2.84Â
To maximize area, it must be at one of the endpoints, x=0 or x=5.
x=0: A = (1/2)(5)(√3/2)(5)/3 ≈ 3.61
x=5: A = 5²/(4π) ≈ 1.99