Problem

Source: Taiwan 1st TST, 1st independent study, question 1

Tags: geometry, trigonometry, ratio, geometric sequence, geometry proposed



Consider a circle $O_1$ with radius $R$ and a point $A$ outside the circle. It is known that $\angle BAC=60^\circ$, where $AB$ and $AC$ are tangent to $O_1$. We construct infinitely many circles $O_i$ $(i=1,2,\dots\>)$ such that for $i>1$, $O_i$ is tangent to $O_{i-1}$ and $O_{i+1}$, that they share the same tangent lines $AB$ and $AC$ with respect to $A$, and that none of the $O_i$ are larger than $O_1$. Find the total area of these circles. I know this problem was easy, but it still appeared in the TST, and so I posted it. It was kind of a disappointment for me.