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ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2009/ib/paper-1/2g/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2009 ib Paper 1 2G Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
An ideal hyperbolic triangle has its three vertices at infinity, with sides given by geodesics. In curvature its angles are zero and its area is , using the hyperbolic triangle area formula .
To calculate the area of a hyperbolic disc, use the Poincare disc model centered at the origin. Hyperbolic radial distance is , so its Euclidean radius is . The metric area density is , givingEvery hyperbolic triangle, including ones with ideal vertices, has area at most . But . A hyperbolic triangle is geodesically convex, so if it contains a complete hyperbolic circle, it also contains the enclosed hyperbolic disc, its geodesic convex hull. This would violate the area comparison. Therefore no hyperbolic triangle contains a complete circle of radius two.
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