->  DW> "Three circles are drawn on a flat surface. Each circle
encloses an 
->  DW> area of 20 cm^2. They overlap so that the total area that is enclosed 
->  DW> by one or more circles is 36 cm^2. The area that is enclosed by all 
->  DW> three circles is 3 cm^2. What is the total area that is enclosed by 
->  DW> exactly two circles?" 
  
-> The question is; "What is the total area that is enclosed by exactly two 
-> circles?" 
 
-> Each circle 'encloses' 20cm^2, so the exact 'enclosed' area of two circles 
-> is 40cm^2 - keywords are, 'exactly two circles' 
 
-> One has to wonder if the answer would include the overlap of any two 
-> circles, as the question seems to be evasive. 
 
-> Let us know what the teacher says the answer is. 
  
The question says that the circles DO overlap. 
  
If the situation described in the question is physically possible, 
which I doubt, then the answer is 18 cm^3. Calculating this is quite 
easy. 
  
I intend to send a note to the teacher saying that I think the situation 
is impossible. We'll see how he replies - IF he does. 
  
                            dow 
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