Join $PQ$, $PR$, $PS$, $RQ$, and $RS$. Since the circles with center $Q$, $R$ and $S$ are all tangent to $BC$, then $QR$ and $RS$ are each parallel to $BC$ (as the centres $Q$, $R$ and $S$ are each 1 unit above $BC$). This tells us that $QS$ passes through $R$. When the centers of tangent circles are joined, the line segments formed pass through the associated point of tangency, and so have lengths equal to the sum of the radii of those circles. Therefore, $QR=RS=PR=PS=1+1=2$.

[asy]
size(200);
pair P, Q, R, S;
Q=(0,0);
R=(2,0);
S=(4,0);
P=(3,1.732);
label("Q", Q, SW);
label("R", R, dir(270));
label("S", S, SE);
label("P", P, N);
draw(circle(Q,1), dashed);
draw(circle(P,1), dashed);
draw(circle(R,1), dashed);
draw(circle(S,1), dashed);
draw(P--Q--S--P--R);
[/asy]

Since $PR=PS=RS$, we know $\triangle PRS$ is equilateral, so $\angle PSR=\angle PRS=60^\circ$.  Since $\angle PRS=60^\circ$ and $QRS$ is a straight line, we have $\angle QRP=180^\circ-60^\circ=120^\circ$. Since $QR=RP$, we know $\triangle QRP$ is isosceles, so $$\angle PQR = \frac{1}{2}(180^\circ-120^\circ)= 30^\circ.$$Since $\angle PQS=30^\circ$ and $\angle PSQ=60^\circ$, we have $\angle QPS = 180^\circ - 30^\circ - 60^\circ = 90^\circ$, so $\triangle PQS$ is a $30^\circ$-$60^\circ$-$90^\circ$ triangle. Thus, the answer is $\boxed{30^\circ}$.
Question:
In the diagram, four circles of radius 1 with centres $P$, $Q$, $R$, and $S$ are tangent to one another and to the sides of $\triangle ABC$, as shown. [asy]
size(200);
pair A, B, C, P, Q, R, S;
R=(0,0);
Q=(-2,0);
S=(2,0);
P=(1,1.732);
B=(-5.73,-1);
C=(3.732,-1);
A=(1.366,3.098);
draw(A--B--C--A);
draw(circle(P, 1));
draw(circle(Q, 1));
draw(circle(R, 1));
draw(circle(S, 1));
label("A", A, N);
label("B", B, SW);
label("C", C, SE);
dot(P);
dot(Q);
dot(R);
dot(S);
label("P", P, N);
label("Q", Q, SW);
label("R", R, SW);
label("S", S, SE);
[/asy]


What is the degree measure of the smallest angle in triangle $PQS$?
Answer:
Let's think step by step.

user
30^\circ
In the diagram, four circles of radius 1 with centres $P$, $Q$, $R$, and $S$ are tangent to one another and to the sides of $\triangle ABC$, as shown. [asy]
size(200);
pair A, B, C, P, Q, R, S;
R=(0,0);
Q=(-2,0);
S=(2,0);
P=(1,1.732);
B=(-5.73,-1);
C=(3.732,-1);
A=(1.366,3.098);
draw(A--B--C--A);
draw(circle(P, 1));
draw(circle(Q, 1));
draw(circle(R, 1));
draw(circle(S, 1));
label("A", A, N);
label("B", B, SW);
label("C", C, SE);
dot(P);
dot(Q);
dot(R);
dot(S);
label("P", P, N);
label("Q", Q, SW);
label("R", R, SW);
label("S", S, SE);
[/asy]


What is the degree measure of the smallest angle in triangle $PQS$?
test