[ASK] A Line Intercepting A Circle

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The discussion focuses on determining the equation of a circle that intercepts a line defined by the equation 3x + 4y + 5 = 0, with a center at (2, 1) and a segment length AB of 8. The participants analyze multiple options for the circle's equation, concluding that none of the provided equations (A through E) accurately represent the circle's properties. The correct approach involves calculating the distance from the circle's center to the line and using the properties of an isosceles triangle to find the radius, leading to the conclusion that the radius must be greater than 4.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of circle equations in the Cartesian plane
  • Knowledge of line equations and their intercepts
  • Familiarity with distance formulas from a point to a line
  • Basic principles of geometry, particularly involving triangles
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  • Learn how to derive the equation of a circle given its center and radius
  • Study the distance formula from a point to a line in coordinate geometry
  • Explore the properties of isosceles triangles and their applications in geometry
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A circle whose center is (2, 1) intercepts a line whose equation is 3x + 4y + 5 = 0 at point A and B. If the length of AB = 8, then the equation of the circle is ...
A. $$x^2+y^2-24x-2y-20=0$$
B. $$x^2+y^2-24x-2y-4=0$$
C. $$x^2+y^2-12x-2y-11=0$$
D. $$x^2+y^2-4x-2y+1=0$$
E. $$x^2+y^2-4x-2y+4=0$$

I don't know how to do it. Judging by the center of the circle, the answer must be either D or E. However, when I checked both of them with Desmos, neither circles even touches the line. How should I do it? Even if there's no right option, I would still like to know in case I encounter this kind of question again.
 
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Monoxdifly said:
A circle whose center is (2, 1) intercepts a line whose equation is 3x + 4y + 5 = 0 at point A and B. If the length of AB = 8, then the equation of the circle is ...
A. $$x^2+y^2-24x-2y-20=0$$
B. $$x^2+y^2-24x-2y-4=0$$
C. $$x^2+y^2-12x-2y-11=0$$
D. $$x^2+y^2-4x-2y+1=0$$
E. $$x^2+y^2-4x-2y+4=0$$

I don't know how to do it. Judging by the center of the circle, the answer must be either D or E. However, when I checked both of them with Desmos, neither circles even touches the line. How should I do it? Even if there's no right option, I would still like to know in case I encounter this kind of question again.
https://www.desmos.com/calculator/ngflni4a1s
 
Find the distance $h$ from the circle center $O$ to the line using this formula. Then you have an isosceles triangle with base $AB=8$ and height $h$. Find the equal legs of the triangle, which is the radius of the circle.

I don't see the correct answer in any of the variants. I believe the red circle on your sketch is the correct one.
 
$(x-2)^2 + (y-1)^2 = r^2$

$AB = 8 \implies r >4 \implies r^2 > 16$
 
Okay, thank you for all your answers. :)
 

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