Equation of Circle Homework: Find Length of Radius & Equation

  • Thread starter Thread starter atavistic
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circle
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around finding the equation of a circle that touches the line y=x at a point P, with OP equal to 4√2 and containing the point (-10,2) within its interior. The length of the chord on the line x+y=0 is given as 6√2, leading to the conclusion that the radius of the circle is 3√2. There is debate about the relationship between the chord and the tangent, with some participants questioning the assumption that the chord is a diameter. The internal point's significance is also discussed, as it could help determine the circle's center and radius for the final equation. The conversation highlights the complexities involved in solving the problem accurately.
atavistic
Messages
105
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A circle touches the line y=x at a pont P such that OP = 4*2^1/2 i.e 4root2 , where O is the origin.The circle contains the point (-10,2) in its interior and the length of its chord on the line x+y=0 is 6root2.Determine the equation of the circle.


The attempt at a solution

OK as its clear that the chord is perpendicular to the tangent so its part of the normal line and hence the diameter.So the length of the radius of the circle is 3root2.

Secondly using under-root S1 = length of tangent drawn from (x1,y1) I got c= 32.

I can't proceed any further.What use is the internal point?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I would just draw this on graph paper and see if that helps.
 
atavistic said:

Homework Statement



A circle touches the line y=x at a pont P such that OP = 4*2^1/2 i.e 4root2 , where O is the origin.The circle contains the point (-10,2) in its interior and the length of its chord on the line x+y=0 is 6root2.Determine the equation of the circle.


The attempt at a solution

OK as its clear that the chord is perpendicular to the tangent so its part of the normal line and hence the diameter.So the length of the radius of the circle is 3root2.

Secondly using under-root S1 = length of tangent drawn from (x1,y1) I got c= 32.

I can't proceed any further.What use is the internal point?
The distance from (0,0) to (x,y) is \sqrt{x^2+ y^2}. You are saying that OP= 4\sqrt{2} so x^2+ y^2= 32. Since, in addition, the point is on the line y= x, 2x^2= 32, x^2= 16, x= 4. P is the point (4,4). The circle passes through the point (4,4). If you could find the center of the circle, you could use that to find the radius and then write down the equation of the circle.

Why is it "clear that the chord is perpendicular to the tangent"? the only time a chord is perpendicular to the tangent to the circle is when the chord is a diameter! You appear to use that to conclude that the radius of the circle must be half the length of that chord, but I can see no reason that it should be "clear".
 
I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...

Similar threads

Back
Top