MHB Ernesto's question at Yahoo Answers regarding finding a locus of points

  • Thread starter Thread starter MarkFL
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Points
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The locus of points P, from which the sum of the lengths of the tangents to the circles C1: x² + y² = 4 and C2: x² + y² = 9 is constant at 5, is determined to be a circle. By applying the tangent length formula and manipulating the equations, the final locus is expressed as x² + y² = (√145/4)². This indicates that the locus is a circle centered at the origin with a radius of √145/4.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of circle equations in Cartesian coordinates
  • Knowledge of tangent lines and their properties
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation and squaring equations
  • Basic concepts of locus in geometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of tangents to circles in coordinate geometry
  • Learn about the derivation of the locus of points in relation to geometric figures
  • Explore advanced algebraic techniques for solving geometric problems
  • Investigate the implications of locus in real-world applications, such as physics and engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those focusing on geometry and algebra, as well as educators seeking to explain concepts of loci and tangents in circles.

MarkFL
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
13,284
Reaction score
12
Here is the question:

The sum of the lengths of the tangents from a point P to the circumferences...?


The sum of the lengths of the tangents from a point P to the circumferences:

C1 : x² + y² = 4

and

C2 : x² + y² = 9

is constant and equal to 5.
Determine the locus of the point P.

Explain.

Thanks.

I have posted a link there to this thread so the OP can view my work.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hello Ernesto,

Let's orient a circle or radius $r$ centered at the origin, and place a point on the $x$-axis outside of the circle, and let it's distance from the origin be $d$. Drawing a tangent line from this point to the circle (in the first quadrant), we form a right triangle, since the tangent line is perpendicular to the radius of the circle drawn to the tangent point. Let $\ell$ be the length of this line segment. Hence, we may state:

$$r^2+\ell^2=d^2$$

Solving for $\ell$, we obtain:

$$\ell=\sqrt{d^2-r^2}$$

Now, observing that there is also a fourth quadrant tangent point, we may state that the sum $S$ of the lengths of the tangent line segments is:

$$S=2\sqrt{d^2-r^2}$$

Now, if we do this for two circles, one of radius $r_1$ and the other of radius $r_2$, we then have:

$$S=2\left(\sqrt{d^2-r_1^2}+\sqrt{d^2-r_2^2} \right)$$

In order to ease solving for $d$, let's write the equation as:

$$S-2\sqrt{d^2-r_2^2}=2\sqrt{d^2-r_1^2}$$

Squaring both sides of the equation, there results:

$$S^2-4S\sqrt{d^2-r_2^2}+4\left(d^2-r_2^2 \right)=4\left(d^2-r_1^2 \right)$$

Distributing and combining like terms, and isolating the term with the remaining radical we obtain:

$$4S\sqrt{d^2-r_2^2}=4r_1^2-4r_2^2+S^2$$

Squaring again, we obtain:

$$16S^2\left(d^2-r_2^2 \right)=\left(4r_1^2-4r_2^2+S^2 \right)^2$$

$$d^2=\frac{\left(4r_1^2-4r_2^2+S^2 \right)^2}{16S^2}+r_2^2=\frac{\left(4\left(r_1^2-r_2^2 \right)+S^2 \right)^2+\left(4r_2S \right)^2}{(4S)^2}$$

Now, since this will hold for any point that is a distance $d$ from the origin, which describes a circle centered at the origin having radius $d$, we then find the locus of points is:

$$x^2+y^2=\frac{\left(4\left(r_1^2-r_2^2 \right)+S^2 \right)^2+\left(4r_2S \right)^2}{(4S)^2}$$

Now, using the data given with the problem:

$$r_1=2,\,r_2=3,\,S=5$$

We find the locus of points is:

$$x^2+y^2=\left(\frac{\sqrt{145}}{4} \right)^2$$
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
6K
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K