Find the equation of the circle

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To find the equation of a circle that touches the axes and has its center on the line x - 2y = 3, the center must be of the form (a, a) or (a, -a). The line y = x/2 - 3/2 does not intersect y = x for x > 0, indicating that a circle with its center on this line cannot touch both axes. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the center's coordinates based on the line's constraints. Ultimately, the solution must focus on the geometric relationships rather than the quadrants where the line resides. The conclusion is that a circle with the specified properties cannot exist under the given conditions.
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Homework Statement


Find the equation of the circle which touches the axes and whose centre lies on the line x-2y=3


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The Attempt at a Solution



The given line passes through 1st, 3rd and 4th quadrants.
So the centre of the circle may lie in any of these i.e. it can be of the form (a,a) (a,-a) (-a,-a).
But my book considers only (a,a) (a,-a) for finding the equation of circles.
 
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for the line y=x/2-3/2 even though it passes through the first quadrant, it doesn't intersect the line y=x, x>0 so there cannot exist a circle with centre on that line which touches both x and y axes.
 


Thanks alot!
 


No problem :smile: You don't even have to consider which quadrants the line is in, just start solving for that line and the lines y=x and y=-x.
 
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