Find the equation of the tangent

  • Thread starter Thread starter Physicsissuef
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Tangent
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the equation of a tangent line to a circular equation, specifically K: x² + y² - 2x + 4y = 0, that is perpendicular to a given line, x - 2y + 9 = 0. Participants are exploring the relationships between the circle's parameters and the conditions for tangency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to derive the tangent line equations using the circle's parameters and the slope of the given line. There is a discussion about the values of p, q, and r² derived from the circle's equation. Some participants question whether x₁ is different from x in the context of the tangent line.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing various approaches to the problem. Some have suggested using implicit differentiation to find the slope of the tangent, while others are exploring the implications of their calculations. There is no explicit consensus yet, as participants are still working through the relationships and equations involved.

Contextual Notes

There are references to discrepancies between participants' results and textbook solutions, indicating potential misunderstandings or different interpretations of the problem setup. Additionally, there is a suggestion that simpler methods might be more effective than the complex formulas being used.

Physicsissuef
Messages
908
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Find the equation of the tangent of the circular [itex]K:x^2 + y^2 - 2x + 4y=0[/itex], perpendicular to the line x-2y+9=0.

Homework Equations



[itex](x_1-p)(x-p)+(y_1-q)(y-q)=r^2[/itex], equation of K.

[itex](kp-q+n)^2=r^2(k^2+1)[/itex], condition for tangent and circular K

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried like this. From the equation [itex]K:x^2 + y^2 - 2x + 4y=0[/itex],
p=1 and q=-2 ,[itex]r^2=5[/itex]
also from x-2y+9=0, the coefficient k of the equation of the tangent should be k=-2.
So I have y=-2x+n, and -2x-y+n=0

[itex](-2*1+2+n)^2=5(4+1)[/itex]
from here I get [itex]n_1=-5[/itex], and [itex]n_2=5[/itex], so the equation should be:

y=-2x-5

y=-2x+5

But the problem is that it is not same with my textbook results. Any help?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Solve the equation of the tangent in terms of k with the equation of the given line to obtain a third point .
 
Physicsissuef said:

Homework Statement



Find the equation of the tangent of the circular [itex]K:x^2 + y^2 - 2x + 4y=0[/itex], perpendicular to the line x-2y+9=0.

Homework Equations



[itex](x_1-p)(x-p)+(y_1-q)(y-q)=r^2[/itex], equation of K.
Is [itex]x_1[/itex] different from x?

[itex](kp-q+n)^2=r^2(k^2+1)[/itex], condition for tangent and circular K

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried like this. From the equation [itex]K:x^2 + y^2 - 2x + 4y=0[/itex],
p=1 and q=-2 ,[itex]r^2=5[/itex]
also from x-2y+9=0, the coefficient k of the equation of the tangent should be k=-2.
So I have y=-2x+n, and -2x-y+n=0

[itex](-2*1+2+n)^2=5(4+1)[/itex]
from here I get [itex]n_1=-5[/itex], and [itex]n_2=5[/itex], so the equation should be:

y=-2x-5

y=-2x+5

But the problem is that it is not same with my textbook results. Any help?
Wouldn't it be simpler just to use basic concepts rather than such complicated formulas?

The line x- 2y+ 9= 0 can be written 2y= x+ 9 or y= (1/2)x+ 9/2 so its slope is 1/2. Any line perpendicular to that must have slope -2. For the given circle, [itex]x^2 + y^2 - 2x + 4y=0[/itex], implicit differentiation gives 2x+ 2yy'- 2+ 4y'= 0 or (2y+ 4)y'= 2- 2x so y'= (2- 2x)/(2y+ 4)= (1- x)/(y+ 2). For what values of x and y is that equal to 2?

You have two equations: (1-x)/(y+2)= 2 and [itex]x^2 + y^2 - 2x + 4y=0[/itex] to solve. Solve the first for either x or y, put that into the second equation and solve the resulting quadratic.
 
x=3
y=-3

x=1
y=-1

What to do now? x and y are different from x_1 and y_1
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
5K