Two different circles in the plane with nonempty intersection

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving two sets of circles in the plane, specifically those that intersect or are tangent to the x-axis. Participants explore the implications of the cardinality of these sets and the intersections of the circles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant introduces two sets of circles: set \(\mathcal{Q}\) for circles intersecting the x-axis and set \(\mathcal{T}\) for circles tangent to the x-axis, suggesting that both sets contain at least two circles with non-empty intersections.
  • Another participant proposes that each circle could be identified with a different rational number, noting that every circle contains a point with rational coordinates, leading to the conclusion that there are at most countably many disjoint circles.
  • A subsequent participant questions whether the countability of disjoint circles implies that at least two must intersect, given the uncountably many points on the x-axis.
  • Another reply affirms that if the circles do not intersect, there would be at most countably many, which contradicts the existence of uncountably many intersection points, suggesting that at least two circles must intersect.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of countability and intersection. While some suggest that the countability of circles leads to intersections, others question the reasoning and implications of the cardinality arguments.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of circles and their intersections, as well as the implications of cardinality, which remain unresolved. Specific mathematical steps and definitions are not fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in mathematical reasoning, set theory, and geometric properties of circles may find this discussion relevant.

Arnold1
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Hi.

Here is a problem I've been trying to solve for some time now. Maybe you could help me.
We have two sets
\mathcal {Q} is a set of those circles in the plane such that for any x \in \mathbb{R} there exists a circle O \in \mathcal {Q} which intersects x axis in (x,0).\mathcal {T} is a set of those circles in the plane such that for any x \in \mathbb{R} there exists a circle O \in \mathcal {T} which is tangent to x axis in (x,0).

We need to show that in each of these sets there exist at least two different circles whose intersection isn't empty.
It seems obvious that card (Q) \ge card (\mathbb{R}). Maybe we could somehow identify each circle with a different rational number?
 
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Arnold said:
Maybe we could somehow identify each circle with a different rational number?
Yes, every circle (including interior) contains a point with rational coordinates, just like every segment of the x-axis contains a point with a rational x-coordinate. Therefore, there is at most countably many disjoint circles on a plane.
 
So this is it? There are only countably many disjoint circles meeting the above specified conditions nut uncountably many points on x axis. Can we already deduce that at least two circles intersect?
 
Arnold said:
So this is it? There are only countably many disjoint circles meeting the above specified conditions nut uncountably many points on x axis. Can we already deduce that at least two circles intersect?
Yes, we can. If the circles don't intersect, then there is at most countably many of them. But each circle has at most two intersection points with the x-axis, so the number of intersection points is also countable, a contradiction.
 

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