Circle A has a center at #(-4 ,-3 )# and a radius of #2 #. Circle B has a center at #(2 ,-1 )# and a radius of #3 #. Do the circles overlap? If not what is the smallest distance between them?

1 Answer
Aug 27, 2016

no overlap, ≈ 1.325

Explanation:

What we have to do here is compare the distance (d) between the centres of the circles to the sum of the radii.

• If sum of radii > d , then circles overlap

• If sum of radii < d , then no overlap

To calculate d use the #color(blue)"distance formula"#

#color(red)(|bar(ul(color(white)(a/a)color(black)(d=sqrt((x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2))color(white)(a/a)|)))#
where # (x_1,y_1)" and " (x_2,y_2)" are 2 coordinate points"#

the 2 points here are (-4 ,-3) and (2 ,-1) the centres of the circles.

let # (x_1,y_1)=(-4,-3)" and " (x_2,y_2)=(2,-1)#

#d=sqrt((2+4)^2+(-1+3)^2)=sqrt(36+4)=sqrt40≈6.325#

sum of radii = radius of A + radius of B = 2 + 3 = 5

Since sum of radii < d, then there is no overlap

min. distance between them = d - sum of radii

#=6.325 - 5 = 1.325 #
graph{(y^2+6y+x^2+8x+21)(y^2+2y+x^2-4x-4)=0 [-10, 10, -5, 5]}