Circle A has a radius of 3 3 and a center of (3 ,9 )(3,9). Circle B has a radius of 2 2 and a center of (1 ,4 )(1,4). If circle B is translated by <3 ,-1 ><3,1>, does it overlap circle A? If not, what is the minimum distance between points on both circles?

1 Answer
Sep 17, 2016

No overlap between Circle A and Circle B. Minimum distance = 1.083. See explanation and the diagram below.

Explanation:

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Compare the distance (d) between the centres of the circles to the sum of the radii.

1) If the sum of the radii >>d, the circles overlap.
2) If the sum of the radii <<d, the no overlap.

The first step here is to calculate the new centre of B under the traslation, which does not change the shape of the circle only its' position.

Under a translation <3, -1><3,1>
B(1,4) => (1+3,4-1) => (4,3)B(1,4)(1+3,41)(4,3) new centre of B

To calculate d, use the distance formula :
d=sqrt((x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2)d=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2

where (x_1,y_1) and (x_2,y_2)(x1,y1)and(x2,y2) are 2 coordinate points

here the two points are (3,9)(3,9) and (4,3)(4,3) the centres of the circles

let(x_1,y_1)=(3,9)(x1,y1)=(3,9) and (x_2,y_2)=(4,3)(x2,y2)=(4,3)

d=sqrt((4-3)^2+(3-9)^2)=sqrt(1^2+(-6)^2)=sqrt37=6.083d=(43)2+(39)2=12+(6)2=37=6.083

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

Since sum of radius <<d, then no overlap of the circles

Min.D minimum distance (the red line in the daigram) :

d-dsum of radii = 6.083-5=1.083=6.0835=1.083