Circle A has a radius of 6 and a center of (2 ,5 ). Circle B has a radius of 3 and a center of (6 ,7 ). If circle B is translated by <3 ,1 >, does it overlap circle A? If not, what is the minimum distance between points on both circles?

1 Answer
Aug 9, 2016

circles overlap.

Explanation:

What we require 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

Before doing this we need to find the new centre of B under the given translation which does not change the shape of the circle only it's position.

Under the translation ((3),(1))

(6 ,7) → (6+3 ,7+1) → (9 ,8) is the new centre of B.

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"

Here the 2 points are (2 ,5) and (9 ,8) the centres of the circles.

let (x_1,y_1)=(2,5)" and " (x_2,y_2)=(9,8)

d=sqrt((9-2)^2+(8-5)^2)=sqrt(49+9)=sqrt58≈7.616

sum of radii = radius of A + radius of B = 6 + 3 = 9

Since sum of radii > d , then circles overlap
graph{(y^2-10y+x^2-4x-7)(y^2-16y+x^2-18x+136)=0 [-40, 40, -20, 20]}