Circle A has a radius of #2 # and a center of #(2 ,5 )#. Circle B has a radius of #3 # and a center of #(7 ,8 )#. If circle B is translated by #<-2 ,-4 >#, does it overlap circle A? If not, what is the minimum distance between points on both circles?

1 Answer
Oct 8, 2016

circles overlap.

Explanation:

What we have to do here is #color(blue)"compare"# the distance ( d) between the centres of the circles to the #color(blue)"sum of the radii"#

• If sum of radii > d , then circles overlap

• If sum of radii < d , then no overlap

Before calculating d , we require 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 #((-2),(-4))#

#(7,8)to(7-2,8-4)to(5,4)larr" 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"#

The 2 points here are (2 ,5) and (5 ,4)

let # (x_1,y_1)=(2,5)" and " (x_2,y_2)=(5,4)#

#d=sqrt((5-2)^2+(4-5)^2)=sqrt(9+1)=sqrt10≈3.162#

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

Since sum of radii > d , then circles overlap
graph{(y^2-10y+x^2-4x+25)(y^2-8y+x^2-10x+32)=0 [-28.86, 28.87, -14.43, 14.43]}