Circle A has a radius of #1 # and a center of #(8 ,2 )#. Circle B has a radius of #4 # and a center of #(5 ,3 )#. If circle B is translated by #<-1 ,5 >#, does it overlap circle A? If not, what is the minimum distance between points on both circles?

1 Answer
Aug 28, 2016

no overlap,min distance ≈ 2.211

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

Before calculating d, we require to find the centre of B under the given translation, which does not change the shape of the circle only it's position.

Under the translation #((-1),(5))#

(5 ,3) → (5-1 ,3+5) → (4 ,8) is 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 (8 ,2) and (4 ,8) the centres of the circles.

let #(x_1,y_1)=(8,2)" and " (x_2,y_2)=(4,8)#

#d=sqrt((4-8)^2+(8-2)^2)=sqrt(16+36)=sqrt52≈7.211#

sum of radii = radius of A + radius of B = 1 + 4 = 5

Since sum of radii < d , then no overlap of circles

min. distance between circles = d - sum of radii

#=7.211-5=2.211#
graph{(y^2-4y+x^2-16x+67)(y^2-16y+x^2-8x+64)=0 [-24.92, 25.03, -12.48, 12.5]}