Circle A has a radius of #4 # and a center of #(8 ,5 )#. Circle B has a radius of #2 # 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
Jan 6, 2017

circles overlap.

Explanation:

What we have to do here is #color(blue)"compare"# the distance ( d) between the centres of the circles with 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 #((3),(1))#

#(6,7)to(6+3,7+1)to(9,8)larrcolor(blue)" new centre of B"#

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

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

#The 2 points here are (8 ,5) and (9 ,8)

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

#d=sqrt((9-8)^2+(8-5)^2)=sqrt(1+9)=sqrt10≈3.162#

sum of radii = radius of A + radius of B = 4 + 2 = 6

Since sum of radii > d , then circles overlap.
graph{(y^2-10y+x^2-16x+73)(y^2-16y+x^2-18x+141)=0 [-25.31, 25.32, -12.66, 12.65]}