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Exercise 2(a) · Q6

Q.Show that the circles x2+y2−36=0x^2+y^2-36=0 and x2+y2−6x−8y+24=0x^2+y^2-6x-8y+24=0 touch each other internally, and find the point of contact and the common tangent at that point.

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Step 1. x2+y2−36=0x^2+y^2-36=0 has centre C1=(0,0)C_1=(0,0), radius r1=6r_1=6. x2+y2−6x−8y+24=0x^2+y^2-6x-8y+24=0 has g=−3,f=−4,c=24g=-3,f=-4,c=24, so centre C2=(3,4)C_2=(3,4) and r22=9+16−24=1r_2^2=9+16-24=1, i.e. r2=1r_2=1.

Step 2. Distance between centres: d=32+42=25=5d=\sqrt{3^2+4^2}=\sqrt{25}=5. Since r1−r2=6−1=5=dr_1-r_2=6-1=5=d, the circles touch internally.

Step 3. The point of contact lies on the ray from C1C_1 through C2C_2, at distance r1r_1 from C1C_1. The unit vector from C1C_1 to C2C_2 is (35,45)\Big(\dfrac35,\dfrac45\Big), so the point of contact is

C1+r1(35,45)=6(35,45)=(185,245).C_1+r_1\Big(\frac35,\frac45\Big)=6\Big(\frac35,\frac45\Big)=\Big(\frac{18}5,\frac{24}5\Big).

Step 4 (check). Distance from C2=(3,4)C_2=(3,4) to this point: (185−3,245−4)=(35,45)\Big(\dfrac{18}5-3,\dfrac{24}5-4\Big)=\Big(\dfrac35,\dfrac45\Big), magnitude =1=r2=1=r_2. Confirmed. …

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