SOLUTION: Find the value/s of k for which the circle x^2+y^2=4 and (x-4)^2 + (y-3)^2=k^2 intersect at exactly one point.

Algebra.Com
Question 1056900: Find the value/s of k for which the circle x^2+y^2=4 and (x-4)^2 + (y-3)^2=k^2 intersect at exactly one point.
Found 3 solutions by josgarithmetic, ikleyn, MathTherapy:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Begin making a graph according to this description to help see what you may be able to do:
Circle centered at origin (0,0) and radius 2;
Point for other circle center at (4,3), but radius is unknown, k.
A segment connects the two center points (0,0) and (4,3). The equation for the LINE for this segment is .

THINK about that, and the drawing you hopefully made.
Do you imagine a process to continue and find your k?
As a big hint toward that, What is the intersection point for and ?

What is the distance between that found intersection point and (4,3)?
That would be k.


---
I did not solve this for you but explained precisely how you can solve it.

--
Solving the nonlinear system , omitting the steps for it here, should give you the intersection point, ( 8/5, 6/5 ). Use the distance formula to find distance from ( 8/5, 6/5) to (4,3). That is your k.

Answer by ikleyn(52803)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
Find the value/s of k for which the circle x^2+y^2=4 and (x-4)^2 + (y-3)^2=k^2 intersect at exactly one point.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are two answers: k = 3 and k = 7.

Solution

1.  x^2+y^2=4  is the circle of the radius 2 with the center at the origin (0,0).

2.  (x-4)^2 + (y-3)^2=k^2  is the circle of the radius "k" with the center at the point (4,3).

    Notice that this center lies at the distance 5 =  from the origin.

3.  The condition requires that the circle #1 touches the circle #2.

    It is possible in two cases:

    k = 5 - 2 = 3  (exterior touching),  and'

    k = 5 + 2 = 7  (interior touching).

Solved.


Answer by MathTherapy(10552)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the value/s of k for which the circle x^2+y^2=4 and (x-4)^2 + (y-3)^2=k^2 intersect at exactly one point.
Since the circles INTERSECT at just 1 point, it obviously means that they only TOUCH each other at a point on the OUTSIDE of their circumferences
The 1st circle: [] is centered at the origin (0, 0), and has a radius of r = 2 ()
The 2nd circle: [] is centered at (4, 3) and has a radius of r = k
Since the circles touch each other at 1 point, and the 2nd circle’s center is (4, 3), it follows that they MUST TOUCH each other in the 1st quadrant
When joined, the centers of the 2 circles form the 2 radii of the circles, and these radii, combined, happen to form the hypotenuse of a 3-4-5 right triangle. This hypotenuse = 5
Since the circle centered at (0, 0) has a radius of 2, it follows that the circle that’s centered at (4, 3) has a radius of 5 – 2, or 3, so
The 2nd circle: [], centered at (4, 3), can also be much larger than the circle centered at (0, 0), and so, can have a (3 + 2 + 2), or 3,
plus the diameter of the circle centered at (0, 0). This means that the smaller circle [centered at (0, 0)] will be inscribed in the larger circle.
If it's confusing, you'd see a much clearer picture if you draw a diagram, as I did.
It's as easy as that...nothing COMPLEX!
RELATED QUESTIONS

For what value(s)of k will the graph of y=3x^2+(k+2)x+3 touch the x-axis at exactly one... (answered by josmiceli)
Determine the value(s) of k such that the circle x^2+(y-6)^2 = 36 and the parabola x^2 = (answered by josgarithmetic,ikleyn,robertb)
For what value/s of k will the system of equations x^2 + y^2 = 4 and y=kx+4 have exactly (answered by ikleyn)
For what value of k does the following system have exactly one solution? y=x^2... (answered by greenestamps)
Let f(x) = x^2 + kx and g(x)=x + k. The graphs of f and g intersect at two distinct... (answered by josgarithmetic,ikleyn)
1. center at A (-3,5) radius is units 2. center at origin, radius is 7 over 2 units 3.... (answered by greenestamps)
Find the value(s) of {{{k}}} for which {{{k+5x+x^2}}} can be factored. (answered by Edwin McCravy)
If two circles {{{ x^2 + y^2 + 2x + 2ky + 6 = 0 }}} and {{{ x^2 + y^2 + 2ky + k = 0 }}}... (answered by MathLover1,ikleyn)
For what values of K is y=k a tangent to the circle... (answered by stanbon)