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Notice that the problem DOES NOT ASK YOU to find the coordinates of the intersection points.
It only ask you to find a linear equation for the line, which goes through these points.
Therefore, MUCH SIMPLER solution is possible.
If the point (x,y) lies on both curves/(circles), given by their equations
x^2 + y^2 = 25, (1)
(x-8)^2 + (y-4)^2 = 65, (2)
then this point belongs to the intersection of these curves and satisfies to the equation
which is the difference of equations (1) and (2).
The difference of these equations CANCEL the quadratic terms, leaving only linear terms
x^2 + y^2 = 25 (1)
x^2 - 16x + 64 + y^2 - 8y + 16 = 65 (2)
--------------------------------------------------- Take the difference eq(1) - eq(2)
16x - 64 + 8y - 16 = 25 - 65
16x + 8y = 25 - 65 + 64 + 16
16x + 8y = 40
2x + y = 5.
ANSWER. The equation, the problem asks for, is 2x + y = 5.
Solved.