SOLUTION: Find an equation of the circle of radius 4 that is tangent to both branches of the graph y=|x|

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Question 74582: Find an equation of the circle of radius 4 that is tangent to both branches of the graph y=|x|
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The graph y=abs(x) forms a "v" pointing downward with the point located at the origin (0,0). The open angle of the "v" is a right angle.

The radii of the circle tangent to both branches of the "v" intersect the branches of the "v" at right angles and form a square with the center of the circle at the corner of the square diagonally opposite the origin.

For a circle of radius 4, forming a square of side 4, the length of the diagonal is 4%2Asqrt%282%29

Using the general equation for a circle with radius 4 centered at (0,4%2Asqrt%282%29) gives:

%28x-0%29%5E2%2B%28y-%284%2Asqrt%282%29%29%29%5E2=4%5E2