The number of common tangents to the circles x2+y2=4 and x2+y2−6x−8y=24 is:
Options
A.
Option A is correct
1
(Correct)
B.
Option B
2
C.
Option C
3
D.
Option D
4
Explanation
Let the first circle be S1:x2+y2=4. Its center is C1=(0,0) and its radius is R1=2.
Let the second circle be S2:x2+y2−6x−8y=24. Its center is C2=(−(−6)/2,−(−8)/2)=(3,4). Its radius is R2=32+42−(−24)=9+16+24=49=7.
The distance between the centers d=C1C2=(3−0)2+(4−0)2=9+16=25=5.
Now, we compare d with R1+R2 and ∣R1−R2∣.
R1+R2=2+7=9.
∣R1−R2∣=∣2−7∣=5.
Since d=∣R1−R2∣ (i.e., 5=5), the two circles touch each other internally. When two circles touch internally, they have exactly one common tangent.