In the XY co-ordinate plane, circle C has center at (8,0) and tangent to the line y = x what is the diameter of the circle


A. 8

B. \(4 \sqrt 2\)

C. \(8\sqrt 2\)

D. 16

E. \(16\sqrt 2\)

Bunuel - the graph in post above is for a circle at centre (0,8) and not (8,0) as asked in the question

one can use coordinate geometry formula to solve this as well.

Since the line y=x is tangent to the circle with centre (8,0) the length of the perpendicular dropped from point (8,0) to this line would be equal to radius.

Now, length of perpendicular dropped from point (X,Y) to any line ax+by+c=0 is given by the formula Mod ((aX+bY+c)/(a^2+b^2)^0.5))

So, length of perpendicular from point (8,0) is 8/(2)^0.5

and Diameter = 2*radius = 16/(2)^0.5 = 8*(2)^0.5. Answer C

Yes - symmetry makes it immaterial in this particular case.

I agree with you about not needing to remember this formula, but if one knows this concept, quite a few questions of similar nature can be done faster - so this might be useful for some people.

Other method to solve such questions. It's slightly lengthy in the beginning but kinda foolproof
The point at which line y=x touches the circle is perpendicular to the circle.
Slope of line y=x is 1
Thus slope of the line (centre of the circle) touching the point of tangent is -1 & its equation will be (y-0)/(x-8)= -1
y = -x +8..............(1)
y = x ...................(2)
Point of intersection of line (1) & (2) is
x = -x +8
2x = 8 ----> x =4
The other co-ordinate of point of intersection will be
y = -x +8---> y = -4+8---->y=4
The co-ordinates of the point of intersection is (4,4)
Now the distance between point (4,4) & (8,0) will be the radius of the circle
Radius = √((0-4)^2+(8-4)^2 )=4√2
Therefore diameter = 8√2
Answer: C

Hope it will help many others to come.

Triangle formed is a 45-45-90 right triangle.

• A right triangle where the angles are 45°, 45°, and 90°.

This is one of the 'standard' triangles you should be able recognize on sight. A fact you should also commit to memory is: The sides are always in the ratio \(1 : 1 : \sqrt{2}\). With the \(\sqrt{2}\) being the hypotenuse (longest side). This can be derived from Pythagoras' Theorem. Because the base angles are the same (both 45°) the two legs are equal and so the triangle is also isosceles.

For more on this issues check Triangles chapter of Math Book.
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