In the XY co-ordinate plane, circle C has center at (8,0) and tangent

Question

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

fameatop · Accepted Answer

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.

Bunuel · Answer

Refer to the diagram below: 1.PNG If a line is tangent to a circle, then a radius drawn to the point of contact is perpendicular to that line. Now, as the line y=x makes 45 degrees with the axis then we have 45-45-90 right triangle with hypotenuse equal to 8, thus the leg/radius (red segment) equals to \frac{8}{\sqrt{2}} and the diameter equals to 2*\frac{8}{\sqrt{2}}=8*\sqrt{2} . Answer: C.

beyondgmatscore · Answer

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

Bunuel · Answer

Yes, actually it is. Though as the diagram is symmetric to y=x it doesn't matter at all: for any point (8,0), (0,8), (-8,0), (0,-8) the answer would be the same.

Also I wouldn't recommend approach you used as it involves memorizing the formula you don't really need for the GMAT. As you can see one can solve this problem in pretty straightforward way without this formula.

beyondgmatscore · Answer

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.

Bunuel · Answer

OK then here it is: DISTANCE BETWEEN THE LINE AND POINT: Line: ay+bx+c=0 , point (x_1,y_1) d=\frac{|ay_1+bx_1+c|}{\sqrt{a^2+b^2}} DISTANCE BETWEEN THE LINE AND ORIGIN: As origin is (0,0) --> d=\frac{|c|}{\sqrt{a^2+b^2}} Please note again that it's highly unlikely that you'll need this on the GMAT. Problems: distance-to-line-point-on-coordinate-plane-please-help-102776.html gmatclub-hardest-questions-co-geometry-q1-92566.html

SandhyAvinash · Answer

Hi bunuel please explain the solution in more steps, it is unclear to me. From where does square root 2 came? please help me to understand this.

Bunuel · Answer

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

• A right triangle where the angles are 45°, 45°, and 90°.  
 https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?id=10158 
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.

bumpbot · Answer

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In the XY co-ordinate plane, circle C has center at (8,0) and tangent

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In the XY co-ordinate plane, circle C has center at (8,0) and tangent

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