Circle And System Of Circles Question 52

Question: The length of the tangent from the point (4, 5)to the circle $ x^{2}+y^{2}+2x-6y=6 $ is

[DCE 1999]

Options:

A) $ x=3 $

B) $ y=6 $

C) $ 7x-12y-21=0 $

D) $ 7x+12y+21=0 $

Show Answer

Answer:

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Let $S_1 = x^2 + y^2 - 2x + 6y + 6 = 0 $ and $S_2 = x^2 + y^2 - 5x + 6y + 15 = 0$,

then common tangent is S1 - S2 = 0

therefore 3x = 9

therefore x = 3.