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Let T be the line passing through the points P(-2,7) and Q(2,-5). Let $F_1$ be the set of all pairs of circles $(S_1,S_2)$, such that T is tangent to $S_1$ at P and tangent to $S_2$ at Q, and also such that $S_1$ and $S_2$ touch each other at a point, say, M. Find the locus of point M.

Actually what i presume that the distance between the centre of the circle is $4\sqrt10$ unit , it is the distance between P and Q. But not able to proceed from here onward as i am not able to formulate it.

  • Assuming touch means are tangent to, by experimenting in geogebra, the locus of $M$s seems to be the circle $x^2+(y-1)^2=40$. – Jan-Magnus Økland Aug 21 '18 at 15:14
  • Hint: if you want to solve it algebraically you can choose a more convenient coordinate system, where $P=(-d,0)$ and $Q=(d,0)$ and from there show that the points $M$ indeed lie on a circle of radius $d$ about the origin. Knowing the answer, you can also prove it by using geometry. – Ronald Blaak Aug 21 '18 at 16:46
  • @Jan-MagnusØkland The locus you are claiming involves the point P and Q in it. If M coincides with P or Q then then the radius of one circle becomes zero which means it is a point no a circle... Also if M coincides with P or Q then it would mean that the tangent of a circle meets that circle at two points... whereas a tangent to a circle can only meet a circle at a single point. – Sid Jun 22 '19 at 08:14
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    @Sid just take away those two points. Simulate the situation in something like geogebra and see for yourself. – Jan-Magnus Økland Jun 22 '19 at 08:19
  • @Jan-MagnusØkland I'm not saying you are wrong. You are right. Its just that you must exclude points P and Q from the locus... The problem is not complicated, (if you observe the question properly you will notice chords PM and QM are perpendicular giving the eqn of a circle in diametric form.) – Sid Jun 22 '19 at 08:21
  • @amd Why making this older question the duplicate? The content in the newer post isn't necessarily better. – Lee David Chung Lin Jun 29 '19 at 00:43
  • @LeeDavidChungLin I tried that, but this questions has neither an upvoted nor an accepted answer, so it was rejected by MSE as an original. – amd Jun 29 '19 at 01:41

3 Answers3

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circle

Let $A=(-2+3a/\sqrt{10},7+a/\sqrt{10})$ be the center of the circle tangent to $T: -3x-y+1=0$ at $P$, it is $a$ along the normal to $T$ at $P$. And similarly $B=(2+3b/\sqrt{10},-5+b/\sqrt{10})$. Then the right triangle with hypotenuse $a+b$ and catheti $\sqrt{160}$ and $a-b$, gives the relation $(a+b)^2=160+(a-b)^2$ i.e. $b=40/a$.

The equations of the circles are $$(x-(-2+3a/\sqrt{10}))^2+(y-(7+a/\sqrt{10}))^2=a^2$$ and $$(x-(2+3\cdot 40/(a\sqrt{10}))^2+(y-(-5+40/(a\sqrt{10})))^2=(40/a)^2.$$ And the double intersection point is $$M=((2(12 a \sqrt{10}+a^2-40))/(a^2+40), (280-5a^2+8 a \sqrt{10})/(a^2+40))$$ which we can implicitize to $x^2+(y-1)^2-40=0$.

For completeness the implicitization in M2:

R=QQ[a,b,c,x,y,z]
I=ideal(c^2-10,x-(2*(12*a*b*c+a^2-40*b^2)), y-(280*b^2-5*a^2+8*a*b*c),z-(a^2+40*b^2))
gens gb I

yields $x^2+y^2-2yz-39z^2$ which is $x^2+y^2-2y-39$ dehomogenized or $x^2+(y-1)^2-40=0$.

Edit

@Sid: Of course, excluding the points $P$ and $Q$ on $x^2+(y-1)^2=40$, since then one circle is reduced to a point and the other becomes the line between $P$ and $Q$, and in the limits are not circles.

  • i think points P and Q must be excluded from the locus right? As this would mean the tangent meets the circle S1 or S2 at two points... and a tangent can only meet a circle at one point. – Sid Jun 22 '19 at 06:52
  • I saw the edit. The only reason I took this seriously is because this was a multiple choice question and one option was: is (-2,7) is in the locus? I posted a simpler solution below. – Sid Jun 23 '19 at 05:20
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Let $A$ and $B$ be the centers of the two tangent circles and $C$ the intersection of their common tangent through $M$ with $T$. Consider $\angle{PMQ}$. Both $\triangle{PCM}$ and $\triangle{QCM}$ are isosceles, so, chasing angles, $$\begin{align} m\angle{PMQ} &= m\angle{PMC}+m\angle{CMQ} \\ &= \frac12(\pi-m\angle{PCM})+\frac12(\pi-m\angle{QCM}) \\ &= \frac12(\pi-m\angle{PCM})+\frac12(m\angle{PCM}) \\ &= \frac\pi2. \end{align}$$ Recalling the theorem about right angles inscribed in a circle, this means that the locus of the points $M$ is a circle with diameter $\overline{PQ}$, less the points $P$ and $Q$ themselves.

For an analytic solution, you could use the fact that the centers $C_1$ and $C_2$ of the circles lie on the perpendiculars to $T$ through $P$ and $Q$, respectively. $P-Q=(4,-12)$, so the two centers have parameterizations $C_1 = P+\lambda(3,1)$ and $C_2 = Q+\mu(3,1)$. From the tangency condition, we have $|C_1C_2|=|C_1P|+|C_2Q|$. This, along with the fact that the two circles must be on the same side of $T$ will allow to to solve for, say, $\mu$ in terms of $\lambda$, giving you a one-parameter family of tangent circle pairs. Solve for their intersection point and eliminate $\lambda$ to get an implicit Cartesian equation for the locus of intersection points.

amd
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The equation tangent T (passing through P & Q) : y + 3x = 1.

Note that P$C_{1}$ and Q$C_{2}$ are perpendicular to the tangent as: the line joining the point of intersection of the tangent to the circle and the center of that circle is always perpendicular to the tangent line. Also the set of all lines drawn from the center of a generic circle to a point on that circle is equidistant. Hence, any triangle consisting of two distinct vertices on the circle and one vertex in center of the circle is an isosceles triangle.

Geometrical representation

This image is just an example of two generic circles in F1. There are infinitely many more. But from this generic image we get a result: the angle between PMQ remains 90 degrees (right angle) i.e: $\frac{x+2}{y-7}$.$\frac{x-2}{y+5}$=-1. From this, the diametric form of a circle comes to the mind.

Now one thing to note is that: if a line is tangent to a circle then that line can only meet that circle at one point. Hence points P and Q are excluded from the locus as that would mean the tangent touches two points of either S1 or S2 respectively. Along with this if the point M coincides with P or Q this makes the radius of one circle zero (a point) and the other infinity (a straight line).

Locus is of M: $x^2+y^2 = 2y +39$ excluding: {(-2,7),(2,-5)}

Sid
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