$(a, 0)$ and $(b, 0)$ are centres of two circles belonging to a coaxial system of which $y$-axis is the…

$(a, 0)$ and $(b, 0)$ are centres of two circles belonging to a coaxial system of which $y$-axis is the radical axis. If radius of one of the circles is ' $r$ ', then the radius of the other circle is
  1. $\left(r^2+b^2+a^2\right)^{1 / 2}$
  2. $\left(r^2+b^2-a^2\right)^{1 / 2}$
  3. $\left(r^2+b^2-a^2\right)^{1 / 3}$
  4. $\left(r^2+b^2+a^2\right)^{1 / 3}$

Solution

Let the equation of circle whose centre $(a, 0)$ and radius $(r)$ is $ \begin{gathered} (x-a)^2+(y-0)^2=r^2 \\ \Rightarrow \quad S_1 \equiv x^2+a^2-2 a x+y^2-r^2=0 \end{gathered} $ and the equation of circle whose centre $(b, 0)$ and radius $R$ is $ \begin{gathered} (x-b)^2+(y-0)^2=R^2 \\ \Rightarrow \quad S_2 \equiv x^2+b^2-2 b x+y^2-R^2=0 \end{gathered} $ $\therefore$ Equation of radical axis is $ \begin{gathered} S_1-S_2=0 \\ \Rightarrow \quad a^2-b^2+2 b x-2 a x+R^2-r^2=0 \\ \Rightarrow \quad R^2=r^2-a^2+b^2-2 b x+2 a x \end{gathered} $ Since, radical axis is $y$-axis. Therefore, putting $x=0$ in Eq. (i), we get $ \begin{aligned} & R^2=r^2-a^2+b^2-0+0 \\ \Rightarrow \quad & R=\left(r^2+b^2-a^2\right)^{1 / 2} \end{aligned} $

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2013

Practice more Circle questions on Aicharya