The set of all real values of $\lambda$ for which exactly two common tangents can be drawn to the circles…

The set of all real values of $\lambda$ for which exactly two common tangents can be drawn to the circles $x^2+y^2-4 x-4 y+6=0$ and $\mathrm{x}^2+\mathrm{y}^2-10 \mathrm{x}-10 \mathrm{y}+\lambda=0$ is the interval:
  1. $(12,32)$
  2. $(18,42)$
  3. $(12,24)$
  4. $(18,48)$

Solution

The equations of the circles are $ x^2+y^2-10 x-10 y+\lambda=0 $ and $x^2+y^2-4 x-4 y+6=0$ $ \begin{aligned} &C_1=\text { centre of }(1)=(5,5) \\ &\mathrm{C}_2=\text { centre of }(2)=(2,2) \\ &d=\text { distance between centres } \\ &=\mathrm{C}_1 \mathrm{C}_2=\sqrt{9+9}=\sqrt{18} \\ &r_1=\sqrt{50-\lambda}, r_2=\sqrt{2} \\ &\text { For exactly two common tangents we } \\ &\text { have } \\ &r_1-r_2 < C_1 C_2 < r_1+r_2 \\ &\Rightarrow \sqrt{50-\lambda}-\sqrt{2} < 3 \sqrt{2} < \sqrt{50-\lambda}+\sqrt{2} \\ &\Rightarrow \sqrt{50-\lambda}-\sqrt{2} < 3 \sqrt{2} \text { or } 3 \sqrt{2} < \sqrt{50-\lambda}+\sqrt{2} \\ &\Rightarrow \sqrt{50-\lambda} < 4 \sqrt{2} \text { or } 2 \sqrt{2} < \sqrt{50-\lambda} \\ &\Rightarrow 50-\lambda < 32 \text { or } 8 < 50-\lambda \\ &\Rightarrow \lambda>18 \text { or } \lambda < 42 \\ &\text { Required interval is }(18,42) \\ & \end{aligned} $

Asked in: JEE Main 2014 (11 Apr Online)

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