Two circles have the following equations (x +2 )^2+(y -5 )^2= 16 and (x +4 )^2+(y +1 )^2= 25 . Does one circle contain the other? If not, what is the greatest possible distance between a point on one circle and another point on the other?

1 Answer
Jan 19, 2018

Distance between the farthest points of the two circles is

D_F = R_A + D + R_B = 4 + 6.3246 + 5 = color (brown)(15.3246)

Explanation:

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Standard form of equation of a circle is
(x - h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2
Where center coordinates (h,k), r the radius.

Circle 1

center c_1 (-2,5), radius r_1 = 4

Circle 2

center c_2 (-4,-1), radius r_2 = 5

Distance between the centers

D = sqrt((-4 - (-2))^2 + (-1-5)^) = sqrt(2^2 + 6^2) = 6.3246

Since distance between centers greater than their radii, one circle does not contain the other.

Distance between the farthest points of the two circles is

D_f = r_1 + D + r_2 = 4 + 6.3246 + 5 = color (brown)(15.3246)
enter image source here