Two circles are centred at the origin. The point P(8,6) is on the larger circle and the point S(0,k) is on the smaller circle. If QR=3, what is the value of k?
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
We can determine the distance from O to P by dropping a perpendicular from P to T on the x-axis. We have OT=8 and PT=6, so by the Pythagorean Theorem, OP2=OT2+PT2=82+62=64+36=100. Since OP>0, then OP=100=10. Therefore, the radius of the larger circle is 10. Thus, OR=10. Since QR=3, then OQ=OR−QR=10−3=7. Therefore, the radius of the smaller circle is 7. Since S is on the positive y-axis and is 7 units from the origin, then the coordinates of S are (0,7), which means that k=7.
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