Problem Solving

Problem Solving

A student is drawing a friction drive in which two circular disks are in contact with each other. They are represented by circles in the drawing. The first has a radius of 10.0cm and the second has a radius of 12.0cm. What is the equation of each circle if the origin is at the center of the first circle and the x-axis passes through the center of the second circle?
    Solution

First draw a sketch to help visualize the problem. Draw both circles and the x and y axes through the origin.

The equation of the first circle is:         x2 + y2 = 102

The second circle is:            (x – 22)2 + ( y – 0)2 = 122

                                            or     (x – 22)2 + y 2 = 144

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