Problems from Relative positions of two circumferences in the plane

Given two circumferences C1 and C2 with given radius r1=2 cm and r2=10 cm, what is the relative position between C1 and C2 where the radius is given and the distance between the centers d is given?

  1. d=0 cm
  2. d=9 cm
  3. d=8 cm
  4. d=13 cm
  5. d=12 cm
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Development:

Note: to resolve this exercise, it is very fortuitous to take paper and pencil and draw a picture of each case to see the solution clearly.

  1. Distance between centers is 0, and the radiuses are different, so these are inside concentric circles.
  2. Distance between centers is 9 so, as the radius of C1 is 2, the circumferences are secant.
  3. Distance between centers is 8 so, as the radius of C1 is 2, circumferences are internally tangent.
  4. 13 cm is greater than the sum of both radiuses, so they are external.
  5. 12 cm distance is equal to the sum of the two radiuses, so they are tangent interiors.

Solution:

  1. internally concentric
  2. secants
  3. interior tangents
  4. external
  5. internal tangents
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