Locus of Tangents Intersection to Circle

CAT 2023 Slot 1 · Quantitative Ability · Hard · Geometry

Let C be the circle x2+y2+4x−6y−3=0x^2 + y^2 + 4x - 6y - 3 = 0 and L be the locus of the point of intersection of a pair of tangents to C with the angle between the two tangents equal to 60∘60^\circ. Then, the point at which LL touches the line x=6x = 6 is

  1. A.

    (6,4)

  2. B.

    (6,8)

  3. C.

    (6,3)

  4. D.

    (6,6)

Answer

C

Explanation

Circle CC: Center O(−2,3)O(-2, 3), Radius R=(−2)2+32−(−3)=16=4R = \sqrt{(-2)^2 + 3^2 - (-3)} = \sqrt{16} = 4.

Let PP be a point on the locus LL. The angle between tangents from PP to circle CC is 60∘60^\circ, so the angle between OPOP and a tangent line is 30∘30^\circ. sin⁡(30∘)=ROP  ⟹  12=4OP  ⟹  OP=8\sin(30^\circ) = \frac{R}{OP} \implies \frac{1}{2} = \frac{4}{OP} \implies OP = 8

Thus, LL is a concentric circle with center (−2,3)(-2, 3) and radius 88. Equation of LL: (x+2)2+(y−3)2=82=64(x + 2)^2 + (y - 3)^2 = 8^2 = 64.

For x=6x = 6: (6+2)2+(y−3)2=64  ⟹  64+(y−3)2=64  ⟹  y−3=0  ⟹  y=3(6 + 2)^2 + (y - 3)^2 = 64 \implies 64 + (y - 3)^2 = 64 \implies y - 3 = 0 \implies y = 3

So LL touches x=6x = 6 at the point (6,3)(6, 3).

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