Circle Center and Tangent Line

XAT 2019 · Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation · Hard · Coordinate Geometry

Let C be a circle of radius 20\sqrt{20} cm. Let L1, L2 be the lines given by 2x−y−1=02x - y - 1 = 0 and x+2y−18=0x + 2y - 18 = 0, respectively. Suppose that L1 passes through the center of C and that L2 is tangent to C at the point of intersection of L1 and L2. If (a,b)(a,b) is the center of C, which of the following is a possible value of a+ba + b?

  1. A.

    11

  2. B.

    17

  3. C.

    8

  4. D.

    20

  5. E.

    14

Answer

B

Explanation

Intersection P of L1 (2x−y=12x - y = 1) and L2 (x+2y=18x + 2y = 18) is P(4,7)P(4, 7). Center (a,b)(a,b) lies on L1, so b=2a−1b = 2a - 1. Distance from center (a,b)(a,b) to P(4,7)P(4,7) equals radius 20\sqrt{20}: (4−a)2+(7−b)2=20⇒(4−a)2+(8−2a)2=20⇒5(4−a)2=20⇒(4−a)2=4(4-a)^2 + (7-b)^2 = 20 \Rightarrow (4-a)^2 + (8-2a)^2 = 20 \Rightarrow 5(4-a)^2 = 20 \Rightarrow (4-a)^2 = 4. So a=6a = 6 or a=2a = 2. If a=6a = 6, b=11⇒a+b=17b = 11 \Rightarrow a+b = 17. If a=2a = 2, b=3⇒a+b=5b = 3 \Rightarrow a+b = 5. Possible value is 17 (Option B).

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