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I have a question, to find the equation of all circles tangential to the lines $y=0,\,x=0$ and $y=-x+2$.

There should be $4$ circles. I understand so far that circles take the form $$(x - h)^2+(y - k)^2=r^2$$ I tried solving this, but am stuck, and don’t know how to approach it. I figured that to remain tangential to the axis, the circle would need to shift to a value equal to that of its radius, so the edges touch. Hence $$(x - b)^2 + (y - b)^2 = b^2$$ But I am lost after this point. I tried substituting in $y = - x + 2$ into that equation and try solving for $x$ in terms of $b$, but end up with $$2x^2 - 4x + 4 = -b^2 +4b$$ However I don’t know what I am achieving by doing this. I’m trying to understand how I will solve this logically. Any help or pointers would be appreciated, thanks!

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2 Answers 2

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Hint:

If the equation of the circle be $$(x-a)^2+(y-b)^2=r^2$$

The distance from the center = radius,

i.e., $$r=\dfrac{|b|}{1}=\dfrac{|a|}{1}=\dfrac{|a+b-2|}{\sqrt2}$$

If $a=b$

$$\sqrt2|a|=|2a-2|\implies2a^2=(2a-2)^2\implies a=?$$

What if $a=-b?$

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  • $\begingroup$ Sorry on the second line, where does the √2 in the denominator come from? $\endgroup$
    – Subbota
    Commented May 19, 2020 at 13:09
  • $\begingroup$ @Subbota, What is the distance of $(a,b)$ from $$y=-x+2$$ $\endgroup$ Commented May 19, 2020 at 13:13
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Continuing where OP finished:

$$2x^2 - 4x + 4 = -b^2 +4b$$ is a quadratic equation. The line is a tangent line when the solution is double (discriminant $D=0.)$

$$D=-8(b^2-4b+2)=0 \iff b=2\pm \sqrt2$$

I guess you can solve it similarly for two circles in the quadrants II and IV.

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