Math Is Fun Forum

johndoe

Guest

Geometry Problem

Circle O and circle P, with radii 3 and 5, respectively, are both tangent to line l at H. What are the possible lengths of OP?

Grantingriver

Member

Registered: 2016-02-01

Posts: 129

Re: Geometry Problem

If both circles are in the opposite sides of the line l then the distance OP will be the addition of both radii, but if both circles are on the same side of that line then the distance will be the difference between them hence the possible leangths are 8 and 2 respectively.