A line and a circle intersect at A and B, as shown below. Find the distance between A and B.
The line is x = 4, and the equation of the circle is x^2 + y^2 = 25.
Let's create a system of equations to solve this question.
First, we know that the two points must be on the equation x2+y2=25
We also know that x must be 4.
Thus, plugging in x=4 into the first equation, we can find y values. We have
42+y2=25y2=25−16y=±√9y=3,y=−3
Thus, the two points A and B are (4,3),(4,−3)
Since they share an x value, the difference between the y values is the distance. We have
3−(−3)=6
Thus, 6 is our final answer.
Thanks! :)