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A circle touches the y-axis at (0,4)(0, 4) and passes through the point (−2,0)(-2, 0). Then the radius of the circle is

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 2

When a circle touches the y-axis at point (0,4)(0, 4), it means the circle is tangent to the y-axis at that point. The center must be directly to the left or right of (0,4)(0, 4).

Since the circle also passes through (−2,0)(-2, 0), the center must be to the left of the y-axis.


Since the circle touches the y-axis at (0,4)(0, 4), the center is at (h,4)(h, 4) where h<0h < 0

The distance from center to the tangent point equals the radius:

Radius =∣h−0∣=∣h∣= |h - 0| = |h|


The circle passes through (−2,0)(-2, 0), so the distance from center (h,4)(h, 4) to (−2,0)(-2, 0) also equals the radius.

Using the distance formula:

(h−(−2))2+(4−0)2=−h\sqrt{(h - (-2))^2 + (4 - 0)^2} = -h

(h+2)2+16=−h\sqrt{(h + 2)^2 + 16} = -h

(h+2)2+16=h2(h + 2)^2 + 16 = h^2

h2+4h+4+16=h2h^2 + 4h + 4 + 16 = h^2

4h+20=04h + 20 = 0

h=−5h = -5


Since radius =−h= -h and h=−5h = -5:

Radius =−(−5)=5= -(-5) = 5

The radius of the circle is 55 units.

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