Question
A circle of radius 2 is externally tangent to a circle of radius 8. Compute the length of their common tangent.
Answers
Steve
Draw radii to the points of tangency.
Draw a line connecting the centers.
Draw a parallel line, 2 units closer to the tangent points.
Now you have a right triangle with legs 10 and 6, with the tangent line forming the hypotenuse.
Draw a line connecting the centers.
Draw a parallel line, 2 units closer to the tangent points.
Now you have a right triangle with legs 10 and 6, with the tangent line forming the hypotenuse.