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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from Rhonda, a student: The Greek method for finding the equation of the tangent line to a circle used the fact that at any point on a circle the line containing the radius and the tangent line are perpendicular. Use this method to find an equation of the tangent line to the circle x^2+y^2=9 at the point (1,2 square root of 2). |
Hi Rhonda,
- What in the center of the circle x2 + y2 = 9?
- What is the slope of the line containing the center and (1,2√2)?
- The tangent line at (1,2√2) is perpendicular to the line containing the center and (1,2√2) so what is the slope of the tangent line?
- What is the equation of the tangent line?
Penny
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