Join the Most Relevant JEE Main 2025 Test Series & get 99+ percentile! Join Now
Search any question & find its solution
Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
If $\theta$ is the angle between the tangents from $(-1,0)$ to the circle $x^2+y^2-5 x+4 y-2=0$, then $\theta$ is equal to
MathematicsCircleAP EAMCETAP EAMCET 2008
Options:
  • A $2 \tan ^{-1}\left(\frac{7}{4}\right)$
  • B $\tan ^{-1}\left(\frac{7}{4}\right)$
  • C $2 \cot ^{-1}\left(\frac{7}{4}\right)$
  • D $\cot ^{-1}\left(\frac{7}{4}\right)$
Solution:
1413 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: $2 \tan ^{-1}\left(\frac{7}{4}\right)$
We know that, the angle between the two tangents from $(\alpha, \beta)$ to the circle $x^2+y^2=r^2$ is
$$
2 \tan ^{-1} \frac{r}{\sqrt{S_1}}
$$
Given equation of circle is
$$
x^2+y^2-5 x+4 y-2=0 \text {. }
$$
Now, radius, $r=\sqrt{\left(-\frac{5}{2}\right)^2+(2)^2+2}=\sqrt{\frac{49}{4}}$
$$
=\frac{7}{2}
$$
At point $(-1,0)$
$$
\begin{aligned}
S_1 & =(-1)^2+(0)^2-5(-1)+4(0)-2 \\
& =1+5-2=4
\end{aligned}
$$
$\therefore$ Required angle, $\theta=2 \tan ^{-1} \frac{\frac{7}{2}}{\sqrt{4}}$
$$
=2 \tan ^{-1}\left(\frac{7}{4}\right)
$$

Looking for more such questions to practice?

Download the MARKS App - The ultimate prep app for IIT JEE & NEET with chapter-wise PYQs, revision notes, formula sheets, custom tests & much more.