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If the circles $x^{2}+y^{2}-2 x-2 y-7=0$ and $x^{2}+y^{2}+4 x+2 y+k=0$ cut orthogonally, then the length of the common chord of the circles is
MathematicsCircleKCETKCET 2007
Options:
  • A $\frac{12}{\sqrt{13}}$
  • B 2
  • C 5
  • D 8
Solution:
2028 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: $\frac{12}{\sqrt{13}}$
Given circles are
$$
\begin{aligned}
&S_{1} \equiv x^{2}+y^{2}-2 x-2 y-7=0 \\
&S_{2} \equiv x^{2}+y^{2}+4 x+2 y+k=0
\end{aligned}
$$
Here, $g_{1}=-1, f_{1}=-1, c_{1}=-7$
$$
g_{2}=2, f_{2}=1, c_{2}=k
$$



Equation of common chord is $S_{1}-S_{2}=0$
$$
\begin{gathered}
\Rightarrow x^{2}+y^{2}-2 x-2 y-7-x^{2}-y^{2}-4 x \\
\Rightarrow \quad-2 y-k=0 \\
\Rightarrow \quad-6 x-4 y-7-k=0 \\
\end{gathered}
$$
Since, $S_{1}$ and $S_{2}$ cut orthogonally.
$\begin{aligned} & \therefore & 2\left(g_{1} g_{2}+f_{1} f_{2}\right) &=c_{1}+c_{2} \\ \Rightarrow & 2(-2-1) &=-7+k \\ \Rightarrow & &-6+7 &=k \\ \Rightarrow & & k &=1 \\ & & & \\ & & & \end{aligned}$
Now, length of the common chord
$$
r_{1}=\sqrt{1+1+7}=3
$$
$c_{1}=(1,1)$
Let $C_{1} M=$ perpendicular distance from centre $C_{1}(1,1)$ to the common chord
$$
\begin{aligned}
\Rightarrow C_{1} M &=\frac{|6+4+8|}{\sqrt{6^{2}+4^{2}}}=\frac{|18|}{\sqrt{5^{2}}}=\frac{18}{2 \sqrt{13}}=\frac{9}{\sqrt{13}} \\
\text { Now, } P Q &=2 P M=2 \sqrt{\left(C_{1} P\right)^{2}-\left(C_{1} M\right)^{2}} \\
&=2 \sqrt{9-\left(\frac{9}{\sqrt{13}}\right)^{2}} \\
&=2 \sqrt{9-\frac{81}{13}} \\
&=2 \sqrt{\frac{36}{13}}=\frac{12}{\sqrt{13}}
\end{aligned}
$$

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