Question

Two circle , one with centre M and radius 4 cm and the other with center N and radius 6 cm touch a ine in P and Q respictively . M and N are on opposite sides of line PQ . If MN = 20 , find PQ

Answer 1

Answer:

We can use the theorem of tangents to solve this problem. The theorem states that:

   The distance between the centers of two circles that are tangent to one another is equal to the sum of the radii of the circles.

So, in this case, we have:

PQ = MN - (4 + 6) = 20 - (4 + 6) = 20 - 10 = 10 cm

So, the distance between the centers of the two circles, MN, is 20 cm and the sum of the radii of the circles is 4 cm + 6 cm = 10 cm. Therefore, PQ, the distance between the point of tangency of the two circles, is equal to the difference between MN and the sum of the radii, which is 20 cm - 10 cm = 10 cm.