For what positive value of c does the line y = -x + c intersect the circle x^2 + y^2 = 1 in exactly one point?
For what positive value of c does the line y = -x + c intersect the circle x^2 + y^2 = 1 in exactly one point?
Sub -x + c in for y in the circular equation and we have that
x^2 + (-x + c)^2 = 1 simplify
x^2 + c^2 - 2cx + x^2 = 1
2x^2 - 2cx + (c^2 - 1) = 0
If these intersect in exactly one point, the discriminant must = 0....so....
(2c)^2 - 4(2)(c^2 - 1) = 0
4c^2 - 8c^2 + 8 = 0
-4c^2 + 8 = 0 subtract 8 from both sides
-4c^2 = -8 divide both sides by -4
c^2 = 2 take the positive root
c = √2
Here's a graph : https://www.desmos.com/calculator/lithgiri0g