Two circles with radius 1 and 2 are externally tangent at point P. Suppose the distance from point P to the common external tangent line of the two circles is m/n, where m and n are relatively prime positive integers. Find m+n.
See below
We can construct two circles with equations
x^2 + y^2 =4
(x -3)^2 + y^2 = 1
These circles are tangent at P = (2,0)
We can also construct similar triangles ABD and ACE where points D and E are the points of tangency of our line of interest and the two circles
We can find point "A" as follows
Let a = the distance from A to the smaller circle
AB = (radius of smaller circle + a) = 1 + a
AC = ( radius of larger circle + a) = 4 + a
BD = 1
CE = 2
So we have this relationship in these similar triangles
AB / AC = BD / CE
(1 + a) / ( 4 + a) = 1/2 cross-multiply
2 (1 + a) = 1 (4 + a)
2 + 2a = 4 + a
2a - a = 4 - 2
a = 2
So AB = 1 + 2 = 3
So CA = (2 + 1 + 3) = 6
So point A has the coordinates (6,0)
Now since triangle ABD is right with hypotenuse AB, then AD = sqrt ( AB^2 - BD^2) = sqrt (3^2 -1^2) =sqrt (8)
The tangent of angle BAD = BD / AD = 1 /sqrt (8) = the slope of our line
So the equation of our line going through (6,0) is
y = (1/sqrt (8)) ( x - 6)
Multiply through by sqrt 8
sqrt(8)y = x -6
Putting in standard form
x - sqrt (8) y - 6 = 0
The distance from point P = (2,0) to this line is given by
abs [ 2 - sqrt (8)(0) - 6 ] abs (-4) 4
_______________________ = _________ = ___ = PF
sqrt [ 1^2 + [ sqrt (8)]^2 sqrt (9) 3
So m + n = 7