October 2020 Paper 2 Q14

EdexcelCurrent spec7 marksCo-ordinate GeometryQuadratics

14. A circle \(C\) with radius \(r\)

  • lies only in the 1st quadrant
  • touches the \(x\)-axis and touches the \(y\)-axis

The line \(l\) has equation \(2x + y = 12\)

(a) Show that the \(x\) coordinates of the points of intersection of \(l\) with \(C\) satisfy\[5x^2 + (2r - 48)x + (r^2 - 24r + 144) = 0\] (3)

Given also that \(l\) is a tangent to \(C\),

(b) find the two possible values of \(r\), giving your answers as fully simplified surds. (4)