Problem Solving

BTGmoderatorDC wrote:The center of circle Q is on the y-axis, and the circle passes through points (0, 7) and (0, -1). Circle Q intersects the positive x-axis at (p, 0). What is the value of p?

$$A.\ \frac{7}{3} \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, B.\ 4 \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, C.\ 5 \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, D.\ \sqrt{7} \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, E.\ \sqrt{11}$$

\[? = p\]
\[\left. \begin{gathered}
A = \left( {0,7} \right) \hfill \\
B = \left( {0, - 1} \right)\,\, \hfill \\
\end{gathered} \right\}\,\,\,\,AB\,\,\, = \,\,{\text{diameter}}\]
\[ \odot \,\,\left\{ \begin{gathered}
\,\,{\text{centre = M = }}\left( {\frac{{0 + 0}}{2}\,\,;\,\,\,\frac{{7 + \left( { - 1} \right)}}{2}} \right) = \left( {0,3} \right) \hfill \\
\,\,{\text{radius}} = dist\left( {A,M} \right) = dist\left( {B,M} \right) = 4 \hfill \\
\end{gathered} \right.\]
\[ \odot \,\,:\,\,\,\,{\left( {x - 0} \right)^2} + {\left( {y - 3} \right)^2} = \,{4^2}\]
\[\left( {p,0} \right) \in \odot \,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,{\left( {p - 0} \right)^2} + {\left( {0 - 3} \right)^2} = {4^2}\,\,\,\,\,\mathop \Rightarrow \limits^{p\,\, > \,\,0} \,\,\,\,? = \boxed{p = \sqrt 7 }\,\,\,\]

This solution follows the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.

Regards,
fskilnik.