What is the maximum number of points of intersection of two circles that have unequal radii?
(A) none
(B) 1
(C) 2
(D) 3
(E) infinite
The OA is the option C.
Is not D the correct choice? Could anyone explain this PS question to me? Thanks.
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What is the maximum number of points of intersection of
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Brent@GMATPrepNow
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With a quick sketch....VJesus12 wrote:What is the maximum number of points of intersection of two circles that have unequal radii?
(A) none
(B) 1
(C) 2
(D) 3
(E) infinite
....we can get 2 points of intersection.
With the exception of a formal proof, we're left on our own accord to find a situation with more than 2 points of intersection.
If we can't identify such a situation, we must go with C
Cheers,
Brent
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Jeff@TargetTestPrep
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VJesus12 wrote:What is the maximum number of points of intersection of two circles that have unequal radii?
(A) none
(B) 1
(C) 2
(D) 3
(E) infinite
Two circles with unequal radii can intersect in three ways:
1) The smaller circle is completely inside the larger circle.
2) The two circles are tangent to each other.
3) The two circles intersect like the ones in a Venn diagram.
The number of points of intersection of these three ways are 0, 1, and 2, respectively. Thus, 2 is the maximum number of intersections.
Answer: C
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