The distance of the point from the common tangent , of the curves and is:
- A
- B
- C
- D
The distance of the point from the common tangent , of the curves and is:
Correct answer:B
Standard Method
Given: The curves are and . We need the distance of the point from their common tangent.
Find: The perpendicular distance from the point to the common tangent line.
From the solution, the common tangent is obtained as
This is equivalent to
so the required tangent is identified.
Now use the distance of a point from the line :
Here,
and the point is
Substituting,
Since
we get
Therefore, the distance is and the correct option is B.
Using the extracted tangent directly
Given: The extracted solution identifies the common tangent as .
Find: Distance from to this line.
Write the line in the standard form
with
Apply the point-to-line distance formula:
Substitute :
Now simplify:
Hence,
Therefore, the required distance is .
Using the slope form incorrectly after finding the tangent. The distance formula must be applied to the standard form . Convert the line first, then substitute the point coordinates.
Making a sign error while evaluating . This product is , not negative. Keep both minus signs and the square of carefully.
Using or another incorrect denominator. For the line , the denominator is .
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