MathDB
Fun Circles

Source: Aime 2005b #15

November 14, 2005
conicsellipseratioanalytic geometrygraphing linesslopetrigonometry

Problem Statement

Let w1w_{1} and w2w_{2} denote the circles x2+y2+10x24y87=0x^{2}+y^{2}+10x-24y-87=0 and x2+y210x24y+153=0x^{2}+y^{2}-10x-24y+153=0, respectively. Let mm be the smallest positive value of aa for which the line y=axy=ax contains the center of a circle that is externally tangent to w2w_{2} and internally tangent to w1w_{1}. Given that m2=p/qm^{2}=p/q, where pp and qq are relatively prime integers, find p+qp+q.