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Let TT be the triangle formed by the straight line 3x+5y−45=03x + 5y - 45 = 0 and the coordinate axes. Let the circumcircle of TT have radius of length L,L, measured in the same unit as the coordinate axes. Then, the integer closest to LL is

Entered answer:

Solution

✅ Correct Answer: 9

We need to find the circumradius of triangle T formed by the line 3x + 5y - 45 = 0 and the coordinate axes.


The triangle T is formed by:

The given line: 3x + 5y - 45 = 0

The x-axis (y = 0)

The y-axis (x = 0)

To find where the line intersects the axes:

Y-intercept (where line meets y-axis, x = 0):

3(0) + 5y - 45 = 0

5y = 45

y = 9

So point A = (0, 9)

X-intercept (where line meets x-axis, y = 0):

3x + 5(0) - 45 = 0

3x = 45

x = 15

So point B = (15, 0)

The third vertex is the origin O = (0, 0) where the coordinate axes meet.


Triangle T has vertices at O(0, 0), A(0, 9), and B(15, 0).

Notice that:

Side OA lies along the y-axis

Side OB lies along the x-axis

Since the coordinate axes are perpendicular, angle AOB = 90°

This means triangle T is a right triangle with the right angle at the origin.


For any right triangle, the circumradius equals half the hypotenuse.

In a right triangle, the hypotenuse is actually a diameter of the circumcircle. Since radius = diameter ÷ 2, we get:

Circumradius = Hypotenuse2\frac{\text{Hypotenuse}}{2}


The hypotenuse is AB. Using the distance formula:

AB = (15−0)2+(0−9)2\sqrt{(15-0)^2 + (0-9)^2}

AB = 152+(−9)2\sqrt{15^2 + (-9)^2}

AB = 225+81\sqrt{225 + 81}

AB = 306\sqrt{306}


Circumradius L = AB2=3062\frac{AB}{2} = \frac{\sqrt{306}}{2}

Since 306≈17.49\sqrt{306} \approx 17.49:

L ≈17.492≈8.75\approx \frac{17.49}{2} \approx 8.75


The closest integer to 8.75 is 9.

Therefore, the integer closest to L is 9.


When you see a triangle formed by a line and the coordinate axes, it's always a right triangle with the right angle at the origin. For such triangles, the circumradius is simply half the distance between the two intercepts.

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