Let O be the centre of the circle x2+y2=r2, where r>25. Suppose PQ is a chord of this circle and the equation of the line passing through P and Q is 2x+4y=5. If the centre of the circumcircle of the triangle OPQ lies on the line x+2y=4, then the value of r is ____
Answer: 2
Solution
The chord PQ has equation 2x+4y=5. The perpendicular from O to PQ has slope 2 (negative reciprocal of −1/2), so its equation is y=2x. The circumcentre C of triangle OPQ lies on the perpendicular bisector of PQ, which passes through the midpoint of PQ. For a chord hx+ky=r2 of x2+y2=r2, the circumcentre is at (h,k). Comparing with 2x+4y=5, we get 2h=4k=5r2, so h=52r2 and k=54r2. Thus C=(5r2,52r2). Since C lies on x+2y=4: 5r2+2(52r2)=4, giving r2=4, so r=2.