Geometry Challenge: Calculating Radius Increase in Surface Intersections

Problem:

Consider the surfaces defined by:

z = 8 − x² − y² and z = x² + y².

These two surfaces intersect along a circle in the xy-plane.

Question:

If the constant term in the first equation increases by 100% (i.e., changes from 8 to 16), by what percentage does the radius of the circle of intersection increase?

Answer Choices:

  1. 41.4%
  2. 50%
  3. 100%
  4. 82.8%

Answer:

A) 41.4%

Explanation:

When the constant term in the first equation increases by 100%, it changes from 8 to 16. Here’s how this affects the radius of the circle of intersection:

  1. Original Intersection:
    • Given Equations:
      • z = 8 − x² − y²
      • z = x² + y²
    • Finding the Intersection:

      8 − x² − y² = x² + y²
      8 = 2x² + 2y²
      x² + y² = 4

    • Radius of Intersection Circle (r₁):

      r₁ = √4 = 2

  2. After Increasing the Constant Term by 100%:
    • New First Equation:

      z = 16 − x² − y²

    • Finding the New Intersection:

      16 − x² − y² = x² + y²
      16 = 2x² + 2y²
      x² + y² = 8

    • Radius of New Intersection Circle (r₂):

      r₂ = √8 = 2√2 ≈ 2.828

  3. Calculating the Percentage Increase in Radius:

    Percentage Increase = ((r₂ − r₁) / r₁) × 100%
    = ((2.828 − 2) / 2) × 100%
    = (0.828 / 2) × 100%
    = 0.414 × 100% = 41.4%

Summary:

When the constant term in the equation z = 8 − x² − y² increases by 100% to become 16, the radius of the circle where the two surfaces intersect increases from 2 to approximately 2.828. This results in a 41.4% increase in the radius of the intersection circle.