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Subsection 2.6.5 Area of Common Region between two Intersecting Circles

Activity 2.6.7.

\(\textbf{work in groups}\)
What you require; Compass, ruler, pencil, graph paper and Calculator.
  1. Use a compass to draw a circle with a radius of \(5\,cm\) centered at point \(O\text{.}\)
  2. From a point \(2 \,cm\) to the right of \(O\text{,}\) draw another circle with the same radius (\(5 cm\)).
    This should create an overlapping region.
  3. Name the intersection points of the two circles as P and Q.
  4. Lightly shade the overlapping region between the two circles.
  5. Finding the area of the common region.
    How does the distance between centers affect the common area?
  6. Discuss your result with other learners in class.
\(\textbf{Key Takeaway}\)
The \(\textbf{common region between two intersecting circles}\) refers to the overlapping area shared by both circles.
It is formed when two circles of different or equal radii intersect at two distinct points as shown below.
The area of the common region can be found by:
  1. Calculating the area of the two circular segments formed by the chord joining the intersection points.
  2. Sum the areas of the two segments.
    \begin{align*} A= \amp A_\text{segment 1}+ A_\text{segment 2} \end{align*}
    The figure below shows the two segments.

Example 2.6.18.

The figure below shows two circles of radii \(8\, cm\) and \(6 \,cm\) with centres \(O_1\) and \(O_2\) respectively. The circles intersect at points A and B. The lines \(O_1O_2\) and AB are perpendicular to each other. If the common chord AB is \(9 \,cm\text{,}\) calculate the area of the shaded region.
Intersections
Solution.
From \(\triangle AO_1M\text{;}\)
\begin{align*} O_1M=\amp \sqrt{8^2-4.5^2} \\ = \amp \sqrt{43.75} \\ =\amp 6.14\,cm \end{align*}
From \(\triangle AO_2M\text{;}\)
\begin{align*} O_2M=\amp \sqrt{6^2-4.5^2} \\ = \amp \sqrt{15.75} \\ =\amp 3.969\,cm \end{align*}
The area of the shaded region is the sum of the areas of segments \(AP_1B\) and \(AP_2B\text{.}\) \(\text{Area of segment }AP_1B = \text{area of sector }C_2AP_1B – \text{area of }\triangle O_2AB.\)
Using trigonometry,
\begin{align*} \angle AO_2M=\amp\frac{AM}{AO_2} \\ =\amp \frac{4.5}{6} \\ =\amp 0.75 \\ \angle =\amp sin^{-1} \,(0.75) \\ = \amp 48.59^\circ \end{align*}
\begin{align*} \angle AO_2B=\amp 2\angle AO_2M\\ =\amp 2 \times 48.59^\circ \\ =\amp 97.18^\circ \end{align*}
Area of segment \(AP_1B\)
Area sector.
\begin{align*} = \amp \frac{97.18}{360} \times 3.142 \times 6^2\\ =\amp 30.53 \end{align*}
Area of triangle.
\begin{align*} =\amp\frac{1}{2} \times 9 \times 3.969 \\ =\amp 17.86 \end{align*}
Therefore,
\begin{align*} \text{Area of segment}AP_1B=\amp 30.53 -17.86\\ =\amp 12.67\,cm^2 \end{align*}
\(\text{Area of segment }AP_2B = \text{area of sector }0_1AP_2B – \text{area of }\triangle O_1AB.\)
Using trigonometry,
\begin{align*} \angle AO_1M=\amp\frac{AM}{AO_1} \\ =\amp \frac{4.5}{8} \\ =\amp 0.5625 \\ \angle =\amp sin^{-1} \,(0.5625) \\ = \amp 34.23^\circ \end{align*}
\begin{align*} \angle AO_1B=\amp 2\angle AO_1M\\ =\amp 2 \times 34.23^\circ \\ =\amp 68.46^\circ \end{align*}
Area of segment \(AP_2B\)
Area sector.
\begin{align*} = \amp \frac{68.46}{360} \times 3.142 \times 8^2\\ =\amp 38.24 \end{align*}
Area of triangle.
\begin{align*} =\amp\frac{1}{2} \times 9 \times 6.614 \\ =\amp 29.76 \end{align*}
Therefore,
\begin{align*} \text{Area of segment}AP_2B=\amp 38.24-29.76\\ =\amp 8.48\,cm^2 \end{align*}
Therefore, area of the shaded region is given by; \(\text{Area of segment}AP_1B+\text{Area of segment}AP_2B\)
\begin{align*} =\amp 12.67\,cm^2+8.48\,cm^2\\ =\amp 21.15\,cm^2 \end{align*}

Example 2.6.19.

The figure below shows two intersecting circles of radius \(10\,cm\) each with centre \(P_1\) and \(P_2\text{.}\) The length of \(P_1\) and \(P_2\) is \(6\,cm\text{.}\) (Take \(\pi=3.142\))
Find:
  1. the length of the common chord \(\textbf{PQ}\text{.}\)
  2. the area common to the two circles.
Solution.
We are given:
  • Two intersecting circles with radius \(r=10,cm.\text{.}\)
  • Distance between the centers: \(P_1P_2=6\,cm\text{.}\)
  • The common chord PQ is perpendicular to \(P_1P_2\) at \(T\) (the midpoint of PQ).
  1. Finding the Length of the Common Chord PQ
    Applying the Right-angled triangle property
    Since the chord PQ is perpendicular to the line joining the centers, we can analyze the right-angled triangle \(P_1TP\text{.}\)
    Using the Pythagorean theorem in \(\triangle P_1TP\text{;}\)
    \begin{equation*} P_1P^2=P_1T^2+PT^2 \end{equation*}
    Where:
    • \(P_1P=10\,cm\text{,}\)
    • \(P_1T=\frac{P_1P_2}{2}=\frac{6}{2}=3\,cm\text{.}\)
    Substituting values:
    \begin{align*} 10^2=\amp 3^2+PT^2 \\ 100=\amp 9+PT^2 \\ PT^2=\amp 91 \\ PT=\amp 91 \\ =\amp \sqrt{91} \\ =\amp 9.54 \,cm \end{align*}
    Since PQ \(=2PT\)
    \begin{align*} \text{PQ}=\amp 2 \times 9.54 \,cm \\ =\amp 19.08\, cm \end{align*}
  2. Finding the common area between the two circle.
    The common area consists of two identical circular segments, each subtended by the central angle \(2\theta\) at \(P_1\) or \(P_2\text{.}\)
    Finding \(\theta\)
    \begin{align*} cos\,\theta=\amp \frac{P_1T}{P_1P} \\ =\amp \frac{3}{10} \\ = \amp 0.3 \\ \theta= \amp cos^{-1}\,0.3\\ = \amp 72.54^\circ \end{align*}
    \(\angle\,P_1=\angle \,P_2= 2\times 72.54^\circ\)
    \begin{equation*} =145.08^\circ \end{equation*}
    Finding the segmet of \(P_1 \,\text{and} \, P_1\text{.}\) Since the segment are the same, it implies that area of segment \(P_1=P_2\text{.}\)
    Therefore,
    \(\text{Area of segment}=\text{area of sector}-\text{area of triangle}\)
    Area of sector
    \begin{align*} A=\amp \frac{145.08^\circ}{360} \times 3.142 \times 10^2\\ = \amp 126.62 \,cm^2 \end{align*}
    Area of triangle
    \begin{align*} A=\amp \frac{1}{2} \times 10 \times 10 \times sin\,145.08\\ = \amp \frac{1}{2} \times 10^2 \times sin\,145.08\\ = \amp 28.62\,cm^2 \end{align*}
    Area of segment \(= 126.62 \,cm^2-28.62\,cm^2\)
    \begin{equation*} =98.00\,cm^2 \end{equation*}
    Therefore,
    Area of the common region \(= 2\times 98.00\,cm^2\)
    \begin{equation*} 196.00\,cm^2 \end{equation*}
\(\textbf{Exercises}\)
(Take \(\pi=3.142\))
  1. If two circles of radius \(r\) overlap such that their centers are at a distance \(0.5\,r\text{,}\) express the overlapping area in terms of \(r\text{.}\)
  2. Two circular traffic islands of radius \(10\) meters overlap so that the centers are \(12\) meters apart. The angle subtended at the center of each circle by the chord of intersection is \(120^\circ\text{.}\) Find the area of the overlapping region.
  3. Find the area of the figure below;
  4. In the Olympic symbol, circles of radius \(5 \,cm\) overlap, forming intersections. If the central angle corresponding to the common region is \(90^\circ\text{,}\) find the area of the intersection.
  5. During a rare planetary alignment, two planets appear as overlapping circles in the sky. If both have an apparent radius of \(5000\, km\text{,}\) and their centers are \(6000 \,km\) apart, with a central angle of \(145^\circ\text{,}\) find the overlapping shadow area visible from Earth.
\(\textbf{Technology Integration: Exploring Areas of Part of a Circle}\)
To deepen your understanding of how to find the area of different parts of a circle, explore the following interactive and insightful resources:
  1. YouTube – Shifting Grades Online School
    This video lesson offers a visual and step-by-step explanation on how to find the area of parts of a circle. It’s ideal for learners who prefer guided instruction with examples.
  2. YouTube – Anil Kumar
    Learn about circle sectors and other related topics with this clear and concise tutorial. Great for quick revision or reinforcing concepts.
  3. BBC Bitesize – Guide on Circles
    This interactive webpage from BBC Bitesize explains how to calculate the area of parts of a circle using helpful visuals and explanations.
  4. GeoGebra – Interactive Geometry Tool
    Use GeoGebra to explore and manipulate circle diagrams in real time. You can adjust radii and angles to see how the area of a sector or annulus changes perfect for visual learning and experimentation.

Checkpoint 2.6.20.

Checkpoint 2.6.21.