Two wall clocks are circular, each with radius 3 units. Their centers are 4 units apart. How many common tangents can be drawn?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Given:
Radius of the first circle = 3
Radius of the second circle = 3
Distance between the centers = 4
Formula:
If two circles intersect (d < r₁ + r₂),
then the number of common tangents = 2
r₁ + r₂ = 3 + 3 = 6
d = 4
Because 4 < 6 ⇒ both circles intersect, the number of common tangents = 2