Answer to Question #265 in Geometry for mario_rosso

Question

Two circles are given. Their radiuses are R1 and R2. The distance between their centers is d1 (d1>R1+R2). What is the minimal and maximal distance between points X and Y which belong to these circles?

Answer 1

The minimal distance is equal to d1 – R1 – R2;
The maximal distance is equal to d1 + R1 + R2;