y =

1
2
x + 1
m =
1
2
m

=
1
m
= 2
y = 2x + 1
Notice that the line passes through the centre of the circle.
To determine the coordinates of A and B, we substitute the straight line y = 2x + 1
into the equation of the circle and solve for x:
x
2
+ (y 1)
2
= 80
x
2
+ (2x + 1 1)
2
= 80
x
2
+ 4x
2
= 80
5x
2
= 80
x
2
= 16
x = 4
If x = 4 y = 2(4) + 1 = 7
If x = 4 y = 2(4) + 1 = 9
This gives the points A(4; 9) and B(4; 7).
Step 3: Determine the equations of the tangents to the circle
Tangent at A:
y y
1
=
1
2
(x x
1
)
y 9 =
1
2
(x + 4)
y =
1
2
x + 11
Tangent at B:
y y
1
=
1
2
(x x
1
)
y + 7 =
1
2
(x 4)
y =
1
2
x 9
The equation of the tangent at point A is y =
1
2
x + 11 and the equation of the tangent
at point B is y =
1
2
x 9.
301 Chapter 7. Analytical geometry