Equation of a Circle

**caramelcake** · August 25th 2010, 03:07 AM

Find the equation of a circle whose centre falls on the line y = 6 - 2x and which passes through the points A(-2,0) and B(4,0)

Since the y-value of both points A and B are 0, I can gather from this question that the diameter is 6 units and so the radius is 3 units. But I can't solve any further.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
*

**pickslides** · August 25th 2010, 03:25 AM

Well the equation of a circle with radius size $r$ is $\displaystyle (x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2$ where $(h,k)$ is its centre.

Now use the information given (substitute in some points) to solve for $r, h, k$

**Soroban** · August 25th 2010, 06:39 AM

Hello, caramelcake!

Find the equation of the circle whose center is on $y \:=\:6-2x$
and which passes through $A(\text{-}2,0)$ and $B(4,0).$

Since the $y$ -value of both points $A$ and $B$ are 0,
I can gather that the diameter is 6 units. . This is not true!

Did you make a sketch?

Code:

           \    |
            \   * * *
            *\  |       *
          *   \ | :       *
         *     \| :        *
                * :
        *       |\:C        *
        *       | o         *
        *       | :\        *
                | : \
         *      | :  \     *
      - - o - - + - - \ - o - - - - -
         -2 *   | :    \* 4
                * * *   \
                | :

The $x$ -intercepts of the circle are: $A(\text{-}2,0)$ and $B(4,0)$

The center lies on the vertical line midway between the intercepts: . $x \:=\:1$

The center also lies on the line $y \:=\:6-2x$

. . The center is the intersection of the two lines: . $C(1,4)$

The radius is the distance $\overline{CA}\!:\;5$

Therefore: . $(x-1)^2 + (y-4)^2 \:=\:5^2$

**caramelcake** · August 27th 2010, 07:44 PM

Thank you pickslides and Soroban for your input

Terribly sorry for the late reply, I didn't log in in time to check the second reply before submitting my homework >.<
Either way, I have already completed it so here's my answer:
x-coordinate of centre is $\frac{-2+4}{2}$ $=1$
$y = 6 - 2 = 4$
radius of circle = $\sqrt{(1 + 2)^2 + (4 - 0)^2}<br />$
$= \sqrt{25}$
$= 5 units$
equation of the circle is
$(x + 1)^2 + (y - 4)^2 = 5^2$
$x^2 - 2x +1 + y^2 - 8y + 16 = 25$
$x^2 + y^2 - 2x - 8y -8 = 0$

Thread: Equation of a Circle

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display

Equation of a Circle

Similar Math Help Forum Discussions

Circle Equation

The equation of a circle

equation of circle

Equation of a Circle HELP!!!

Equation for a circle.

Search Tags