Equation of a Circle Passing Through Given Points

  • Thread starter Thread starter furtivefelon
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circle
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the equation of a circle that is tangent to both the x-axis and y-axis, and also passes through the point (8, -1). The original poster expresses uncertainty about how to approach this mathematical problem.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of the circle being tangent to the axes and question the meaning of the original problem statement. There is a discussion about the radius of the circle and how it relates to the given points.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the geometry of the problem and suggested methods for finding the radius, while others are seeking clarification on the problem's requirements. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly regarding the tangency to the axes.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that this problem is considered one of the hardest on their homework sheet, and there is a lack of additional points provided for context.

furtivefelon
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
hi, this isn't really a physics problem, more of a math problem, however, i can't find a math forum.. so i thought i'd put it here :D

your given that a circle passes through y-axis adn x-axis, also the circle passes through the points (8, -1).. find the equation of the circle, reminded that the equation should be in the following form: (x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2

i have no idea how i should approach this problem, thanks a lot for your help :P
 
Physics news on Phys.org
furtivefelon said:
your given that a circle passes through y-axis adn x-axis, also the circle passes through the points (8, -1)..

What are the other points?
 
that's the whole question.. that's suppose to be the hardest problem on the sheet, and since there are no any other point, i can't figure it out :|
 
What do you mean my passes through "y" & "x" axis...?Shouldn't it be the other way around...?:wink: Actually,i think they mean that the circle is tangent to those lines...

I found the radius to be either 8.5,or 0.5.You decide which value is correct...

Daniel.
 
mmm.. yes, it indeed is tangent to the x/y axis.. can you tell me how you got it? i care more about the process than the result :D thank you very much!
 
Draw a circle & use geometry in a pythagoreic triangle...

Daniel.
 

Similar threads

Circle approximation of a wave pulse on a string or spring
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
Modeling a mass falling from one side of the Earth to the other
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Work done by non-conservative force while particle moves in circle
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
Mohr's circle with weld across element
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How can I find the velocity of a point on a disk rotating in a disc?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Magnetic field at origin due to infinite wires and semicircular turn
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Conservation of energy problem: Ball rolling down inclined plane and then through a loop-the-loop
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
How to find the radii of these 2 circles given 2 known points
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
To what extent does this system behave as a pendulum?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Surface Pressure Coefficient Distribution of a Doublet in a Uniform Flow
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K