Finding the Equation of a Circle Passing Through Three Given Points

In summary, the equation of a circle with center (2, -1), radius 5, and that intersects at (5/2, 5/2) is (x-2)^2+(y+1)^2=25.
  • #1
karush
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find an equation of the circle passing through the given points
85 Given $(-1,3),\quad (6,2),\quad (-2,-4)$
since the radius is the same for all points set all cirlce eq equal to each other
$(x_1-h)^2+(y_1-k)^2=(x_2-h)^2+(y_2-k)^2=(x_3-h)^2+(y_3-k)^2$
plug in values
$(-1-h)^2+(3-k)^2=(6-h)^2+(2-k)^2=(-2-h)^2+(-4-k)^2$
from this we get (via W|A)
$h = 2,\quad k = -1$
derive the radius by the distance of the center to one of the points
$d=\sqrt{(2-(-2))^2+(-1-(-4))^2}\sqrt{16+9}=\sqrt{25}=5$
thus the stardard circle equation would be
$\left(x-2\right)^2+\left(y+1\right)^2=25$

ok I think this is ok, but I was going to try to do this with a matrix but with the squares in it didn't see how
also want to try to draw the 3 points, center, and circle with tikx

first attempt... need 3 points and ticks and text
\begin{tikzpicture}
\draw (.4,-.2) circle (1cm);
\draw (-2,0) -- (3,0);
\draw (0,-2) -- (0,2);
\end{tikzpicture}

I assume there might be some kill all formula used for this problem.
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
karush said:
find an equation of the circle passing through the given points
$(-1,3),\quad (6,2),\quad (-2,-4)$

slope between (-1,3) and (-2,-4) ... $m = 7$

midpoint between (-1,3) and (-2,-4) ... (-3/2, -1/2)

perpendicular bisector ... $y + \dfrac{1}{2} = -\dfrac{1}{7}\left(x + \dfrac{3}{2}\right)$
slope between (-1,3) and (6,2) ... $m = -\dfrac{1}{7}$

midpoint between (-1,3) and (6,2) ... (5/2, 5/2)

perpendicular bisector ... $y - \dfrac{5}{2} = 7 \left(x - \dfrac{5}{2} \right)$intersection of the two perpendicular bisectors is the circle center, (2, -1)distance between any point and the center is the radius ... $r = 5$

circle equation ...

$(x-2)^2 + (y+1)^2 = 5^2$
 
  • #3
well that was certainly very novel..

most of these examples throw you to the general equations and do a lot of gymnastics.

ok I assume that is a Desmos graph...
 
  • #4
skeeter said:
slope between (-1,3) and (-2,-4) ... $m = 7$

midpoint between (-1,3) and (-2,-4) ... (-3/2, -1/2)

perpendicular bisector ... $y + \dfrac{1}{2} = -\dfrac{1}{7}\left(x + \dfrac{3}{2}\right)$
slope between (-1,3) and (6,2) ... $m = -\dfrac{1}{7}$

midpoint between (-1,3) and (6,2) ... (5/2, 5/2)

perpendicular bisector ... $y - \dfrac{5}{2} = 7 \left(x - \dfrac{5}{2} \right)$intersection of the two perpendicular bisectors is the circle center, (2, -1)distance between any point and the center is the radius ... $r = 5$

circle equation ...

$(x+1)^2 + (y-2)^2 = 5^2$
Well, well, well! Someone's been reading their Euclid! (Bow)

Nice job.

-Dan
 
  • #5
karush said:
well that was certainly very novel..

most of these examples throw you to the general equations and do a lot of gymnastics.

ok I assume that is a Desmos graph...

not desmos ... free graphing program for windows (maybe there is one for Macs, haven't looked to confirm)https://www.padowan.dk/download/
 
  • #6
I think I'm mostly interested in what ca be done with tikx.
Albeit with its limitations
 
  • #7
\(\displaystyle (-1-h)^2+(3-k)^2=(6-h)^2+(2-k)^2=(-2-h)^2+(-4-k)^2\)

\(\displaystyle (-1-h)^2-(6-h)^2+(3-k)^2-(2-k)^2=0\)

\(\displaystyle -7(5-2h)+(5-2k)=0\)

\(\displaystyle -35+14h+5-2k=0\)

\(\displaystyle -30+14h-2k=0\quad[1]\)

\(\displaystyle (-1-h)^2-(-2-h)^2+(3-k)^2-(-4-k)^2=0\)

\(\displaystyle (-3-2h)+7(-1-2k)=0\)

\(\displaystyle -10-2h-14k=0\quad[2]\)

\(\displaystyle [1]+7*[2]\implies k=-1\implies h=2\)

\(\displaystyle (x-2)^2+(y+1)^2=25\)
 
  • #8
so I quess there is no slam dunk one step solution :(
 

1. How do you find the center of a circle given three points?

To find the center of a circle given three points, you can use the circumcenter formula. This formula uses the coordinates of the three points to calculate the center point of the circle.

2. Can you use any three points to find the center of a circle?

Yes, you can use any three non-collinear points to find the center of a circle. This means that the three points cannot all lie on the same line.

3. What is the purpose of finding the center of a circle from three points?

Finding the center of a circle from three points is useful in many applications, such as geometry, engineering, and computer graphics. It allows you to accurately determine the properties of a circle, such as its radius and circumference.

4. Is there a simpler method to find the center of a circle from three points?

Yes, there is a simpler method called the "compass and straightedge construction" method. This involves drawing two perpendicular bisectors of the line segments formed by the three points, and the intersection of these bisectors will be the center of the circle.

5. Can the center of a circle be outside of the triangle formed by the three points?

No, the center of a circle must always lie within the triangle formed by the three points. This is because the three points are used to construct the circle, and the center is the point equidistant from each of these points.

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