Recent content by Xavier

Ah.. that's what happens when I work on this late at night. For some reason I figured it didn't need to be squared since I had already determined the radius, but it's clear now. That is quite a bit simplier manipulation Krab. I've got a second problem I can try this out on, since I don't...

Ok.. I've reworked this, and I'm just about where I was at. Here's what my book shows as the general form of the circle with the following points (same as before): Points: (0,0), (0,8), (6, 0) Book Answer: x^2+y^2-6x-8y=0 When I work this, I get this: (0-a)^2+(0-b)^2=r^2 a^2+b^2=r^2...

Ah.. I see.. I knew I had to set one equation equal to another and then reduce, but I didn't see the relationship between the three points. I'll crack open the book again when I get off work and try a few more of those problems. Thanks for the guidence!

Hmmm.. I can see how I can do it for this equation since (0-a)^2 = a^2, so then you just take the square root of both sides to solve for a. But if you have (for example) (1-a)^2 = 1-2a+a^2, you can't just solve for a can you? You'd be left with a^2-2a = -1+-(rest of equation)

Ok, so for the three points you get: (0-a)^2 + (0-b)^2 = r^2 (0-a)^2 + (8-b)^2 = r^2 (6-a)^2 + (0-b)^2 = r^2 But without knowing a & b, how do you solve for r?

I'm attempting to write the general form of a circle where I'm given three points, not necessary equally distant from each other: (0,0), (0,8), (6,0) I need to write the equation of the circle in general form. I've managed to get pretty close to what the answer in the book states, but I'm...

Thank you! Makes sense to me now. I know it seems basic, but I suppose this is where I have the most difficult time.. knowing where to use what to get the most simple answer. Thanks again for your help!

First I'd like to say that I'm getting back into college after several years out in the job market. Unfortunately, I need to complete several more upper division math courses before I can complete my CS degree. Before I go back and start taking my classes again, I've been trying to self-study...