Circle Equation: Solving for x^2 + y^2 + Ax + By = 0 w/y=4/3x

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SUMMARY

The equation of the circle L that passes through points O (0, 0) and P (6, 0) with its center on the line $$y=\frac{4}{3}x$$ is determined to be $$x^2+y^2-6x-8y=0$$. This conclusion is reached by substituting the known points into the standard circle equation $$x^2+y^2+Ax+By+C=0$$, resulting in C = 0 and B = -6. Further analysis using the center coordinates derived from the line equation confirms the radius and center, leading to the final equation in standard form.

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Monoxdifly
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A circle L is going through the point O (0, 0) and P (6, 0). The center is in the line $$y=\frac{4}{3}x$$. The equation of the circle L is ...
A. $$x^2+y^2+6x-8y=0$$
B. $$x^2+y^2-6x-8y=0$$
C. $$x^2+y^2-8x-6y=0$$
D. $$x^2+y^2+8x+6y=0$$
E. $$x^2+y^2-4x-3y=0$$

Since the equation of a circle is $$x^2+y^2+Ax+By+C=0$$, I substituted both known points to the equation and got C = 0 as well as B = -6, so the answer is obviously B. But then my student asked "What if all options have -6 as their B? How would we know the answer?". I think it has something to do with that $$y=\frac{4}{3}x$$, but how? Please give me some hints.
 
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I think I would consider the standard form for a circle:

$$(x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2$$

Using the given points on the circle, we then have:

$$h^2+k^2=r^2$$

$$(6-h)^2+k^2=r^2\implies 36-12h+h^2+k^2=r^2$$

Subtracting the former from the latter, we obtain

$$36-12h=0\implies h=3$$

Now, we also know:

$$k=\frac{4}{3}h\implies k=4$$

And so this then implies:

$$r^2=3^2+4^2=25$$

And so putting it all together, we have:

$$(x-3)^2+(y-4)^2=25$$

Or:

$$x^2-6x+y^2-8y=0$$
 
Wow, that's cool! Thank you!
 

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