Finding the Center of a Circle

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter OSUstudent
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Center Circle
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the center of a circle when only a portion of the circle is known, specifically when the diameter is given and a single point on the circumference is identified. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and potential applications of geometry.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a simple formula to determine the center of a circle based on a known diameter and a single point on the circumference.
  • Another participant suggests a geometric method involving drawing lines between two points on the circle and finding their bisectors to locate the center.
  • A later reply emphasizes the need for at least two distinct points on the arc to accurately find the center of the circle.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the sufficiency of information needed to find the center, with some suggesting geometric methods and others indicating that more points are necessary for a definitive solution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the mathematical steps required to derive a formula, nor does it clarify the implications of using a single point versus multiple points.

OSUstudent
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Hello!

I have an application where I need to find the center of a circle where I am having trouble coming up with a simple way to do this. The diameter of the circle is known and i want to be able to determine the location of it where only a portion of the circle is known. (see the image below) I will know the location of a single point anywhere in the red circumference could anyone help me with this?
1623225283571.png
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Draw the straight line between two points on the circle. Draw the line bisecting that straight line. Do the same with a second pair of points. The two bisectors intersect at the center of the circle.
 
Thank you for your reply! I am looking for a formula that i could use to calculate where the center of the circle is based on the known diameter and a single point that resides in the red area. Sorry i should have meant to say in the original post that i was looking for a simple formula.
 
Runner74 said:
Thank you for your reply! I am looking for a formula that i could use to calculate where the center of the circle is based on the known diameter and a single point that resides in the red area. Sorry i should have meant to say in the original post that i was looking for a simple formula.

You're going to need at least two distinct points on the red arc of the circle to find its center.
 

Similar threads

MHB What is the Center and Radius of a Circle?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
MHB Find the area of the shaded region
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
MHB Finding the Equation of a Tangent Circle with Center (3,5)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
MHB How Do You Find the Equation of a Line Through a Point and a Circle's Center?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
MHB The height of a section of overlapping circles.
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
MHB Equation of Circle in Standard Form
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
MHB How Do You Find the Equation of a Line Through a Point and a Circle's Center?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
MHB Finding the Equation of a Line through a Point and Circle Center?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
MHB Find the exact shaded area of the region in 4 overlapping circles
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Undergrad Fitting circles inside other circles
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
6K