MHB Finding the Equation of a Circle Passing Through Three Given Points

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To find the equation of a circle passing through the points (-1,3), (6,2), and (-2,-4), the center is determined to be at (2,-1) with a radius of 5. This is derived by setting the distances from the center to each point equal and solving the resulting equations. The standard form of the circle's equation is (x-2)² + (y+1)² = 25. Discussion also includes attempts to visualize the points and circle using TikZ and mentions the use of perpendicular bisectors to find the center. The conversation reflects on the complexity of deriving the equation compared to simpler methods.
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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.
 
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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 ...

$(x-2)^2 + (y+1)^2 = 5^2$
 
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...
 
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
 
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/
 
I think I'm mostly interested in what ca be done with tikx.
Albeit with its limitations
 
$$(-1-h)^2+(3-k)^2=(6-h)^2+(2-k)^2=(-2-h)^2+(-4-k)^2$$

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

$$-7(5-2h)+(5-2k)=0$$

$$-35+14h+5-2k=0$$

$$-30+14h-2k=0\quad[1]$$

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

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

$$-10-2h-14k=0\quad[2]$$

$$[1]+7*[2]\implies k=-1\implies h=2$$

$$(x-2)^2+(y+1)^2=25$$
 
so I quess there is no slam dunk one step solution :(
 
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