How to find the intersections of a circle and a line?

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Casio1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Square
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the intersection points of the circle defined by the equation x² + y² + 6x - 8y + 20 = 0 and the line y = -2x - 2. By substituting the line equation into the circle equation, the resulting quadratic equation 5x² + 30x + 40 = 0 simplifies to (x + 2)(x + 4) = 0, yielding intersection points at (-2, 2) and (-4, 6). This method demonstrates the effective use of substitution to solve for intersection coordinates in analytic geometry.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quadratic equations and their factorizations
  • Familiarity with the concept of substitution in algebra
  • Basic knowledge of coordinate geometry, specifically circles and lines
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic expressions and equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of substitution in solving systems of equations
  • Learn about the properties of circles and their equations in the Cartesian plane
  • Explore quadratic equation solving techniques, including factoring and the quadratic formula
  • Investigate graphical methods for finding intersections of curves
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and anyone interested in mastering algebraic methods for solving geometric problems, particularly those involving intersections of lines and circles.

Casio1
Messages
86
Reaction score
0
I want to find the coordinates of any points at which the circle x^2 + y^2 + 6x - 8y + 20 = 0

I have an equation y = -2x - 2

I have tried the following but am struggling with the final understanding.

(x + 3)^2 + (y - 4)^2 = 5

(x + 3)^2 = x^2 + 6x +9

(y - 4)^2 = 4x^2 + 24x + 36

combining and cancelling gives

5x^2 + 30x + 39 = 0

I now require to find the factors, which I am struggling with, I am thinking

x^2 + 10x + 13

In my head I have these numbers running round, factors 3, 6 and 5. I know there is a method to working this out like 3 x 13 = 39, and 6 x 5 = 30 etc, but I just can't seem to grasp it?

Any help appreciated

Thanks(Wondering)
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Casio said:
I want to find the coordinates of any points at which the circle x^2 + y^2 + 6x - 8y + 20 = 0

I have an equation y = -2x - 2

I have tried the following but am struggling with the final understanding.

(x + 3)^2 + (y - 4)^2 = 5

(x + 3)^2 = x^2 + 6x +9

(y - 4)^2 = 4x^2 + 24x + 36

combining and cancelling gives

5x^2 + 30x + 39 = 0

I now require to find the factors, which I am struggling with, I am thinking

x^2 + 10x + 13

In my head I have these numbers running round, factors 3, 6 and 5. I know there is a method to working this out like 3 x 13 = 39, and 6 x 5 = 30 etc, but I just can't seem to grasp it?

Any help appreciated

Thanks(Wondering)

I'm a little unsure what you're trying to do. Are you trying to find the intersection of the circle with the straight line?
 
Hello, Casio!

I assume you want the intersections of the circle and the line . . .

\begin{array}{cc}x^2 + y^2 + 6x - 8y + 20 \:=\: 0 \\ y \:=\: -2x - 2 \end{array}
Why not substitute directly?

\begin{array}{cc}x^2 + (-2x-2)^2 + 6x - 8(-2x-2) + 20 \:=\:0 \\ x^2 + 4x^2 + 8x + 4 + 6x + 16x + 16 + 20 \:=\:0 \\ 5x^2 + 30x + 40 \:=\:0 \\ x^2 + 6x + 8 \:=\:0 \\ (x+2)(x+4) \:=\:0 \end{array}

\begin{Bmatrix}x = -2 \\ x = -4 \end{Bmatrix} . \Rightarrow . \begin{Bmatrix} y = 2 \\ y = 6 \end{Bmatrix}Intersections: .(-2,\,2),\;(-4,\,6)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K