Question

Find the equation for the circle with a diameter whose endpoints are (5,-3) and (2,1).

How to solve?

Answer 1

Explanation:

To write an equation for a circle, we need to find the center and the radius. We need to find the distance between the two endpoints to find the radius. To do that, use the distance formula:

d = √(2 - 5)² + (1 + 3)²

√(-3)² + (4)²

√9 + 16 = √25 = 5

If the diameter is 5, the radius is 2.5

Now we need to find the center/midpoint. Use the midpoint formula:

(5 + 2)/2, (-3 + 1)/2

7/2, -2/2

(3.5, -1)

Now that we have the center and the radius, we can make our equation. Remember that the equation of a circle is: (x - x of center)² + (y - y of center) = radius²

(x - 3.5)² + (y + 1)² = 6.25

Hope this helps