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Centered at the origin given its...

Give the equation of the circle centered at the origin and passing through the point (0, -5).

User Jonahb
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1 Answer

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Explanation:

the equation of a circle centered at the origin is

x² + y² = r²

r being the radius (the distance of the center to every point on the circle's arc).

so, we get a point on the arc : (0, -5).

what is its distance to the origin ?

the origin is (0, 0).

we see, both points have the same x coordinates. they are therefore on the same vertical line going through x=0.

that means there is no distance between them in x direction.

the only distance is in y direction : 0 to -5.

a distance is always positive (no matter in what direction).

so, the distance from 0 to -5 is : 5 units.

that means r = 5.

and our equation is

x² + y² = 5² = 25

User DaWiseguy
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