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If P= (-3,5) and Q= (1,9), find the equation of the circle that has segment PQ as a diameter

If P= (-3,5) and Q= (1,9), find the equation of the circle that has segment PQ as-example-1
User Ziwei
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1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

The equation of the circle is;

(x - [(-1))² + (y - [7])² = 8

Explanation:

The given coordinates of the points P and Q are;

P = (-3, 5) and Q = (1, 9)

To find the equation of the circle that has segment PQ as a diameter

The equation of a circle is (x - h)² + (y - k)² = r²

Where;

(h, k) = The coordinates of the center of the circle

r = The radius of the circle

Given that segment PQ is the diameter of the circle, we have;

The center of the circle, O = The midpoint of PQ

The coordinates of the midpoint of segment PQ, O = ((-3 + 1)/2, (5 + 9)/2) = (-1, 7)

∴ The coordinates of the center of the circle, O = The coordinates of the midpoint of segment PQ = (-1, 7)

Therefore;

h = -1, k = 7

From PQ = The diameter of the required circle, we also have;

The length of PQ = 2 × (The radius of the circle) = 2 × r

The length of segment PQ = √((1 - (-3))² + (9 - 5)²) = √32 = 4·√2

Therefore;

The length of PQ = 4·√2 = 2 × r

r = (4·√2)/2 = 2·√2

r = 2·√2

r² = (2·√2)² = 8

r² = 8

The equation of the circle is therefore;

(x - h)² + (y - k)² = r²

(x - (-1))² + (y - 7)² = 8.

User Wdanxna
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