A circle has a center that falls on the line y = 8/9x +4 y=89x+4 and passes through ( 4 ,1 )(4,1) and (3 ,7 )(3,7). What is the equation of the circle?

1 Answer
Mar 29, 2016

The equation of the circle is (x+63/78)^2+(y-128/39)^2=172309/6084(x+6378)2+(y12839)2=1723096084

Explanation:

So the center C of the circle falls on the line y=(8x+36)/9y=8x+369
If we find the equation of other line in which a radius of the circle stands, this two lines will meet at the circle's center because the circle's radii converge to its center.

Calling
A(4,1)A(4,1)
B(3,7)B(3,7)
The segment AB is a chord of the circle that is divided in the precise middle by a radius that is perpendicular to this chord.

M(3.5, 4)M(3.5,4)
Slope of the line in which segment AB stands and of a line perpendicular to it
k=(Delta y)/(Delta x)=(7-1)/(3-4)=6/(-1)=-6 => p=-1/k=1/6

Other equation in which a radius stands:
MC -> y-4=(1/6)(x-3.5) => y=(x-3.5)/6+4 => y=(x+20.5)/6

Finding the intersection of the two lines:
(8x+36)/9=(x+20.5)/6 => 48x+216=9x+184.5 => 39x=-31.5 => x=-63/78
-> y=(-63/78+41/2)/6=(-63+1599)/468=1536/468 => y=128/39
=> C(-63/78,128/39)

Finding the radius
r=sqrt((4+63/78)^2+(1-128/39)^2)=(sqrt((312+63)^2+4*(39-128)^2))/78=sqrt(140625+31684)/78=sqrt(172309)/78~=5.414

Then the equation of the circle is
(x-x_c)^2+(y-y_c)=r^2
(x+63/78)^2+(y-128/39)^2=172309/6084