How do you write the equation of the circle a center at (5, -1) and containing the point (4,-5)?

1 Answer
Apr 25, 2018

(x-5)^2 + (y+1)^2 =37(x5)2+(y+1)2=37

Explanation:

Find the distance to (4,-5) from (5,-1) first, which issqrt((5-4)^2+(-1-5)^2(54)2+(15)2 = sqrt(1 + 36)1+36 = sqrt3737 hence the radius is sqrt3737. Use the equation (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 = r^2(xa)2+(yb)2=r2 where a is the x co-ordinate of the centre of the circle and b is the y co-ordinate. r is the radius.