If [tex]\( P = (-2, -1) \)[/tex] and [tex]\( Q = (2, 1) \)[/tex] are the endpoints of the diameter of a circle, find the equation of the circle.

[tex]\[ (x - 0)^2 + (y - [?])^2 = \][/tex]



Answer :

To find the equation of a circle when given the endpoints of its diameter, follow these steps:

1. Determine the center of the circle:
The center of the circle is the midpoint of the diameter. If [tex]\( P = (-2, -1) \)[/tex] and [tex]\( Q = (2, 1) \)[/tex] are the endpoints of the diameter, the midpoint [tex]\( M \)[/tex] is calculated as follows:

[tex]\[ \text{Midpoint} = \left( \frac{-2 + 2}{2}, \frac{-1 + 1}{2} \right) = (0, 0) \][/tex]

So, the center of the circle is at [tex]\( (0, 0) \)[/tex].

2. Calculate the radius of the circle:
The radius is half the length of the diameter. To find this, calculate the distance between [tex]\( P \)[/tex] and [tex]\( Q \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ \text{Distance} = \sqrt{(2 - (-2))^2 + (1 - (-1))^2} = \sqrt{(2 + 2)^2 + (1 + 1)^2} = \sqrt{4^2 + 2^2} = \sqrt{16 + 4} = \sqrt{20} = 2\sqrt{5} \][/tex]

Since this distance represents the diameter, the radius [tex]\( r \)[/tex] is:

[tex]\[ r = \frac{2\sqrt{5}}{2} = \sqrt{5} \][/tex]

3. Write the equation of the circle:
The general equation for a circle with center [tex]\( (h, k) \)[/tex] and radius [tex]\( r \)[/tex] is:

[tex]\[ (x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2 \][/tex]

Substituting the center [tex]\( (0, 0) \)[/tex] and radius [tex]\( \sqrt{5} \)[/tex] into the equation, we obtain:

[tex]\[ (x - 0)^2 + (y - 0)^2 = (\sqrt{5})^2 \][/tex]

Simplify this to get the final equation:

[tex]\[ x^2 + y^2 = 5 \][/tex]

Therefore, the equation of the circle is:

[tex]\[ (x - 0)^2 + (y - 0)^2 = 5 \][/tex]

[tex]\[ (x - 0)^2 + (y - 0)^2 = 5 \][/tex]

Other Questions