What is the Center and Radius of a Circle?

In summary, part A asks if the center and radius of a circle can be determined. Part B asks for the coordinates of the points on the circle where it intersects the y-axis. If x equals 0 at the points of intersection, y must also equal 0.
  • #1
mathdad
1,283
1
A. Determine the center and radius of circle.

B. Also, find the y-coordinates of the points (if any) where the circle intersects the y-axis.

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  • #2
If the circle were to intersect the y-axis, then what would x be?
 
  • #3
Joppy said:
If the circle were to intersect the y-axis, then what would x be?

If the circle intersects the y-axis, the value of x is 0. True?
 
  • #4
RTCNTC said:
If the circle intersects the y-axis, the value of x is 0. True?

No. If the circle intersects the y-axis, the value of x is 0 at the point(s) of intersection.

We must be absolutely clear.
 
  • #5
Re: Center & Radius of Circle

Joppy said:
No. If the circle intersects the y-axis, the value of x is 0 at the point(s) of intersection.

We must be absolutely clear.

How is part B found?

- - - Updated - - -

Is my work for part A correct?
 
  • #6
Yes, part A is correct.

Part B asks you to find the coordinates of the points where the circle intersects the y-axis. Joppy led you to the conclusion that those points must have x= 0. Now put x= 0 in the equation of the circle to determine what y is.
 
  • #7
Part B

Let x = 0

x^2 + (y + 1)^2 = 20

(0)^2 + (y + 1)^2 = 20

(y + 1)^2 = 20

sqrt{(y + 1)^2} = sqrt{20}

y + 1 = 2•sqrt{5}

y = 2•sqrt{5} - 1

The y-coordinate is 2•sqrt{5} - 1.

Yes?

Is one the points of intersection for the circle
(0, 2•sqrt{5}-1)?
 
  • #8
At the point:

\(\displaystyle (y+1)^2=20\)

Your next step should be:

\(\displaystyle y+1=\pm\sqrt{20}=\pm2\sqrt{5}\)

Hence:

\(\displaystyle y=-1\pm2\sqrt{5}\)

And so the points of intersection of the given circle and the $y$-axis are:

\(\displaystyle \left(0,-1+2\sqrt{5}\right),\,\left(0,-1-2\sqrt{5}\right)\)

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  • #9
We should be able to convince ourselves that given the circle:

\(\displaystyle (x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2\)

We then know these points are on the circle:

\(\displaystyle (h+r,k),\,(h-r,k),\,(h,k+r),\,(h,k-r)\)
 
  • #10
MarkFL said:
We should be able to convince ourselves that given the circle:

\(\displaystyle (x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2\)

We then know these points are on the circle:

\(\displaystyle (h+r,k),\,(h-r,k),\,(h,k+r),\,(h,k-r)\)

Cool notes. Check your PM.
 

FAQ: What is the Center and Radius of a Circle?

What is the center of a circle?

The center of a circle is the point that is equidistant from all points on the circumference of the circle. It is often denoted by the letter "O" and is the point where all radii of the circle originate.

How is the center of a circle determined?

The center of a circle can be determined by finding the midpoint of any diameter of the circle. This can be done by measuring the distance from one end of the diameter to the other and then dividing it by 2.

What is the radius of a circle?

The radius of a circle is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on the circumference. It is represented by the letter "r" and is half the length of the diameter of the circle.

How is the radius of a circle calculated?

The radius of a circle can be calculated using the formula r = d/2, where "d" is the diameter of the circle. Alternatively, it can also be calculated using the formula r = sqrt(A/π), where "A" is the area of the circle and π is the mathematical constant pi.

What is the relationship between the center and radius of a circle?

The center and radius of a circle are closely related. The center is the point from which all radii of the circle originate, and the radius is the distance from the center to any point on the circumference. In other words, the radius is the measure of the distance from the center to any point on the circle's perimeter.

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