The vertices of a triangle are the points of intersection of the line \(y = -x-1\) , the line \(x=2\) , and \(y = \frac{1}{5}x+\frac{13}{5}\) . Find an equation of the circle passing through all three vertices.
I'm sure there is an easier way to do this, but here is one way to get the answer....
The intersection point of y = -x - 1 and x = 2 is (2, -3)
The intersection point of y = -x - 1 and y = 1/5x + 13/5 is (-3, 2)
The intersection point of x = 2 and y = 1/5x + 13/5 is (2, 3)
equation of a circle: (x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2
Using the point (2, -3) we can make the equation: (2 - h)2 + (-3 - k)2 = r2
Using the point (-3, 2) we can make the equation: (-3 - h)2 + (2 - k)2 = r2
Using the point (2, 3) we can make the equation: (2 - h)2 + (3 - k)2 = r2
Set the first and third values of r2 equal to each other.
(2 - h)2 + (-3 - k)2 = (2 - h)2 + (3 - k)2
(-3 - k)2 = (3 - k)2
-3 - k = ±(3 - k)
-3 - k = 3 - k or -3 - k = -(3 - k)
not a solution -3 - k = -3 + k
k = 0
Use this value of k and set the first and second values of r2 equal to each other.
(2 - h)2 + (-3 - 0)2 = (-3 - h)2 + (2 - 0)2
(2 - h)2 + 9 = (-3 - h)2 + 4
(2 - h)2 + 5 = (-3 - h)2
(2 - h)2 - (-3 - h)2 = -5
(4 - 4h + h2) - (9 - 6h + h2) = -5
-5 + 2h = -5
2h = 0
h = 0
Now we can find r2 .
(2 - 0)2 + (-3 - 0)2 = r2
13 = r2
So the equation of the circle is...
x2 + y2 = 13
Here's a graph to check this: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/tcsq7scrno