.
The lines are
y = 0 (1)
4x + 3y - 50 = 0 (2)
3x - 4y = 0 (3)
Lines y=0 (red), 4x+3y-50 = 0 (green), 3x-4y = 0 (blue)
The triangle is in QI. Its vertices are
P1 = (0,0) (the intersection points of lines (1) and (3) )
P2 = (12.5,0) (the intersection point of lines (1) and (2) )
P3 = (8,6) (the intersection point of lines (2) and (3) )
Let the point (p,q) be the center of the inscribed circle into the triangle.
Then the point (p,q) is EQUALLY REMOTED from the triangle sides.
So, I will write two equations. One equation will say that the point (p,q) is equally remoted from lines (1) and (2).
Seqond equation will say that the point (p,q) is equally remoted from lines (1) and (3).
The formula for the distance of the point (p,q) on a coordinate plane from the line given by its general equation Ax + By - C = 0 is
d = . (4)
So, my first equation is
= ,
or
= . (5)
The center of the triangle lies, obviously, in QI -- therefore, I can take off the modulus sign in the left part at "q"
(since q is positive in QI (!) )
The center of the triangle lies, obviously, BELOW line (2) -- therefore, 4p+3q-50 < 0 (!). Therefore, I can take off
the modulus sign in the right part, replacing it by the sign " - " (minus).
Then equation (5) takes the form
q = -(4p + 3q -50)/5,
or, in standard equivalent form
4p + 8q = 50. (6)
My second equation is
= ,
or
= . (7)
Again, similarly to what was said above, I can take off the modulus sign in the left part at "q"
(since q is positive in QI (!) )
The center of the triangle lies, obviously, BELOW line (3) -- therefore, 3p-4q > 0 (!). Therefore, I can take off
the modulus sign in the right part, replacing it by the sign " + " (plus).
Then equation (7) takes the form
q = (3p - 4q)/5,
or, in standard equivalent form
3p - 9q = 0. (8)
Now I have two equations (6) and (8) to find p and q.
4p + 8q = 50, (6)
3p - 9q = 0. (8)
Simplify them
2p + 4q = 25 (6')
p - 3q = 0 (8')
From (8'), express p = 3q and substitute it into (6'). You will get
2*(3q) + 4q = 25,
6q + 4q = 25
10q = 25
q = = 2.5.
Then p = 3q = 7.5.
The radius of the circle r is, obviously, equal to q: r = q = 2.5.
Therefore, the equation of the circle is
+ = , or
+ = . ANSWER
You can transform it further as you want.
The problem is solved.
--------------------
Regarding the basic equation (4), see the lessons
- The distance from a point to a straight line in a coordinate plane
- HOW TO calculate the distance from a point to a straight line in a coordinate plane
- Using formula for the distance from a point to a straight line in a plane to solve word problems
in this site.