| 
 
 
 
Question 1181582:  Given three lines 3x + 2y -16 = 0 …eq. 1, 2x - y + 1 = 0 …eq. 2 and x - 4y + 4 = 0 …eq. 3, let A be the point of intersection of lines …eq. 1 and …eq. 2, B be the point of intersection of lines …eq. 2 and …eq. 3, and C be the point of intersection of lines …eq. 3 and …eq. 1. Find the coordinates of circumcenter K of triangle ABC.  
 Answer by CPhill(1987)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! Here's how to find the circumcenter of triangle ABC:
 
**1. Find the Coordinates of A:**
 
Solve equations 1 and 2 simultaneously:
 
*   3x + 2y = 16 
*   2x - y = -1  => y = 2x + 1
 
Substitute y in the first equation:
 
*   3x + 2(2x + 1) = 16 
*   3x + 4x + 2 = 16 
*   7x = 14 
*   x = 2
 
Substitute x = 2 back into y = 2x + 1:
 
*   y = 2(2) + 1 = 5
 
So, A = (2, 5)
 
**2. Find the Coordinates of B:**
 
Solve equations 2 and 3 simultaneously:
 
*   2x - y = -1 
*   x - 4y = -4 => x = 4y - 4
 
Substitute x in the second equation:
 
*   2(4y - 4) - y = -1 
*   8y - 8 - y = -1 
*   7y = 7 
*   y = 1
 
Substitute y = 1 back into x = 4y - 4:
 
*   x = 4(1) - 4 = 0
 
So, B = (0, 1)
 
**3. Find the Coordinates of C:**
 
Solve equations 1 and 3 simultaneously:
 
*   3x + 2y = 16 
*   x - 4y = -4 => x = 4y - 4
 
Substitute x in the first equation:
 
*   3(4y - 4) + 2y = 16 
*   12y - 12 + 2y = 16 
*   14y = 28 
*   y = 2
 
Substitute y = 2 back into x = 4y - 4:
 
*   x = 4(2) - 4 = 4
 
So, C = (4, 2)
 
**4. Find the Perpendicular Bisectors:**
 
The circumcenter K is the intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of the triangle. Let's find the equations of two of them.
 
*   **Perpendicular bisector of AB:** 
    *   Midpoint of AB = ((2+0)/2, (5+1)/2) = (1, 3) 
    *   Slope of AB = (5-1)/(2-0) = 2 
    *   Slope of the perpendicular bisector = -1/2 
    *   Equation: y - 3 = (-1/2)(x - 1)  =>  x + 2y = 7
 
*   **Perpendicular bisector of BC:** 
    *   Midpoint of BC = ((0+4)/2, (1+2)/2) = (2, 1.5) 
    *   Slope of BC = (2-1)/(4-0) = 1/4 
    *   Slope of the perpendicular bisector = -4 
    *   Equation: y - 1.5 = -4(x - 2) => 4x + y = 9.5
 
**5. Find the Intersection of the Perpendicular Bisectors:**
 
Solve the equations of the perpendicular bisectors simultaneously:
 
*   x + 2y = 7 
*   4x + y = 9.5
 
Multiply the second equation by 2:
 
*   x + 2y = 7 
*   8x + 2y = 19
 
Subtract the first equation from the second:
 
*   7x = 12 
*   x = 12/7
 
Substitute x back into x + 2y = 7:
 
*   12/7 + 2y = 7 
*   2y = 37/7 
*   y = 37/14
 
So, the circumcenter K = (12/7, 37/14) or approximately (1.71, 2.64) 
 
  | 
 
  
 
 |   
 
 |   
 |  |