SOLUTION: Find the center of the circle with these three points: (-5,13),(2,6),(-12,6) I'm still unsure how to find the center with points please help.

Algebra ->  Circles -> SOLUTION: Find the center of the circle with these three points: (-5,13),(2,6),(-12,6) I'm still unsure how to find the center with points please help.      Log On


   

Question 376200: Find the center of the circle with these three points: (-5,13),(2,6),(-12,6)
I'm still unsure how to find the center with points please help.
Found 2 solutions by Fombitz, amoresroy:
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Two ways to do it.
First way, the computationally intensive way is to use the general equation of a circle, %28x-h%29%5E2%2B%28y-k%29%5E2=R%5E2
Then use each of the points to get an equation in terms of h,k, and R.
You'll get 3 equations in 3 unknowns.
.
.
The second way is to recognize the the two left and right points are 2R away from each other and the top point is R units up from the center.

.
.
.
R=7
(h,k)=(-5,6)
.
.
highlight%28%28x%2B5%29%5E2%2B%28y-6%29%5E2=49%29

Answer by amoresroy(361) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the center of the circle with these three points: (-5,13),(2,6),(-12,6)
I'm still unsure how to find the center with points please help.
Solve for (x,y) as center of the circle
x = (-12 +2)/2 = -5
From the graph it is evident that y = 6
The center of the circle is (-5,6)