Chapter 2: Problem 61
55–62 ? Find an equation of the circle that satisfies the given conditions. Center \((7,-3) ; \quad\) tangent to the \(x\) -axis
Short Answer
Expert verified
The circle's equation is \((x-7)^2 + (y+3)^2 = 9\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify Circle Equation
The general form of a circle's equation is \((x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2\) where \((h, k)\) is the center and \(r\) is the radius. Here, the center is given as \((7, -3)\).
02
Determine the Radius
Since the circle is tangent to the x-axis, the distance from the center \((7, -3)\) to the x-axis represents the radius. This distance is the absolute value of the y-coordinate of the center, \(|-3| = 3\).
03
Write the Specific Circle Equation
Substitute the center \((h, k) = (7, -3)\) and radius \(r = 3\) into the circle equation. This yields: \((x-7)^2 + (y+3)^2 = 3^2\).
04
Simplify the Equation
Calculate the square of the radius: \(3^2 = 9\). Therefore, the equation of the circle becomes \((x-7)^2 + (y+3)^2 = 9\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Radius of a Circle
The radius of a circle is a fundamental part of its geometry. It is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on its edge. This distance is constant for a given circle and determines its size. In mathematical terms, the radius, which we often denote by \(r\), plays a crucial role in the formula for the area and circumference of the circle.
- The radius is always positive.
- It is half of the diameter, which is the longest distance across the circle through its center.
- The formula for the circumference of a circle is \(2\pi r\).
- The formula for the area of a circle is \(\pi r^2\).
Center of a Circle
The center of a circle is defined as the point that is equidistant from any point on the circle's boundary. This point essentially acts as a reference from which all points on the circle are equidistant, and it is represented in the standard form of the circle's equation. The general equation of a circle is \((x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2\), where \((h, k)\) is the center.
- The center’s coordinates \((h, k)\) indicate how the circle is positioned on a coordinate plane.
- A circle centered at the origin has the equation \(x^2 + y^2 = r^2\).
- Any translation of the circle horizontally or vertically is reflected in the different values of \(h\) and \(k\).
Tangent to the X-Axis
A circle that is tangent to the x-axis has one of its boundaries just touching the axis at a single point. This specific condition offers a piece of valuable information about the circle. It tells us a relationship between the radius and the position of the center. For the circle to be tangent to the x-axis, the vertical distance from the circle’s center to the x-axis has to be exactly equal to the radius.
- The tangent point is the closest point on the circle to the x-axis.
- A circle tangent to the x-axis at \((h, k)\) will have the y-coordinate of its center equal to either \(r\) or \(-r\).
- This helps in quickly determining the radius if the center is known.