How do you write the equation of the circle with diameter that has endpoints at (–1, –6) and (–3, –2).?

1 Answer
Jun 30, 2016

x2+y2+4x+8y=0

Explanation:

The center of the circle is the middle point of the diameter.

Then its coordinates are obtained by using

(x1+x22,y1+y22)

in this case:

(132;622)

(2;4)

The radius is the half of the diameter, that is obtained by calculating the distance

(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2

in this case:

(3+1)2+(2+6)2

4+16=20

To obtain teh equation of the circle you can substitute in the general equation x0=2,y0=4,r=20:

(the general equation is (xx0)2+(yy0)2=r2)

(x+2)2+(y+4)2=20

x2+4+4x+y2+16+8y20=0

x2+y2+4x+8y=0