How do you write an equation with center is (4,-1) and solution point is (1,4)?

1 Answer
Dec 25, 2016

I am going to assume that you want the equation of a circle. Please see the explanation.

Explanation:

The standard Cartesian form for the equation of a circle is:

#(x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2" [1]"#

where x and y are any point, #(x, y)#, on the circle, h and k are the center point, #(h, k)#, and r is the radius.

Substitute 4 for h and -1 for k into equation [1]:

#(x - 4)^2 + (y - -1)^2 = r^2" [2]"#

To find the value of r, substitute 1 for x and 4 for y into equation [2], then solve for r:

#(1 - 4)^2 + (4 - -1)^2 = r^2#

#3^2 + 5^2 = r^2#

#r^2 = 36#

#r = 6#

Substitute 6 for r into equation [2]:

#(x - 4)^2 + (y - -1)^2 = 6^2" [3]"#

Equation [3] represents the desired circle.