Find the equation of the circle which passes through the points (2,−2)(2,-2), and (3,4)(3{,}4) and whose centre lies on the line x+y=2x+y=2.

Answer: The equation of the circle is (x−710)2+(y−1310)2=62950\left(x-\frac{7}{10}\right)^2 + \left(y-\frac{13}{10}\right)^2 = \frac{629}{50}.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: General Equation of a Circle

The general equation of a circle with center (h,k)(h,k) and radius rr is given by (x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2(x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2. We need to find the values of hh, kk, and rr to determine the equation of the circle.

Step 2: Formulate Equations from Given Points

Since the circle passes through the points (2,−2)(2,-2) and (3,4)(3{,}4), these points must satisfy the circle's equation. Substituting these coordinates into the general equation gives us two equations involving hh, kk, and rr.

Step 3: Equate the two expressions for r squared

Since both expressions are equal to r2r^2, we can set them equal to each other. This eliminates rr and gives us an equation solely in terms of hh and kk. Expanding and simplifying this equation will help us find a relationship between hh and kk.

Step 4: Simplify the equation for h and k

Expanding the squared terms and simplifying the equation from the previous step, we get a linear equation relating hh and kk. This equation, 2h+12k=172h + 12k = 17, represents the perpendicular bisector of the segment connecting the two given points.

Step 5: Use the condition that the center lies on the line

We are given that the center (h,k)(h,k) lies on the line x+y=2x+y=2. Substituting hh for xx and kk for yy gives us another linear equation: h+k=2h+k=2. Now we have a system of two linear equations with two variables, hh and kk.

Step 6: Solve the system of linear equations

We solve the system of equations: 2h+12k=172h + 12k = 17 and h+k=2h + k = 2. From the second equation, we express hh as 2−k2-k and substitute it into the first equation. This allows us to find k=1310k = \frac{13}{10}, and then h=710h = \frac{7}{10}. So, the center of the circle is (710,1310)(\frac{7}{10}, \frac{13}{10}).

Step 7: Calculate the radius and final equation

Now that we have the center (h,k)=(710,1310)(h,k) = (\frac{7}{10}, \frac{13}{10}), we can find r2r^2 by substituting these values and one of the given points (e.g., (2,−2)(2,-2)) into the circle equation. After calculating r2=62950r^2 = \frac{629}{50}, we write the final equation of the circle.

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