Question

Find the coordinates of the circumcenter of triangle ABC with vertices A(1,4) B(1,2) and C(6,2)

Answer 1

Answer:

D. (3.5, 3)

Step-by-step explanation:

Just something simple

Answer 2

(3.5, 3) is the circumcenter of triangle ABC. The circumcenter of a triangle is the intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of each side. All three of these perpendicular bisectors will intersect at the same point. So you have a nice self check to make sure your math is correct. Now let's calculate the equation for these bisectors. Line segment AB: Slope (4-2)/(1-1) = 2/0 = infinity. This line segment is perfectly vertical. So the bisector will be perfectly horizontal, and will pass through ((1+1)/2, (4+2)/2) = (2/2, 6/2) = (1,3). So the equation for this perpendicular bisector is y = 3. Line segment BC (2-2)/(6-1) = 0/5 = 0 This line segment is perfectly horizontal. So the bisector will be perfectly vertical, and will pass through ((1+6)/2,(2+2)/2) = (7/2, 4/2) = (3.5, 2) So the equation for this perpendicular bisector is x=3.5 So those two bisectors will intersect at point (3.5,3) which is the circumcenter of triangle ABC. Now let's do a cross check to make sure that's correct. Line segment AC Slope = (4-2)/(1-6) = 2/-5 = -2/5 The perpendicular will have slope 5/2 = 2.5. So the equation is of the form y = 2.5*x + b And will pass through the point ((1+6)/2, (4+2)/2) = (7/2, 6/2) = (3.5, 3) Plug in those coordinates and calculate b. y = 2.5x + b 3 = 2.5*3.5 + b 3 = 8.75 + b -5.75 = b So the equation for the 3rd bisector is y = 2.5x - 5.75 Now let's check if the intersection with this line against the other 2 works. Determining intersection between bisector of AC and AB y = 2.5x - 5.75 y = 3 3 = 2.5x - 5.75 8.75 = 2.5x 3.5 = x And we get the correct value. Now to check AC and BC y = 2.5x - 5.75 x = 3.5 y = 2.5*3.5 - 5.75 y = 8.75 - 5.75 y = 3 And we still get the correct intersection.