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Circle Passing Through Three Points Explained Clearly

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How to Find the Equation of a Circle Passing Through Three Given Points

The circle is a plane figure for which all the points pass through a single plane with equal distance. As it is a plane surface, it's a solid representation of a sphere. The circle has different terminology like radius, diameter, arc, chord circumference, etc. All the terms that arise in the concept of circle, if the circle passes through three points, what is the equation etc. will be studied now. 


Circle Passing through 3 Points

If we want to draw a straight line, we need one starting point and one ending point. That means a line needs two points to draw. Similarly, if we are supposed to draw a circle, we need to have some points. But, unlike line segments, we have different ways to draw a circle. Even if a circle can be drawn using a single point because it doesn't have multiple planes, the starting point will also become the ending point.


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Similarly, we can draw a circle using two points. As we had run several circles from a single point, we can also draw several circles from two points. But the current task is to draw a circle passing through three points.


While considering a circle passing through three points, it is important to observe two cases. Because the points may be either collinear or non-collinear, the circle may pass through collinear points or pass through non-colonial points.


The Circle Passes through Collinear Points

Collinear points mean the points which lie on the same line or in the same direction. So by considering these collinear points, if we draw a circle, then the result will be that the circle touches only two points and the third Point May observe either inside of the circle or outside of the circle. In this case, the circle never touches all three points.


The Circle Passes through Three Non-collinear Points.

For this, we need to draw two lines that need to touch the three points. Here it is important to draw two bisectors for two line segments. Now let's take the center and then draw a circle with the center of the circle passing through 3 points. Constituting the equal distance from the center to all sides of the circle, it is known as the radius of a circle passing through 3 points.


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By considering the center and radius of the circle passing through 3 points, it is easy to find the equation of the circle passing through 3 points. Also, the circle passing through collinear points can be stated by proof and theorem.


Find the Equation of the Circle Passing through 3 Points 

It is very easy and simple to find the equation of a circle passing through 3 points. For this, we need three non-collier parts with which the circle passes through them. 

So let us consider three points initially.

P (\[x_{1}, y_{1}\]), Q (\[x_{2}, y_{2}\]), and R (\[x_{3}, y_{3}\]) are the three points. So, we need to get an equation of a circle passing through these 3 points.

We have a general equation using the two variables.

It is ,\[x^{2} + y^{2} + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0\]

Like the General equation, we need to write equations for three variables with which the circle has to pass through them. Then the obtained equations will be,

\[x{_{1}}^{2} + y{_{1}}^{2} + 2gx_{1} + 2fy_{1} + c = 0\]

\[x{_{2}}^{2} + y{_{2}}^{2} + 2gx_{2} + 2fy_{2} + c = 0\]

and \[x{_{3}}^{2} + y{_{3}}^{2} + 2gx_{3} + 2fy_{3} + c = 0\]

Now, we need to find out the values of g, f, c by solving the three equations of three variables. After getting those values, substitute them in the general equation. The general equation itself is the required equation of the circle passing through three given points. 


After getting all the values, we need to draw a circle from that circle. We can easily find the radius of the circle that passes through three points and the center of the circle passes through three points. It is also remembered that the radius should be equal from the center to any point of the circle.


Hence it is the process and explanation of finding the equation of a circle that passes through three points. Those three points should be made collinear because we had already gone through the concept of collinear and non-collinear points.


Creating a 3-Point Circle using a Compass and Straightedge

  • Join the points to form two lines

  • Create a perpendicular bisector of one line

  • Create a perpendicular bisector of another line

  • Where they cross is the center of the circle

  • Position the compass in the center, adjust the length to any point, and then draw your circle!


Some Important Key Points from Circles:

  • Circle: A collection of all points in a plane at a fixed distance from a fixed point. The fixed point is called the center and the fixed distance is called the radius.

  • Chord: Any part of a line that combines two points in a circle is called a chord. The chord that passes through the center of the circle is called the width.

  • Secant: A line that crosses a circle by two points is called a secant.

  • Tangent: A line that crosses a circle only in one place.

  • Width: The width is twice the radius. It is the longest voice in the circle that passes through the center. All diameters are the same length.

  • Circular: The circumference of a circle is called the circumference of the circle.

  • Sector: The area formed by the arc and the two circular radii, by connecting the center to the end of the arc, is called the Field.

  • Theorem 1: The tangent of any circle point is perpendicular to the radius through the contact area.

  • Theorem 2: The length of the tents drawn from the outside to the circle is equal.


Some Preparation Tips for Math Students Studying Circles

Statistics is not as challenging as it sounds. For many, it is a matter of dread. However, it is a lesson that will help you even after you leave school! It is also widely used in other subjects such as Physics and Chemistry. The great thing about Math is that, once you get it, it can be your most scoring lesson. Impossible, it is easier than it looks.


Practice as Much as You Can 

Statistics are a hands-on topic. You can’t just ‘read’ the chapters, you have to understand the concepts and keep practicing.


Start by Solving Examples

Do not start by solving complex problems. If you have just understood the chapter, solving difficult Math will give you the wrong answer and discourage you. It may make you hate Math even more. Instead, start simple. Solve examples in your textbook.


Clear All Your Doubts

It is easy to cling to doubts in Math. Do not let your doubts form, remove them as soon as possible. The sooner you resolve your doubts, the better off you will be in those articles. Ask your class teacher, friends, or online about the app.


Not All Formulas

When you see something enough, it is registered in your memory, even if it is unconscious. That is why some people choose to attach drawings or formulas to their study table or their room. Make flashcards of all the formulas in your textbook and decorate your room with them, at least until the exam ends!


Understand the Origin

You may think that the release is not so important from a test perspective, but it is important for understanding. You cannot always read the formula, you need to understand the mind behind it.

FAQs on Circle Passing Through Three Points Explained Clearly

1. What is a circle passing through three points?

A circle passing through three points is the unique circle that goes exactly through three non-collinear points in a plane. If the three points are not on the same straight line, there exists exactly one circle that contains all three points on its circumference. This circle is also called the circumcircle of the triangle formed by the three points.

2. Is it always possible to draw a circle through three points?

Yes, a unique circle can be drawn through three points if and only if the points are not collinear.

  • If the three points lie on a straight line (collinear), no circle can pass through all of them.
  • If they form a triangle, exactly one unique circle exists.
This is a fundamental property used in coordinate geometry and triangle geometry.

3. What is the formula of a circle passing through three points?

The general equation of a circle passing through three points is found using the standard form x² + y² + Dx + Ey + F = 0.

  • Substitute the coordinates of the three given points into the equation.
  • Solve the three resulting linear equations to find D, E, F.
  • Substitute these values back to get the required circle equation.
This method is commonly used in coordinate geometry problems.

4. How do you find the equation of a circle through three given points?

To find the equation of a circle through three points, substitute their coordinates into x² + y² + Dx + Ey + F = 0 and solve for the constants.

  • Step 1: Write the general circle equation.
  • Step 2: Substitute each point into the equation.
  • Step 3: Solve the three simultaneous equations.
  • Step 4: Write the final equation with calculated values.
This gives the required circle passing through the three points.

5. How do you find the center of a circle passing through three points?

The center of a circle passing through three points is the intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of any two sides of the triangle formed by the points.

  • Find the midpoint of two line segments.
  • Find the slope of each segment.
  • Write equations of their perpendicular bisectors.
  • Solve them simultaneously to get the center (h, k).
This point is called the circumcenter.

6. Can you give an example of a circle passing through three points?

Yes, for example, the circle passing through (1,0), (0,1), and (−1,0) has the equation x² + y² = 1.

  • These three points lie on the unit circle.
  • The center is (0,0).
  • The radius is 1.
This simple example shows how three non-collinear points determine a unique circle.

7. What is the determinant method to find a circle through three points?

The determinant method forms the circle equation using a 4×4 determinant set equal to zero. The equation is:

  • | x²+y² x y 1 |
  • | x₁²+y₁² x₁ y₁ 1 |
  • | x₂²+y₂² x₂ y₂ 1 |
  • | x₃²+y₃² x₃ y₃ 1 | = 0
This determinant expands to give the required equation of the circle passing through the three given points.

8. What is the circumcircle of a triangle?

The circumcircle of a triangle is the circle that passes through all three vertices of the triangle.

  • Its center is called the circumcenter.
  • The circumcenter is the intersection of perpendicular bisectors.
  • All three vertices are equidistant from the center.
This concept is directly related to finding a circle through three points.

9. How do you check if three points lie on the same circle?

Three points lie on the same circle if they satisfy the same circle equation and are non-collinear.

  • First, verify they are not collinear using the area or slope method.
  • Find the circle equation using the three points.
  • Check that all points satisfy the equation.
If the determinant for collinearity is zero, no circle exists.

10. What are common mistakes when finding a circle through three points?

The most common mistake is not checking whether the three points are collinear before solving.

  • Forgetting to include x² and y² terms in the general equation.
  • Making algebra errors while solving simultaneous equations.
  • Incorrectly finding perpendicular slopes.
Always verify that the final equation satisfies all three given points.