Centre of a circle [closed]











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I was wondering whether if given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle can I always determine the centre of the a circle. If not what scenarios would this not be applicable.










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closed as off-topic by user21820, amWhy, user302797, José Carlos Santos, Yves Daoust Nov 24 at 23:01


This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


  • "This question is missing context or other details: Please improve the question by providing additional context, which ideally includes your thoughts on the problem and any attempts you have made to solve it. This information helps others identify where you have difficulties and helps them write answers appropriate to your experience level." – user21820, amWhy, user302797, José Carlos Santos

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.









  • 2




    The three points have to be all distinct from each other, but I suppose you were assuming that anyway.
    – David K
    Nov 24 at 14:26






  • 2




    @DavidK And also not aligned.
    – gimusi
    Nov 24 at 14:27










  • Yes you are correct David K sorry about that.
    – odesinit
    Nov 24 at 14:27










  • I'm bit confused with aligned what does that mean in this context?
    – odesinit
    Nov 24 at 14:30










  • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
    – Jean-Claude Arbaut
    Nov 24 at 14:35















up vote
-1
down vote

favorite












I was wondering whether if given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle can I always determine the centre of the a circle. If not what scenarios would this not be applicable.










share|cite|improve this question















closed as off-topic by user21820, amWhy, user302797, José Carlos Santos, Yves Daoust Nov 24 at 23:01


This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


  • "This question is missing context or other details: Please improve the question by providing additional context, which ideally includes your thoughts on the problem and any attempts you have made to solve it. This information helps others identify where you have difficulties and helps them write answers appropriate to your experience level." – user21820, amWhy, user302797, José Carlos Santos

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.









  • 2




    The three points have to be all distinct from each other, but I suppose you were assuming that anyway.
    – David K
    Nov 24 at 14:26






  • 2




    @DavidK And also not aligned.
    – gimusi
    Nov 24 at 14:27










  • Yes you are correct David K sorry about that.
    – odesinit
    Nov 24 at 14:27










  • I'm bit confused with aligned what does that mean in this context?
    – odesinit
    Nov 24 at 14:30










  • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
    – Jean-Claude Arbaut
    Nov 24 at 14:35













up vote
-1
down vote

favorite









up vote
-1
down vote

favorite











I was wondering whether if given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle can I always determine the centre of the a circle. If not what scenarios would this not be applicable.










share|cite|improve this question















I was wondering whether if given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle can I always determine the centre of the a circle. If not what scenarios would this not be applicable.







geometry circle






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share|cite|improve this question













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edited Nov 24 at 14:28

























asked Nov 24 at 14:14









odesinit

346




346




closed as off-topic by user21820, amWhy, user302797, José Carlos Santos, Yves Daoust Nov 24 at 23:01


This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


  • "This question is missing context or other details: Please improve the question by providing additional context, which ideally includes your thoughts on the problem and any attempts you have made to solve it. This information helps others identify where you have difficulties and helps them write answers appropriate to your experience level." – user21820, amWhy, user302797, José Carlos Santos

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.




closed as off-topic by user21820, amWhy, user302797, José Carlos Santos, Yves Daoust Nov 24 at 23:01


This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


  • "This question is missing context or other details: Please improve the question by providing additional context, which ideally includes your thoughts on the problem and any attempts you have made to solve it. This information helps others identify where you have difficulties and helps them write answers appropriate to your experience level." – user21820, amWhy, user302797, José Carlos Santos

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.








  • 2




    The three points have to be all distinct from each other, but I suppose you were assuming that anyway.
    – David K
    Nov 24 at 14:26






  • 2




    @DavidK And also not aligned.
    – gimusi
    Nov 24 at 14:27










  • Yes you are correct David K sorry about that.
    – odesinit
    Nov 24 at 14:27










  • I'm bit confused with aligned what does that mean in this context?
    – odesinit
    Nov 24 at 14:30










  • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
    – Jean-Claude Arbaut
    Nov 24 at 14:35














  • 2




    The three points have to be all distinct from each other, but I suppose you were assuming that anyway.
    – David K
    Nov 24 at 14:26






  • 2




    @DavidK And also not aligned.
    – gimusi
    Nov 24 at 14:27










  • Yes you are correct David K sorry about that.
    – odesinit
    Nov 24 at 14:27










  • I'm bit confused with aligned what does that mean in this context?
    – odesinit
    Nov 24 at 14:30










  • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
    – Jean-Claude Arbaut
    Nov 24 at 14:35








2




2




The three points have to be all distinct from each other, but I suppose you were assuming that anyway.
– David K
Nov 24 at 14:26




The three points have to be all distinct from each other, but I suppose you were assuming that anyway.
– David K
Nov 24 at 14:26




2




2




@DavidK And also not aligned.
– gimusi
Nov 24 at 14:27




@DavidK And also not aligned.
– gimusi
Nov 24 at 14:27












Yes you are correct David K sorry about that.
– odesinit
Nov 24 at 14:27




Yes you are correct David K sorry about that.
– odesinit
Nov 24 at 14:27












I'm bit confused with aligned what does that mean in this context?
– odesinit
Nov 24 at 14:30




I'm bit confused with aligned what does that mean in this context?
– odesinit
Nov 24 at 14:30












en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
– Jean-Claude Arbaut
Nov 24 at 14:35




en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
– Jean-Claude Arbaut
Nov 24 at 14:35










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
8
down vote



accepted










Yes, if the three points are indeed on a circle (i.e. not aligned) and are distinct, you can always retrieve the center.





The center is the intersection of the bisectors of the points, in pairs. The bisector of two distinct points can always be constructed, and the bisectors can only be parallel if the points are aligned.






share|cite|improve this answer






























    up vote
    4
    down vote













    Two points $A$, $B$ on a circle determine the chord $AB$. The perpendicular bisector of $AB$ goes through the centre of the circle. Having a third point on the circle gives you another chord, say $AC$ or $BC$. The perpendicular bisector of this second chord also goes through the centre of the circle. It follows that the centre is the point of intersection of those two perpendicular bisectors.






    share|cite|improve this answer




























      up vote
      2
      down vote













      Yes of course, three (not aligned) points determine a circle and then we can always find its center.



      See for example




      • Equation of circle passing through 3 given points


      and once we have the equation in the form $x^2+y^2+ax+by+c=0$, we can determine the center completing the square and reducing to the form $(x-x_C)^2+(y-y_C)^2=R^2$.



      Refer also to the related




      • Get the equation of a circle when given 3 points






      share|cite|improve this answer



















      • 1




        IMO, this is only a restatement of the question. You should prove that the system of equations has always a unique solution.
        – Yves Daoust
        Nov 24 at 14:41






      • 1




        @YvesDaoust Euclid already proved that for me more that 2000 years ago :)
        – gimusi
        Nov 24 at 14:45










      • @YvesDaoust Note also that in the link I given there are many different methods which show how to solve the system.
        – gimusi
        Nov 24 at 15:08










      • @YvesDaoust By the same approaches we can generalize the result. Anyway since the question was on how to find the center, I was focused to give some hint on that and not for a general proof for a well known result by Euclidean geometry. I can ask if the asker is also interested in that proof.
        – gimusi
        Nov 24 at 15:23










      • @YvesDaoust Note that he is stating "given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle..." then the existence of the circle is out of the dicussion. That was my interpretation of the OP. I've just asked for a specific clarification about that to the asker.
        – gimusi
        Nov 24 at 15:27




















      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      8
      down vote



      accepted










      Yes, if the three points are indeed on a circle (i.e. not aligned) and are distinct, you can always retrieve the center.





      The center is the intersection of the bisectors of the points, in pairs. The bisector of two distinct points can always be constructed, and the bisectors can only be parallel if the points are aligned.






      share|cite|improve this answer



























        up vote
        8
        down vote



        accepted










        Yes, if the three points are indeed on a circle (i.e. not aligned) and are distinct, you can always retrieve the center.





        The center is the intersection of the bisectors of the points, in pairs. The bisector of two distinct points can always be constructed, and the bisectors can only be parallel if the points are aligned.






        share|cite|improve this answer

























          up vote
          8
          down vote



          accepted







          up vote
          8
          down vote



          accepted






          Yes, if the three points are indeed on a circle (i.e. not aligned) and are distinct, you can always retrieve the center.





          The center is the intersection of the bisectors of the points, in pairs. The bisector of two distinct points can always be constructed, and the bisectors can only be parallel if the points are aligned.






          share|cite|improve this answer














          Yes, if the three points are indeed on a circle (i.e. not aligned) and are distinct, you can always retrieve the center.





          The center is the intersection of the bisectors of the points, in pairs. The bisector of two distinct points can always be constructed, and the bisectors can only be parallel if the points are aligned.







          share|cite|improve this answer














          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer








          edited Nov 24 at 15:33

























          answered Nov 24 at 14:31









          Yves Daoust

          123k668218




          123k668218






















              up vote
              4
              down vote













              Two points $A$, $B$ on a circle determine the chord $AB$. The perpendicular bisector of $AB$ goes through the centre of the circle. Having a third point on the circle gives you another chord, say $AC$ or $BC$. The perpendicular bisector of this second chord also goes through the centre of the circle. It follows that the centre is the point of intersection of those two perpendicular bisectors.






              share|cite|improve this answer

























                up vote
                4
                down vote













                Two points $A$, $B$ on a circle determine the chord $AB$. The perpendicular bisector of $AB$ goes through the centre of the circle. Having a third point on the circle gives you another chord, say $AC$ or $BC$. The perpendicular bisector of this second chord also goes through the centre of the circle. It follows that the centre is the point of intersection of those two perpendicular bisectors.






                share|cite|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  4
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  4
                  down vote









                  Two points $A$, $B$ on a circle determine the chord $AB$. The perpendicular bisector of $AB$ goes through the centre of the circle. Having a third point on the circle gives you another chord, say $AC$ or $BC$. The perpendicular bisector of this second chord also goes through the centre of the circle. It follows that the centre is the point of intersection of those two perpendicular bisectors.






                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  Two points $A$, $B$ on a circle determine the chord $AB$. The perpendicular bisector of $AB$ goes through the centre of the circle. Having a third point on the circle gives you another chord, say $AC$ or $BC$. The perpendicular bisector of this second chord also goes through the centre of the circle. It follows that the centre is the point of intersection of those two perpendicular bisectors.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered Nov 24 at 14:27









                  the_fox

                  2,2791430




                  2,2791430






















                      up vote
                      2
                      down vote













                      Yes of course, three (not aligned) points determine a circle and then we can always find its center.



                      See for example




                      • Equation of circle passing through 3 given points


                      and once we have the equation in the form $x^2+y^2+ax+by+c=0$, we can determine the center completing the square and reducing to the form $(x-x_C)^2+(y-y_C)^2=R^2$.



                      Refer also to the related




                      • Get the equation of a circle when given 3 points






                      share|cite|improve this answer



















                      • 1




                        IMO, this is only a restatement of the question. You should prove that the system of equations has always a unique solution.
                        – Yves Daoust
                        Nov 24 at 14:41






                      • 1




                        @YvesDaoust Euclid already proved that for me more that 2000 years ago :)
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 14:45










                      • @YvesDaoust Note also that in the link I given there are many different methods which show how to solve the system.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:08










                      • @YvesDaoust By the same approaches we can generalize the result. Anyway since the question was on how to find the center, I was focused to give some hint on that and not for a general proof for a well known result by Euclidean geometry. I can ask if the asker is also interested in that proof.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:23










                      • @YvesDaoust Note that he is stating "given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle..." then the existence of the circle is out of the dicussion. That was my interpretation of the OP. I've just asked for a specific clarification about that to the asker.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:27

















                      up vote
                      2
                      down vote













                      Yes of course, three (not aligned) points determine a circle and then we can always find its center.



                      See for example




                      • Equation of circle passing through 3 given points


                      and once we have the equation in the form $x^2+y^2+ax+by+c=0$, we can determine the center completing the square and reducing to the form $(x-x_C)^2+(y-y_C)^2=R^2$.



                      Refer also to the related




                      • Get the equation of a circle when given 3 points






                      share|cite|improve this answer



















                      • 1




                        IMO, this is only a restatement of the question. You should prove that the system of equations has always a unique solution.
                        – Yves Daoust
                        Nov 24 at 14:41






                      • 1




                        @YvesDaoust Euclid already proved that for me more that 2000 years ago :)
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 14:45










                      • @YvesDaoust Note also that in the link I given there are many different methods which show how to solve the system.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:08










                      • @YvesDaoust By the same approaches we can generalize the result. Anyway since the question was on how to find the center, I was focused to give some hint on that and not for a general proof for a well known result by Euclidean geometry. I can ask if the asker is also interested in that proof.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:23










                      • @YvesDaoust Note that he is stating "given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle..." then the existence of the circle is out of the dicussion. That was my interpretation of the OP. I've just asked for a specific clarification about that to the asker.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:27















                      up vote
                      2
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      2
                      down vote









                      Yes of course, three (not aligned) points determine a circle and then we can always find its center.



                      See for example




                      • Equation of circle passing through 3 given points


                      and once we have the equation in the form $x^2+y^2+ax+by+c=0$, we can determine the center completing the square and reducing to the form $(x-x_C)^2+(y-y_C)^2=R^2$.



                      Refer also to the related




                      • Get the equation of a circle when given 3 points






                      share|cite|improve this answer














                      Yes of course, three (not aligned) points determine a circle and then we can always find its center.



                      See for example




                      • Equation of circle passing through 3 given points


                      and once we have the equation in the form $x^2+y^2+ax+by+c=0$, we can determine the center completing the square and reducing to the form $(x-x_C)^2+(y-y_C)^2=R^2$.



                      Refer also to the related




                      • Get the equation of a circle when given 3 points







                      share|cite|improve this answer














                      share|cite|improve this answer



                      share|cite|improve this answer








                      edited Nov 24 at 14:26

























                      answered Nov 24 at 14:21









                      gimusi

                      90.5k74495




                      90.5k74495








                      • 1




                        IMO, this is only a restatement of the question. You should prove that the system of equations has always a unique solution.
                        – Yves Daoust
                        Nov 24 at 14:41






                      • 1




                        @YvesDaoust Euclid already proved that for me more that 2000 years ago :)
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 14:45










                      • @YvesDaoust Note also that in the link I given there are many different methods which show how to solve the system.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:08










                      • @YvesDaoust By the same approaches we can generalize the result. Anyway since the question was on how to find the center, I was focused to give some hint on that and not for a general proof for a well known result by Euclidean geometry. I can ask if the asker is also interested in that proof.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:23










                      • @YvesDaoust Note that he is stating "given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle..." then the existence of the circle is out of the dicussion. That was my interpretation of the OP. I've just asked for a specific clarification about that to the asker.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:27
















                      • 1




                        IMO, this is only a restatement of the question. You should prove that the system of equations has always a unique solution.
                        – Yves Daoust
                        Nov 24 at 14:41






                      • 1




                        @YvesDaoust Euclid already proved that for me more that 2000 years ago :)
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 14:45










                      • @YvesDaoust Note also that in the link I given there are many different methods which show how to solve the system.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:08










                      • @YvesDaoust By the same approaches we can generalize the result. Anyway since the question was on how to find the center, I was focused to give some hint on that and not for a general proof for a well known result by Euclidean geometry. I can ask if the asker is also interested in that proof.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:23










                      • @YvesDaoust Note that he is stating "given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle..." then the existence of the circle is out of the dicussion. That was my interpretation of the OP. I've just asked for a specific clarification about that to the asker.
                        – gimusi
                        Nov 24 at 15:27










                      1




                      1




                      IMO, this is only a restatement of the question. You should prove that the system of equations has always a unique solution.
                      – Yves Daoust
                      Nov 24 at 14:41




                      IMO, this is only a restatement of the question. You should prove that the system of equations has always a unique solution.
                      – Yves Daoust
                      Nov 24 at 14:41




                      1




                      1




                      @YvesDaoust Euclid already proved that for me more that 2000 years ago :)
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 24 at 14:45




                      @YvesDaoust Euclid already proved that for me more that 2000 years ago :)
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 24 at 14:45












                      @YvesDaoust Note also that in the link I given there are many different methods which show how to solve the system.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 24 at 15:08




                      @YvesDaoust Note also that in the link I given there are many different methods which show how to solve the system.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 24 at 15:08












                      @YvesDaoust By the same approaches we can generalize the result. Anyway since the question was on how to find the center, I was focused to give some hint on that and not for a general proof for a well known result by Euclidean geometry. I can ask if the asker is also interested in that proof.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 24 at 15:23




                      @YvesDaoust By the same approaches we can generalize the result. Anyway since the question was on how to find the center, I was focused to give some hint on that and not for a general proof for a well known result by Euclidean geometry. I can ask if the asker is also interested in that proof.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 24 at 15:23












                      @YvesDaoust Note that he is stating "given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle..." then the existence of the circle is out of the dicussion. That was my interpretation of the OP. I've just asked for a specific clarification about that to the asker.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 24 at 15:27






                      @YvesDaoust Note that he is stating "given any three point ( all distinct from each other) on the circumference of circle..." then the existence of the circle is out of the dicussion. That was my interpretation of the OP. I've just asked for a specific clarification about that to the asker.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 24 at 15:27





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