Math  /  Geometry

QuestionThree non-collinear points (x1,y1),(x2,y2)\left(x_{1}, y_{1}\right),\left(x_{2}, y_{2}\right), and (x3,y3)\left(x_{3}, y_{3}\right) determine a circle because: - A. They are equidistant from the circle's center. - B. They form the radius of a circle. - C. They lie on the perpendicular bisectors of the triangle formed. - D. They define a parabola.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

1. We have three non-collinear points: (x1,y1),(x2,y2),(x3,y3)\left(x_{1}, y_{1}\right), \left(x_{2}, y_{2}\right), \left(x_{3}, y_{3}\right).
2. We need to determine which statement correctly explains why these points determine a circle.

STEP 2

1. Understand the geometric property of a circle related to points.
2. Analyze each option to determine which one correctly explains the property.
3. Conclude with the correct option.

STEP 3

Understand the geometric property of a circle related to points: - A circle is defined as the set of all points that are equidistant from a given point, called the center.

STEP 4

Analyze each option:
- **Option A**: They are equidistant from the circle's center. - This is a correct statement about points on a circle. All points on a circle are equidistant from the center.
- **Option B**: They form the radius of a circle. - This statement is incorrect. The radius is a line segment from the center to any point on the circle, not formed by three points.
- **Option C**: They lie on the perpendicular bisectors of the triangle formed. - This statement is related to the circumcircle of a triangle. The perpendicular bisectors of the sides of a triangle intersect at the circumcenter, which is equidistant from the vertices.
- **Option D**: They define a parabola. - This statement is incorrect. Three points do not define a parabola unless they are collinear and one is the vertex.

STEP 5

Conclude with the correct option: - The correct explanation for why three non-collinear points determine a circle is **Option C**. They lie on the perpendicular bisectors of the triangle formed, which intersect at the circumcenter of the circle.
The correct answer is:
C \boxed{\text{C}}

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