Center of a Circle

Pronunciation: /ˈsɛn.tər ʌv ə ˈsɜr.kəl/ Explain

All points on a circle are equidistant from the center of the circle. When we use a compass to draw a circle, the point of the compass is the center of the circle, and the stylus marks all points that are the same distance from the center.

Using a compass to draw a circle.
Figure 1 - Using a compass to draw a circle.

How to Draw the Center of a Circle

Click on the blue points and drag them to change the figure. Click on the point on the slider and drag it to see each step.

Manipulative 1 - How to Find the Center of a Circle Created with GeoGebra.
  1. Draw any chord of the circle. Label the endpoints of the chord as points A and B.
  2. Draw a circle with the center at point A, and length AB.
  3. Draw a circle with the center at point B, and length AB.
  4. Draw a point at each of the intersections of the two circles. Label the points of intersection C and D.
  5. Draw a line through points C and D.
  6. Draw a point at each of the intersections of line CD and the original circle. Label the points E and F.
  7. Draw a circle with center E and length EF.
  8. Draw a circle with center F and length EF.
  9. Draw a point at the intersections of the last two circles and label the points G and H.
  10. Draw a line throught points G and H.
  11. Draw a point at the intersection of lines EF and GH. This is the center of the circle.

References

  1. McAdams, David E.. All Math Words Dictionary, center of a circle. 2nd Classroom edition 20150108-4799968. pg 31. Life is a Story Problem LLC. January 8, 2015. Buy the book

More Information

  • McAdams, David E.. Circle. allmathwords.org. Life is a Story Problem LLC. 6/27/2018. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/c/circle.html.
  • wikiHow Staff. How to Find the Center of a Circle. www.wikihow.com. WikiHow - How to do Anything. 3/3/2019. https://www.wikihow.com/Find-the-Center-of-a-Circle.

Cite this article as:

McAdams, David E. Center of a Circle. 3/3/2019. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/c/centercircle.html.

Image Credits

Revision History

3/3/2019: Added how to draw the center of a circle. (McAdams, David E.)
12/21/2018: Reviewed and corrected IPA pronunication. (McAdams, David E.)
6/25/2018: Removed broken links, updated license, implemented new markup, updated GeoGebra apps. (McAdams, David E.)
1/9/2010: Added "References". (McAdams, David E.)
3/25/2008: Revised More Information to match current standard. (McAdams, David E.)
2/5/2008: Changed wording of definition. (McAdams, David E.)
7/30/2007: Initial version. (McAdams, David E.)

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