ACT Math · Circles, arcs, and sectors

A circle has center (3, -2) and radius 5. Which point lies on the circle?

(3,-2)(6,2)
A circle has center (3,−2)(3, -2) and radius 55. Which point lies on the circle?

Answer and explanation

Answer: F: (6, 2)

A point is on the circle if its distance from the center (3,−2)(3,-2) is 55, that is, (x−3)2+(y+2)2=25(x-3)^2+(y+2)^2=25. For (6,2)(6,2): 32+42=9+16=253^2+4^2=9+16=25, so choice F works. Choice G, (6,−2)(6,-2), gives 9+0=99+0=9. Choice H, (3,5)(3,5), gives 0+49=490+49=49. Choice J, (0,−2)(0,-2), gives 9+0=99+0=9. Only choice F reaches 2525. Notice that the points in choices G and J are only 33 units from the center, and the point in choice H is 77 units away, so they are inside or outside the circle rather than on it.

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