Let O(x, y) be the coordinates of the centre of the circle. Points A(5, 1), B(-3, -7), and C(7, -1) are on the circle.
By distance formula,
d = (x2−x1)2+(y2−y1)2
As, OA = OB [∵ Both are radius of the same circle]
∴(x−5)2+(y−1)2=[x−(−3)]2+[y−(−7)]2⇒x2+25−10x+y2+1−2y=[x+3]2+[y+7]2⇒x2+y2−10x−2y+26=x2+9+6x+y2+49+14y⇒x2+y2−10x−2y+26=x2+y2+6x+14y+58
On squaring both sides,
⇒x2+y2−10x−2y+26=x2+y2+6x+14y+58⇒x2−x2+y2−y2+6x+10x+14y+2y=26−58⇒16x+16y=−32⇒16(x+y)=−32⇒x+y=16−32⇒x+y=−2⇒x=−2−y ………(1).
As, OC = OB [∵ Both are radius of the same circle]
∴(x−7)2+[y−(−1)]2=[x−(−3)]2+[y−(−7)]2⇒x2+49−14x+[y+1]2=[x+3]2+[y+7]2⇒x2+49−14x+y2+1+2y=x2+9+6x+y2+49+14y⇒x2+y2−14x+2y+50=x2+y2+6x+14y+58
On squaring both sides,
⇒x2+y2−14x+2y+50=x2+y2+6x+14y+58⇒x2+y2−x2−y2+6x+14x+14y−2y=50−58⇒20x+12y=−8⇒5x+3y=−2
Substituting value of x in above equation from equation 1 :
⇒ 5(-2 - y) + 3y = -2
⇒ -10 - 5y + 3y = -2
⇒ -2y = -2 + 10
⇒ -2y = 8
⇒ y = -4.
⇒ x = -2 - y = -2 - (-4) = -2 + 4 = 2.
C = (x, y) = (2, -4).
Hence, the coordinates of the centre of the circle are (2, -4).