[Math] Why is the locus of the centres of the circles passing through two points is the perpendicular bisector of the two points

analytic geometrygeometry

Why is the locus of the centres of the circles passing through two points is the perpendicular bisector of the two points?

Best Answer

Take the centre $O$ of a circle through two points $AB$. Then $OA=OB$ because they are radii of the same circle. Hence $OAB$ is isosceles, and the altitude from $O$ to point $P$ on $AB$ defines two congruent triangles $OPA$ and $OPB$. So $OP$ is the perpendicular bisector of $AB$.

Any point $O$ on the perpendicular bisector likewise defines two congruent triangles so that $OA=OB$.