Chapter 10: Problem 7
Find the center and radius of the circle described in the given equation. $$x^{2}+2 x+y^{2}=4$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Center: (-1, 0), Radius: \(\sqrt{5}\).
Step by step solution
01
Organize the Equation
Start with the given equation of the circle: \[ x^2 + 2x + y^2 = 4 \]Our goal is to transform this equation into the standard form of a circle, which is \((x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2\), where \((h, k)\) is the center and \(r\) is the radius.
02
Complete the Square for x-term
To complete the square for the \(x\)-terms, take the coefficient of \(x\), which is 2, divide by 2 and square it. So, \(\left(\frac{2}{2}\right)^2 = 1\).Add and subtract 1 inside the equation to complete the square:\[ x^2 + 2x + 1 - 1 + y^2 = 4 \]
03
Reorganize the Equation
Rewrite the equation as:\[ (x+1)^2 - 1 + y^2 = 4 \]Now add 1 on both sides of the equation to balance it:\[ (x+1)^2 + y^2 = 5 \]
04
Identify the Center and Radius
Compare the equation \((x+1)^2 + y^2 = 5\) with the standard form \((x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2\).- The center \((h, k)\) is \((-1, 0)\).- The radius \(r\) is \(\sqrt{5}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Completing the Square
Completing the square is a useful mathematical technique to transform a quadratic equation into a perfect square trinomial. This concept is vital in transforming the general form of a circle's equation to its standard form, making it more informative. If you have an equation like \(x^2 + 2x\), you can complete the square by:
- Identifying the coefficient of \(x\), which is 2 in this case.
- Halving the coefficient: \(\frac{2}{2} = 1\).
- Squaring the result: \(1^2 = 1\).
Standard Form of a Circle
The standard form of a circle's equation is derived to present its key features clearly. The equation \((x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2\) reveals the circle's center and radius at a glance:
- \( (h, k) \) - the coordinates representing the center of the circle.
- \( r \) - the radius of the circle.
Center and Radius of a Circle
The main goal of converting a circle's equation into standard form is to easily identify its center and radius. These components - the center \((h, k)\) and radius \(r\) - are pivotal for defining a circle's geometry:
- The center \((h, k)\) determines the position of the circle in the coordinate plane.
- The radius \(r\) describes the distance from the center to any point on the circle's circumference.