Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Standard Form of a Circle
The standard form of a circle's equation is (x - h)² + (y - k)² = r², where (h, k) is the center and r is the radius. To identify a circle from a general equation, one must rearrange it into this form. This involves completing the square for both x and y terms, which reveals the center and radius directly.
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Completing the Square
Completing the square is a method used to transform a quadratic expression into a perfect square trinomial. This technique is essential for rewriting equations of circles and parabolas. By adding and subtracting the same value, one can create a squared term that simplifies the equation, making it easier to identify the geometric properties of the graph.
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Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square
Types of Graphs: Circle, Point, or Nonexistent
In the context of conic sections, the graph of an equation can represent a circle, a single point, or may not exist at all. A circle has a positive radius, a point occurs when the radius is zero, and nonexistence arises when the equation leads to a contradiction, such as a negative radius squared. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately describing the graph of the given equation.
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