How do you write an equation for the translation of x^2 + y^2 = 25 by 7 units left and 2 units down?

1 Answer
Oct 17, 2016

The equation of the translated circle is:
(x + 7)^2 + (y + 2)^2 = 25.

Explanation:

The standard form of a circle is
(x -h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2,
where r is the radius of the circle and (h, k) is the center of the circle.

In x^2 + y^2 = 25, the center is at (0, 0). When the circle is translated left 7 units, it means that the new center has h = -7. Translating the circle down 2 units means that the new center has k = -2. So, the translated circle has the equation

(x + 7)^2 + (y + 2)^2 = 25.