How do you find the equation of a circle center of (5,-2) and a radius of 2?

2 Answers
Apr 3, 2018

(x-5)^2+(y+2)^2=4

Explanation:

I'm sure there a better answer and explanation but from my little experience with geometry I know the following:
1. x^2+y^2=r^2 is the equation of a circle center of (0,0) and a radius of r.
2. to move the center you just need to move the points of x and y.

so a movement of 5 points in the positive direction of the x axis is translated to
(x-5)^2 instead of (x^2)
a movement of 2 in the negative direction of the y axis is translated to
(y+2)^2 instead of (y^2)

which then lead to the equation
(x-5)^2+(y+2)^2=2^2

Apr 3, 2018

(x-5)^2+(y+2)^2=4

Explanation:

The generic equation of a circle with center (h,k) and radius r is (x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2.

With a center of (5,-2) and a radius of 2, you have
(x-5)^2+(y-(-2)^2)=2^2
or
(x-5)^2+(y+2)^2=4.