How do you find the center and radius of the circle given x2+(y+2)2=4?

1 Answer
Nov 24, 2016

Please see the explanation.

Explanation:

The standard form for the equation of a circle is:

(xh)2+(yk)2=r2

where (x,y) is any point on the circle, (h,k) is the center, and r is the radius.

I suggest that you modify any given equation into this form and then report the easily observed values.

Change the + 2 to - -2:

x2+(y2)2=4

Insert a -0 in the x term:

(x0)2+(y2)2=4

Write the constant as a square:

(x0)2+(y2)2=22

It is easily observed that the center is (0,2) and the radius is 2.