How do you tell if an equation makes a circle?

$\begingroup$

For instance the equation, $$(x-3)^2+(y+4)^2=25$$ would be graphed as a circle. Is there a way to see that an equation creates a circle without graphing it? Is there a certain set of criteria it must fit or a generic base equation, or is it just random? Thank you.

$\endgroup$ 2

1 Answer

$\begingroup$

Take a general equation of a curve $ax^2+2hxy+by^2+2gx+2fy+c=0$If $abc+2fgh-af^2-bg^2-ch^2 \not=0$ ; $ab-h^2>0$ ; $a=b$ and $h=0$; We can say that $ax^2+2hxy+by^2+2gx+2fy+c=0$ is a circle.

Or else as stated in comments,from the distance formula we deduce that,the general form of a circle of radius $r$ centered at $(h,k)$ is$(x−h)^2+(y−k)^2=r^2$

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Sign up using Google Sign up using Facebook Sign up using Email and Password

Post as a guest

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

You Might Also Like