Different geometric shapes have their own distinct equations that aid in their graphing and solution. A circle's equation can have either a general or standard form. In its general form, ax2 + by2 + cx + dy + e = 0, the circle's equation is more suitable for further calculations, while in its standard form, (x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2, the equation contains easily identifiable graphing points like its center and radius. If you have either the circle's center coordinates and radius length or its equation in the general form, you have the necessary tools to write the circle's equation in its standard form, simplifying any later graphing.
Origin and Radius
Write down the standard form of the circle's equation (x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2.
Substitute h with the center's x-coordinate, k with its y-coordinate, and r with the circle's radius. For example, with an origin of (-2, 3) and a radius of 5, the equation becomes (x -(-2))^2 + (y - 3)^2 = 5^2, which is also (x + 2)^2 + (y - 3)^2 = 5^2, since subtracting a negative number has the same effect as adding a positive one.
Square the radius to finalize the equation. In the example, 5^2 becomes 25 and the equation becomes (x + 2)^2 + (y - 3)^2 = 25.
General Equation
Subtract the constant term from both sides from both sides of the equation. For example, subtracting -12 from each side of the equation x^2 + 4x + y^2 – 6y - 12 = 0 results in x^2 + 4x + y^2 – 6y = 12.
Find the coefficients attached to the single-degreed x- and y-variables. In this example, the coefficients are 4 and -6.
Halve the coefficients, then square the halves. In this example, half of 4 is 2, and half of -6 is -3. The square of 2 is 4 and the square of -3 is 9.
Add the squares separately to both sides of the equation. In this example, x^2 + 4x + y^2 – 6y = 12 becomes x^2 + 4x + y^2 – 6y + 4 + 9 = 12 + 4 + 9, which is also x^2 + 4x + 4 + y^2 – 6y + 9 = 25.
Place parentheses around the first three terms and the last three terms. In this example, the equation becomes (x^2 + 4x + 4) + (y^2 – 6y + 9) = 25.
Rewrite the expressions inside the parentheses as a single-degreed variable added to the respective coefficient half from Step 3, and add an exponential 2 behind each parentheses set to convert the equation to the standard form. Concluding this example, (x^2 + 4x + 4) + (y^2 – 6y + 9) = 25 becomes (x + 2)^2 + (y + (-3))^2 = 25, which is also (x + 2)^2 + (y - 3)^2 = 25.
References
About the Author
Chance E. Gartneer began writing professionally in 2008 working in conjunction with FEMA. He has the unofficial record for the most undergraduate hours at the University of Texas at Austin. When not working on his children's book masterpiece, he writes educational pieces focusing on early mathematics and ESL topics.
Photo Credits
Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images