The earth is about 150 million kilometers from the sun. The orbit around the sun is not a perfect circle, but is approximately a circle. If the orbit of the earth around the sun were circular, what would be the equation if the origin of the coordinate system were placed at the sun?

Question

anonymous · Answer

The equation for a circle centered at the origin with radius r is:
$$x^2 + y^2 = r^2$$ Since the radius is 150 million kilometers, we can plug that in for r and we'll get:
$$x^2 + y^2 = (150 million)^2$$
$$x^2 + y^2 = 2.25 \times 10^{16}$$ Assuming you are graphing with kilometers as your units.

anonymous · Answer

thankk youu

anonymous · Answer

You're welcome, glad I could help.

anonymous · Answer

Here is your medal!  You were right and I was thinking that it would need to end with a fraction.  Thank you, lets work another on I will post it now.