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Mathematics 15 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

What is the standard equation of a circle?

OpenStudy (michele_laino):

here is the standard equation of a circle: \[\Large {x^2} + {y^2} + ax + by + c = 0\] where, a, b, and c are real coefficient, which satisfy that condition: \[\Large \frac{{{a^2}}}{4} + \frac{{{b^2}}}{4} - c > 0\]

OpenStudy (michele_laino):

coefficients*

OpenStudy (anonymous):

I always thought the "standard form" of the equation of a circle was\[\left( x-a \right)^{2} + \left( y-b \right)^{2} = r ^{2}\]where the center of the circle is at (a, b) and the radius is r.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Haha, me too...

OpenStudy (freckles):

I think the first way mentioned by Michele is the general form and the way mentioned by osprey is the standard form. Though I'm not sure if these terms hold universal.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

@Michele_Laino 's equation results in an ellipse.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Ok, think I got the answer, thanks!

OpenStudy (michele_laino):

please, note that, my equation is not the equation of an ellipse @ospreytriple

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Let a=4, b=3, and c=1, for example. Graph it and see what you get, @Michele_Laino

OpenStudy (michele_laino):

that is a condition, on parameters a, b, and c

OpenStudy (anonymous):

???? If the equation truly represents a circle, then the values of a, b, and c shouldn't matter so long as they satisfy the condition you mentioned. It should always produce a circle. And it doesn't.

OpenStudy (freckles):

Michele_Laino has written general form for equation @ospreytriple \[x^2+y^2+ax+by+c=0 \\ x^2+ax+y^2+by=-c \\ (x^2+ax+(\frac{a}{2})^2)+(y^2+by+(\frac{b}{2})^2)=-c +(\frac{a}{2})^2+(\frac{b}{2})^2 \\ (x+\frac{a}{2})^2+(y+\frac{b}{2})^2 =\frac{a^2}{4}+\frac{b^2}{4}-c \\ \text{ center is } (\frac{-a}{2},\frac{-b}{2}) \\ \text{ and radius is } \sqrt{\frac{a^2}{4}+\frac{b^2}{4}-c} \\ \text{ this is a circle if } \frac{a^2}{4}+\frac{b^2}{4}-c>0 \]

OpenStudy (freckles):

general form for circle *

OpenStudy (freckles):

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=x%5E2%2By%5E2%2B4x%2B3y%2B1%3D0 the example you picked shows a circle

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Must be something wrong with my version of Autograph as it clearly shows an ellipse. If so, please accept my apologies. I do, however, stand by my "standard form" equation.

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