Javier is drafting a circle on graph paper. Using the equation x2+y2−2x−12y=18 , complete the square to calculate where he would draw the center of the circle.

1 answer

To find the center of the circle represented by the equation \( x^2 + y^2 - 2x - 12y = 18 \), we need to complete the square for both \( x \) and \( y \).

  1. Rearranging the Equation: We start with the original equation: \[ x^2 + y^2 - 2x - 12y = 18 \] We can move the constant to the right side: \[ x^2 - 2x + y^2 - 12y = 18 \]

  2. Completing the Square for \( x \): Take the \( x \) terms: \[ x^2 - 2x \] To complete the square, take half of the coefficient of \( x \) (which is \(-2\)), square it, and add it: \[ \left(-\frac{2}{2}\right)^2 = 1 \] When you add 1, you need to also subtract 1 to keep the equation balanced. Thus: \[ x^2 - 2x = (x - 1)^2 - 1 \]

  3. Completing the Square for \( y \): Now take the \( y \) terms: \[ y^2 - 12y \] Again, take half of \(-12\) and square it: \[ \left(-\frac{12}{2}\right)^2 = 36 \] Similarly, add and subtract 36: \[ y^2 - 12y = (y - 6)^2 - 36 \]

  4. Substituting Back into the Equation: We can now rewrite the equation with completed squares: \[ (x - 1)^2 - 1 + (y - 6)^2 - 36 = 18 \] Combine the constants: \[ (x - 1)^2 + (y - 6)^2 - 37 = 18 \] \[ (x - 1)^2 + (y - 6)^2 = 18 + 37 \] \[ (x - 1)^2 + (y - 6)^2 = 55 \]

  5. Finding the Center: From the standard circle equation form \( (x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2 \), we can see:

    • The center \((h, k)\) is \((1, 6)\)
    • The radius \(r\) is \(\sqrt{55}\) (not necessary for the answer, but good to note)

Thus, Javier should draw the center of the circle at the point \((1, 6)\).