16Hit1600
Geometry and TrigonometryVery hardRadius from an equation in general form

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

The equation x² + y² − 10x + 4y + 13 = 0 represents a circle in the xy-plane. What is the radius of the circle?

  1. A. 4Correct
  2. B. 16
  3. C. √13
  4. D. 5

Answer: A. 4

Complete the square: (x − 5)² − 25 + (y + 2)² − 4 + 13 = 0, so (x − 5)² + (y + 2)² = 16. Radius = 4.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 16
16 is r², not r.
C. √13
√13 treats the constant 13 as r² without completing the square.
D. 5
5 is the x-coordinate of the centre.

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