What is the standard form of x^2 - 2x + y^2 + 4y = 11?

1 Answer
Dec 5, 2015

(x-1)^2+(y-(-2))^2=(sqrt(6))^2

Explanation:

Recognizing the given equation x^2-2x+y^2+4y=11
as the equation of a circle
and
knowing that the standard form of a circle with center (a,b) and radius r is
color(white)("XXX")(x-a)^2+(y-b)^2 = r^2

We need to complete the squares for each of x and y in the given form:
color(white)("XXX")(x^2-2x+1)-1 +(y^2+4y+4)-4 = 11

color(white)("XXX")(x-1)^2 + (y+2)^2 -5 = 11

color(white)("XXX")(x-1)^2+(y+2)^2 = 6

Normally I would consider the above "close enough" to standard form;
however to be completely accurate:
color(white)("XXX")(x-(1))^2+(y-(-2))^2= (sqrt(6))^2
with center at (1,-2) and radius sqrt(6)