Circle eqauation - can ne1 double check my work

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the center and radius of a circle from its equation, specifically the equation 16x^2 + 16y^2 + 8x + 32y + 1 = 0. Participants are examining the steps taken to simplify the equation and are questioning the correctness of the derived values for the center and radius.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents their method for simplifying the circle equation and calculates the center as (-1/4, -1) and the radius as 1.
  • Another participant suggests rewriting the equation in a different form to clarify that the radius should actually be 1/4.
  • A participant expresses concern about their previous calculation, indicating a potential error in determining the radius.
  • Another participant points out a mistake in the algebraic manipulation, specifically regarding the addition of constants on both sides of the equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is disagreement regarding the correct value of the radius, with one participant asserting it is 1 while another claims it should be 1/4. The discussion remains unresolved as participants have not reached a consensus on the correct calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully clarified the implications of their algebraic manipulations, and there are unresolved steps in the simplification process that may affect the final results.

Agent_J
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Find the center and radius of the circle
16x^2 + 16y^2 + 8x + 32y + 1 = 0

So first i simplified the equation by taking out the 16
so i got:

16 (x^2 + 1/2x + y^2 + 2y) = -1
16 (x^2 + 1/2x + 1/16) + 16 (y^2 + 2y + 1) = -1 + 1 + 1
16 (x + 1/4)^2 + 16 (y + 1)^2 = 1

Center = (-1/4, -1)
Radius = 1

Are my calculations correct? Do I need to take out the 16 in my equation?
 
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I believe you should write it in the form (x + 1/4)^2 + (y + 1)^2 = 1/16 = (1/4)^2. Then you can see that the radius is 1/4.
 
uh oh, then I must have done something wrong because the answer for the Radius should be just 1 :frown:
 
16 (x^2 + 1/2x + 1/16) + 16 (y^2 + 2y + 1) = -1 + 1 + 1

On the left hand side you added 16 on the right hand side you added 1.
If you add 16 to both sides it will work out.
 

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