What caused the wrong answer for determining the center and radius of Circle 2?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on determining the center and radius of a circle defined by the equation 3x² + 3y² + 5x - 4y = 1. The correct center is identified as (-5/6, 2/3) and the radius is calculated as sqrt(53)/6, correcting an earlier miscalculation that mistakenly used 1/4 instead of 1/3 in the equation. The participants emphasize the importance of understanding the procedure over merely obtaining the correct answer, highlighting the learning experience gained from solving such problems.

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Determine the center and radius of circle.

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Why not continue and find out?

Doing so will give you experience, and experience will allow you to answer these sorts of question for yourself in future situations.
 

3x^2 + 3y^2 + 5x - 4y = 1

3x^2 + 5x + 3y^2 - 4y = 1

x^2 + (5/3)x + y^2 -(4/3)y = 1/4

Half of (5/3) is (5/6). Then (5/6)^2 = (25/36).

Half of -(4/3) is -(2/3). Then (-2/3)^2 = (4/9).

We add (25/36) and (4/9) on both sides of the equation.

x^2 + (5/3)x + (25/36) + y^2 -(4/3)y + (4/9) = (1/4) + (25/36) + (4/9)

Factor left side and calculate the right side.

(x + 5/6)(x + 5/6) + (y - 2/3)(y - 2/3) = (25/18)

(x + 5/6)^2 + (y - 2/3)^2 = (25/18)

The center is (h, k) = (-5/6, 2/3).

Let r = radius

r^2 = (25/18)

sqrt{r^2} = sqrt{25/18}

r = [5•sqrt{2}]/6

Is this correct?
 
RTCNTC said:
3x^2 + 3y^2 + 5x - 4y = 1

3x^2 + 5x + 3y^2 - 4y = 1

x^2 + (5/3)x + y^2 -(4/3)y = 1/4
= 1/3, not 1/4.

Half of (5/3) is (5/6). Then (5/6)^2 = (25/36).

Half of -(4/3) is -(2/3). Then (-2/3)^2 = (4/9).

We add (25/36) and (4/9) on both sides of the equation.

x^2 + (5/3)x + (25/36) + y^2 -(4/3)y + (4/9) = (1/4) + (25/36) + (4/9)
Again, the right side should be 1/3+ 25/36+ 4/9. 1/3, not 1/4.

Factor left side and calculate the right side.

(x + 5/6)(x + 5/6) + (y - 2/3)(y - 2/3) = (25/18)

(x + 5/6)^2 + (y - 2/3)^2 = (25/18)
1/3+ 25/36+ 4/9= 12/36+ 25/36+ 16/36= 53/36
The center is (h, k) = (-5/6, 2/3).

Let r = radius

r^2 = (25/18)

sqrt{r^2} = sqrt{25/18}

r = [5•sqrt{2}]/6

Is this correct?
Not the radius. The radius is sqrt(53}/6.
 
On the right side, I should have 1/3, as you said, not 1/4. Simple computation error that led to the wrong answer. Overall, I understand the procedure which is more important.
 

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