For what value of c will the circle with equation x^2 + 6x + y^2 - 14y + c = 0 have a radius of length 4?
The equation of a circle is (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2
x2 + 6x + y2 – 14y + c = 0
It is necessary to complete the squares,
and make c account for r2 equalling 42.
(x2 + 6x ) + (y2 – 14y ) + c = 0
(x2 + 6x ) + (y2 – 14y ) = – c
Must add same amount to both sides (x2 + 6x + 9) + (y2 – 14y + 49) = – c + 9 + 49
(x + 3)2 + (y – 7)2 = – c + 58
We want the right hand side to be 16,
so "– c" has to remove 42 from the 58. 58 – c = 16
– c = 16 – 58
– c = – 42
c = 42
.