x2 + y2 + 6x + 4y = 3 Get the x-terms next to each other. Get the y-terms next to each other. Skip a space after the x terms and after the y terms: x2 + 6x + y2 + 4y = 3 Complete the square out to the side or on scratch paper. 1. Multiply the coefficient of x by 1/2.2. Square what you get. 3. Add that to the space after the x-terms on the left and also add it to the right side. x2 + 6x + 9 + y2 + 4y = 3 + 9 1. Multiply the coefficient of y by 1/2. 2. Square what you get. 3. Add that to the space after the y-terms on the left and also add it to the right side. x2 + 6x + 9 + y2 + 4y + 4 = 3 + 9 + 4 Factor the first three terms on the left side. Factor the last three terms on the left side. Combine the numbers on the right side. (x + 3)(x + 3) + (y + 2)(y + 2) = 16 Notice that they factored as the same factor twice, so write them as squares: (x + 3)2 + (y + 2)2 = 16 Compare that to what you should have memorized. (x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2 where (h,k) is the center and r is the radius. Set corresponding things equal to each other and solve -h = +3 -k = +2 r2 = 16 h = -3 k = -2 r = √16 r = 4 Substitute for all letters except x and y Simplify: Center = (h,k) = (-3,-2), radius = r = 4 Edwin