Question 1028942:  Decide whether or not the equation has a circle as its graph. If it does, give the center 
and the radius. If it does not, describe the graph. 
x^2 + y^2 - 4x - 10y + 29 = 0 
 Answer by mathmate(429)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website!   
Question: 
Decide whether or not the equation has a circle as its graph. If it does, give the center 
and the radius. If it does not, describe the graph. 
x^2 + y^2 - 4x - 10y + 29 = 0 
  
Solution: 
This is a simpler version of question 1028943: 
https://www.algebra.com/tutors/faq.mpl?key=1028943;action=answer_question 
because the coefficients of x² and y² are already unity (=1). 
  
As explained in the above link, the equation represents a circle. 
  
Recall that the general equation of a circle is given by: 
(x-a)²+(y-b)²=r² ............ (1) 
The circle is centred at (a,b) with radius r. 
  
We'll need to complete squares of the given equation and compare with (1) to find the centre (a,b) and radius r. 
  
x^2 + y^2 - 4x - 10y + 29 = 0  [prepare for completing squares] 
=> 
x²-2(2x)  +  y²-2(5y) = -29  [ complete squares ] 
=> 
(x²-2(2x)+4) + (y²-2(5y)+5²) = -29+4+25 [factor left side, and simplify right-side] 
=> 
(x-2)²+(y-5)²=0.............(2)  [ equation of a circle ] 
=> 
Comparing (2) with equation (1), we can conclude: 
a=2, 
b=5, 
r=0 
That means that we have a circle centred at (2,5) with radius zero. 
This is a degenerate circle which degenerates to a point, but the equation still represents a circle, even though only a point is visible on the graph. 
 
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