Question 98840
the first step in completing the square should be to make the coefficient of the squared term 1


in this case, the first step is to factor (reduce) if possible ... dividing by 3 gives x^2+y^2-2x+4y=0


completing the square gives x^2-2x+1+y^2+4y+4=5 ... (x-1)^2+(y+2)^2=5


if you FOIL (3x-3)^2, you don't get 3x^2-6x+9 ... similarly with (3y+6)^2