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Find the radius of the circle (x^{2} + y^{2} – 8x – 2y + 1…

Find the radius of the circle (x^{2} + y^{2} – 8x – 2y + 1 = 0).

  • A.
    9
  • B.
    7
  • C.
    4
  • D.
    3
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation

Given the equation of the circle (x^{2} + y^{2} – 8x – 2y + 1 = 0).

The equation of a circle is given as ((x – a)^{2} + (y – b)^{2} = r^{2})

Expanding, we have (x^{2} – 2ax + a^{2} + y^{2} – 2by + b^{2} = r^{2} equiv x^{2} – 2ax + y^{2} – 2by = r^{2} – a^{2} – b^{2})

Comparing the RHS of the equation above with the equation rewritten as (x^{2} + y^{2} – 8x – 2y = -1), we have

(-2a = -8; -2b = -2 implies a = 4, b = 1)

(therefore r^{2} – 4^{2} – 1^{2} = -1 implies r^{2} = -1 + 16 + 1 = 16)

(r = sqrt{16} = 4)