Graphing Circles Using the Personal Algebra Tutor®

Given Equation of Circle in Standard form:

- Find Center and Radius,
- Graph the Circle step-by-step.

Main Screen Setup:
Graphing Conics

  1. In Task Box, select
    Graph

  2. In Graph Options, select Conics using Equations

  3. Click Get Graph Data button
Takes you to next screen:
Equation Entry


Enter Equation Screen

  1. Click in Eq1 text box.
    Enter equation.

  2. Click on
    Solve button.


Graph Paper screen

  1. Click Plot It button
    to draw graph
    • Note: The individual graph steps are not shown here, but occur within the actual program execution.

  2. Click on the Explanation screen button
    see all steps and the explanation.


Explanation/Details

Results:

  • Graph of Circle

  • Center of Circle

  • Radius of Circle

  • Due to (x-3) term
    • Circle shifted right 3 units.

  • Due to (y+1) term
    • Circle shifted Down 1 unit.