Determine what each equation represents: 1^° x^2-4y^2=0…
Determine what each equation represents: $1^\circ$ $x^2-4y^2=0$; $2^\circ$ $x^2+y^2+2x-4y+5=0$; $3^\circ$ $x^2+y^2-4x+6y+14=0$; $4^\circ$ $x^2+y^2-3x+3y-4=0$; $5^\circ$ $4x^2-9y^2-8x-36y-68=0$; $6^\circ$ $y^2-4y-4x+8=0$; $7^\circ$ $x^2-6x+9=0$.
Explanation of Method
Completing the square identifies seven curves, including degenerate and imaginary cases.
Step 1: $1^\circ$ Pair of lines
\[ (x-2y)(x+2y)=0\ \Longrightarrow\ y=\tfrac12x\ \text{ or }\ y=-\tfrac12x. \]
Step 2: $2^\circ$ One point
\[ (x+1)^2+(y-2)^2=0\ \Longrightarrow\ \text{only the point }(-1,2). \]
Step 3: $3^\circ$ Empty set
\[ (x-2)^2+(y+3)^2=-1\ \Longrightarrow\ \text{no real points (an “imaginary circle”).} \]
Step 4: $4^\circ$ Circle
\[ \left(x-\tfrac32\right)^2+\left(y+\tfrac32\right)^2=4+\tfrac94+\tfrac94=\tfrac{17}{2}. \]
\[\text{circle: centre }\left(\tfrac32,-\tfrac32\right),\quad r=\sqrt{\tfrac{17}{2}}=\frac{\sqrt{34}}{2}\approx2.92\]
Step 5: $5^\circ$ Hyperbola
\[ 4(x-1)^2-9(y+2)^2=68+4-36=36\ \Longrightarrow\ \frac{(x-1)^2}{9}-\frac{(y+2)^2}{4}=1. \]
Centre $(1,-2)$, $a=3$, $b=2$; asymptotes $y+2=\pm\tfrac23(x-1)$.
Step 6: $6^\circ$ Parabola
\[ (y-2)^2=4x-4=4(x-1). \]
Vertex $(1,2)$, $2p=4$, so $p=2$; focus $(2,2)$, directrix $x=0$.
Step 7: $7^\circ$ Double line
\[ (x-3)^2=0\ \Longrightarrow\ \text{the line }x=3\text{ counted twice.} \]
| Type | Key data | |
|---|---|---|
| $1^\circ$ | two intersecting lines | $y=\pm x/2$ |
| $2^\circ$ | point | $(-1,2)$ |
| $3^\circ$ | empty set | $r^2=-1$ |
| $4^\circ$ | circle | $\left(\tfrac32,-\tfrac32\right),\ r=\tfrac{\sqrt{34}}2$ |
| $5^\circ$ | hyperbola | $(1,-2),\ a=3,\ b=2$ |
| $6^\circ$ | parabola | vertex $(1,2),\ p=2$ |
| $7^\circ$ | double line | $x=3$ |
Result
\[\boxed{\,\text{circle: centre }\left(\tfrac32,-\tfrac32\right),\quad r=\sqrt{\tfrac{17}{2}}=\frac{\sqrt{34}}{2}\approx2.92\,}\]
Remark
Correction: $4+\tfrac94+\tfrac94=\tfrac{16+9+9}{4}=\tfrac{34}{4}=\tfrac{17}{2}$, not $\tfrac{25}{2}$. So $r=\tfrac{\sqrt{34}}2$, not $\tfrac{5}{\sqrt2}$.