conic sections puzzler

Hawki5

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May 6, 2010
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I am stumped on a conic sections problem.
I am fouling up the algebra somehow, so I'm not getting the same radius as the book I am working from. Here is the original problem:
x^2 + y^2 + 4y + 2x - 20 = 0

The book says I should get to the following step in the process of completing the square:
x^2 + y^2 - 4y + 2y - 4 = 0

But I just don't see where the -4y or the - 4 is coming from.

I get the following next step instead:
(x^2 + 2x + 1) + (y^2 - 4y + 4) = 20 + 1 + 4

This takes me to:
(x + 1)^2 + (y - 2)^2 = 25
then,
25 = r^2
so r = 5

But, I should be coming up with r = 3

Help!
 
x^2 + y^2 + 4y + 2x - 20 = 0


If the problem is written correctly, the book is incorrect. the radius is indeed 5, and after completing the square we get:

\(\displaystyle (x+1)^{2}+(y+2)^{2}=25\)

circle with Center at (-1,-2) and radius of 5
 
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