Source: Extra Practice

Determine the equation of the radical axis of the two circles: S1:x2+y2+2x+3y−7=0S_1: x^2+y^2+2x+3y-7=0 S2:x2+y2−2x−y+1=0S_2: x^2+y^2-2x-y+1=0

Options

Option A is correct

x+y−2=0x+y-2=0

Option B

2x+y−3=02x+y-3=0

Option C

x+2y−4=0x+2y-4=0

Option D

2x+3y−6=02x+3y-6=0

Explanation

The radical axis of two circles S1=0S_1=0 and S2=0S_2=0 is given by S1−S2=0S_1 - S_2 = 0. Given S1:x2+y2+2x+3y−7=0S_1: x^2+y^2+2x+3y-7=0 and S2:x2+y2−2x−y+1=0S_2: x^2+y^2-2x-y+1=0. Subtracting S2S_2 from S1S_1: (x2+y2+2x+3y−7)−(x2+y2−2x−y+1)=0(x^2+y^2+2x+3y-7) - (x^2+y^2-2x-y+1) = 0. This simplifies to x2+y2+2x+3y−7−x2−y2+2x+y−1=0x^2+y^2+2x+3y-7 - x^2-y^2+2x+y-1 = 0. Combining terms results in (2x+2x)+(3y+y)+(−7−1)=0(2x+2x) + (3y+y) + (-7-1) = 0, which is 4x+4y−8=04x+4y-8=0. Dividing by 4, the radical axis is x+y−2=0x+y-2=0.