Graphing Key Equations

Symmetry

If the graph contains the point (x, y), then must contain the point (x, -y). Remember that you are folding it over a horizontal line therefore the y value is changing (folding down).

If the graph contains the point (x, y), then it must also contain the point (-x, y). Remember you are folding it over a vertical line, therefore the x is going to change (folding one side over the other).

If the graph contains the point (x, y), then it must also contain the point (-x, -y). Remember, you are folding the graph both horizontally and vertically. This changes both the x and y values.

X-Axis: Replace y by –y in equation. (Will only be true if there is a y^2 somewhere in the equation.

Y-Axis: Replace x by –x in the equation.

Origin: Replace x by –x and y by –y.

Definition of Circle

Earth is represented on a map of the solar system so that its surface is the circle with equation x^2+y^2 +2x +4y -4091 = 0. What does this all mean?

How to find the equations of a circle.

Write an equation for the path of a communications satellite in a circular orbit 22,000 miles above the earth. (Assume that the radius of the earth is 4000 miles.)

How would this equation change if the orbit is 30,000 miles above the earth?