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Ch. 2 - Graphs and Functions
Lial - College Algebra 13th Edition
Lial13th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136881063Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 47

Without graphing, determine whether each equation has a graph that is symmetric with respect to the x-axis, the y-axis, the origin, or none of these. See Examples 3 and 4. x2+y2=12

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Recall the tests for symmetry of a graph: - Symmetry about the x-axis: Replace \(y\) with \(-y\) in the equation and see if the equation remains unchanged. - Symmetry about the y-axis: Replace \(x\) with \(-x\) and check if the equation remains unchanged. - Symmetry about the origin: Replace both \(x\) with \(-x\) and \(y\) with \(-y\) and check if the equation remains unchanged.
Start with the given equation: \[x^2 + y^2 = 12\]
Test for symmetry about the x-axis by replacing \(y\) with \(-y\): \[x^2 + (-y)^2 = 12\] Simplify to get: \[x^2 + y^2 = 12\] Since the equation is unchanged, the graph is symmetric about the x-axis.
Test for symmetry about the y-axis by replacing \(x\) with \(-x\): \[(-x)^2 + y^2 = 12\] Simplify to get: \[x^2 + y^2 = 12\] Since the equation is unchanged, the graph is symmetric about the y-axis.
Test for symmetry about the origin by replacing \(x\) with \(-x\) and \(y\) with \(-y\): \[(-x)^2 + (-y)^2 = 12\] Simplify to get: \[x^2 + y^2 = 12\] Since the equation is unchanged, the graph is symmetric about the origin.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Symmetry with Respect to the x-axis

A graph is symmetric about the x-axis if replacing y with -y in the equation yields an equivalent equation. This means for every point (x, y) on the graph, the point (x, -y) is also on the graph. Testing this helps identify if the graph mirrors across the x-axis.
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Properties of Parabolas

Symmetry with Respect to the y-axis

A graph is symmetric about the y-axis if replacing x with -x in the equation results in the same equation. This implies that for every point (x, y), the point (-x, y) is also on the graph. Checking this substitution reveals if the graph mirrors across the y-axis.
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Properties of Parabolas

Symmetry with Respect to the Origin

A graph is symmetric about the origin if replacing both x with -x and y with -y produces an equivalent equation. This means for every point (x, y), the point (-x, -y) is also on the graph. This test determines if the graph has rotational symmetry of 180 degrees about the origin.
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Graph Hyperbolas NOT at the Origin