# Math Help - Can this be solved??

1. ## Can this be solved??

x^(2)+y^(2)=9

I can't get pass y=sqrt(-x^2+9)
The system I am submitting answers to says that there is a positive and a negative square root, and that the answers must be numbers. I have to find two solutions to both x and y.
Could someone just point me in the right direction as to steps to solve this?
I have a test Teus and I am so afraid I will flunk, help
!

2. Take a look at here

3. Being that I am given no coordinates, that doesn't really help me. I guess the answer is an equation, but I do not do well with a ton of meaningless variables :/

4. Must I find a center first?

5. there is no "solving" here ... the equation $x^2 + y^2 = 9$ is a circle of radius 3 centered at the origin.

6. oh, answers were -3 and 3 for both x and y

7. Originally Posted by md56
oh, answers were -3 and 3 for both x and y
... that is only one of an infinite number of solutions.

8. To reinforce skeeter's point, consider polar coordinates, where x^2 + y^2 = r^2

then r^2 = 9 => r = 3

So any (x,y) Cartesian coordinate that is 3 units away from the origin is a solution.