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You have previously been introduced to the general conic equation: Ax2 + By2 + Cx + Dy + F = 0. By varying the coefficients in this equation, you can define all conic sections, including circles.

Before you begin investigating the general equation, you can check out these pages that introduce some of the relations between the standard form and the coefficient F in the general equation.

Have you noticed that in the general circle equation, the coefficients of x2 and y2 are the always the same?

Use the action figure and questions below to explore why this must be true for any circle.