The real numbers x and y satisfy
x^2 + y^2 - 8x + 6y + 23 = 0.
Find the largest possible value of x + y.
Given x2 + y2 – 8x + 6y + 23 = 0
Group together (x2 – 8x ) + (y2 + 6y ) + 23 = 0
(x2 – 8x ) + (y2 + 6y ) = – 23
Complete both squares and add the same
amount on the right as you add on the left.
(x2 – 8x + 16) + (y2 + 6y + 9) = – 23 + 16 + 9
(x – 4)2 + (y + 3)2 = 2
This draws a circle centered at (+4, –3) with a radius the sqrt(2)
We don't care about the center, all we care about is the radius.
By formula, the largest x+y of a circle is its radius times the sqrt(2).
So, the largest x+y is the sqrt(2) times the sqrt(2) x + y = sqrt(2) • sqrt(2)
largest x + y = 2
.