If the radius of the circle x2 + y2 + ax + (1 – a) y + 5 = 0 does not exceed 5, write the number of integral values a.

Given equation of circle is x2 + y2 + ax + (1 - a)y + 5 = 0.


We know that for a circle x2 + y2 + 2ax + 2by + c = 0


Centre = (- a, - b)


Radius =


We need to find the values of ‘a’ such that the radius of the given circle does not exceed 5.


We know that the radius of a circle cannot be less than 0.


Let ‘r’ be the radius of the given circle.


0≤r≤5




0≤2a2 - 2a - 19≤100


By trial and error method we get the set of values of ‘a’ as [ - 7.2, 8.2].


The integral values of ‘a’ are - 7, - 6, - 5, - 4, - 3, - 2, - 1,0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.


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