Which equation represents a circle that contains the point negative 5 comma negative 3 and has a center at negative 2 comma 1 ? Distance formula: square root of open paren x sub 2 minus x sub 1 close paren squared plus open paren y sub 2 minus y sub 1 close paren squared end root

A circle with center (h, k) has equation (x − h)² + (y − k)² = r². With center (−2, 1), this becomes (x + 2)² + (y − 1)² = r². The point (−5, −3) is 3 units left and 4 units below the center, so r² = 3² + 4² = 25. Therefore, the equation is (x + 2)² + (y − 1)² = 25, choice C.

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