Choice C is correct. The graph of the equation (x -h)2 + (y -k)2 = r2 in the xy-plane is a circle with center (h, k) and a radius of length r. The radius of a circle is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on the circle. If a circle in the xy-plane intersects they-axis at exactly one point, then the perpendicular distance from the center of the circle to this point on they-axis must be equal to the length of the circle’s radius. It follows that the x-coordinate of the circle’s center must be equivalent to the length of the circle’s radius. In other words, if the graph of (x -h)2 + (y -k)2 = r2 is a circle that intersects the y-axis at exactly one point, then r = h must be true. The equation in choice C is (x -4)2 + (y -9)2 = 16 , or (x -4)2 + (y -9)2 = 42 . This equation is in the form (x -h)2 + (y -k)2 = r2, where h = 4, k = 9, and r = 4, and represents a circle in the xy-plane with center (4,9) and radius of length 4. Substituting 4 for r and 4 for h in the equation r = ︳h ︳yields 4 = ︳4 ︳, or 4 = 4, which is true. Therefore, the equation in choice C represents a circle in the xy-plane that intersects they-axis at exactly one point.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle that does not intersect they-axis at any point. Choice B is incorrect. This is an equation of a circle that intersects the x-axis, not they-axis, at exactly one point. Choice D is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle with the center located on they-axis and thus intersects they-axis at exactly two points, not exactly one point.