we know that
the equation of a sphere is
(x-h)²+(y-k)²+(z-l)²=r²
where (h,k,l) is the center and r is the radius
we have
x²+y²+z²
−2x−4y+8z+17=0
Group terms that contain the same variable, and move the
constant to the opposite side of the equation
(x²+2x)+(y²-4y)+(z²+8z)=-17
Complete
the square. Remember to balance the equation by adding the same constants
to each side
(x²+2x+1)+(y²-4y+4)+(z²+8z+16)=-17+1+4+16
(x²+2x+1)+(y²-4y+4)+(z²+8z+16)=4
Rewrite as perfect squares
(x+1)²+(y-2²)+(z+4)²=4
(x+1)²+(y-2²)+(z+4)²=2²
the center is the point (-1,2,-4) and the radius is 2 units
