What is the correct value of y for drawing non-overlapping circles?

For drawing non-overlapping circles, it is essential to ensure that the vertical spacing between consecutive circles is sufficient to prevent them from intersecting. The correct expression for y, which represents the vertical position of the circles, is derived from the relationship between the radius of the circles and their arrangement.

The value y = RADIUS + (2 * i * RADIUS) provides the correct placement. Here, "RADIUS" accounts for the starting point of the first circle's center, and the term (2 * i * RADIUS) ensures that each subsequent circle is placed with its center exactly double the radius away from the previous one. The factor of 2 is crucial because the distance from the center of one circle to its edge is RADIUS, and the distance from the edge of one circle to the edge of another circle below it is also RADIUS. Hence, adding these two together gives the total spacing needed to ensure there is no overlap.

This approach allows for the proper calculation of the y-coordinate for each circle by iterating through ‘i’, which represents the index or level of the circle, and thus ensures that all drawn circles will be positioned without overlapping.