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1.2 Circle
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to :
a) Define a circle
b) Determine the equations of a circle with radius, r and centre, C at
(0,0) and (h,k)
c) Determine the centre and radius of a circle by completing the
squares
d) To find the equation a a circle
i. Passing through three points
ii. Passing through two points where the equation of the diameter given

e) To find the points of intersections of two circles

f) To solve application problems :
i. Find the equations on tangents and normals to a circles
ii. Find the length of a tangent from a point to a circle

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Circle
(h,k)

A circle is a set of all points in a plane

equidistant from a given fixed point
called
the centre.
A line segment determined by the
centre and
any point on the circle is called a

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(a) If r represents the radius of a circle and

y C(h,k) represents the centre, then

P(x,y)

C(h,k)

Phytagoras
Theorem
CQ2 + PQ2 =
PC2

The equation of the circle in standard form

is given by

x h

y k

r2

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(b) If r represents the radius of the circle and

(0,0) represents the centre at the origin, then
the equation of the circle is

x y r
2

Standard form of the

equation of a circle

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Example 1:
Determine the centre, radius and
draw the circle represented by the
following equation;

x 4

y 3 5
2

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Solution :
Since the equation is in the standard form, the
centre is at (4,-3) and the radius is 5
.

0
5

(4,-3)

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Example 2 :
Determine the equation of a circle whose centre
is at (-2,3) and whose radius is 4.
Solution :
Substitute h = -2 , k = 3 and r = 4 into the
standard form of the equation of a circle.

x h y k 2 r 2
2
2
2
x 2 y 3 4
2

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Example 3 :
Determine the equation of a circle having its centre at
(3,-1) and passing through the point (-1,2) .
Solution :
We determine the radius as the distance from the
centre of the circle to any point on the circle, thus :
So the equation is r

3 1 2 1 2 2

25 5

x 3

y 1 25
2

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General form of the equation of a circle

The equation of a circle with centre (h,k) and radius, r is :
Consider the equation x h 2 y k 2 r 2

x h 2 y k 2 r 2
2

standard form

2 xh h 2 y 2 2 yk k 2 r 2

x 2 2 xh y 2 2 yk h2 k 2 r 2 0
Where , the centre ( h,k ) = (- g,- f )
x 2 2 x ( g ) y 2 2 y ( f ) ( g ) 2 ( f )2 r 2 0

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x 2 2 x ( g ) y 2 2 y ( f ) ( g )2 ( f )2 r 2 0
x 2 2 xg y 2 2 yf r 2 g 2 f 2 0
Let c r g f
2

General form of the equation of a circle

x 2 y 2 2 gx 2 fy c 0
The radius, r =

g2 f 2 c

general form

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Example 4 :
Find the centre and radius of a circle
given the equation of circle is

x y 2x 6 y 6 0
2

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Solution:

x y 2x 6 y 6 0
2

x y 2x 6 y 6
2

By completing the
square;
2
2

( x 2 x 1) ( y 6 y 9) 6 1 9

Simplify
the result,
2
x 1 y 3 2 4

x 1 2 y 3 2

22

Centre: (1,3)
Radius = 2

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Alternative Method :

x2 y 2 2x 6 y 6 0
Comparing with ;

x y 2 gx 2 fy c 0
2

( h,k ) = ( - g,- f ) = (1,3)

r g2 f 2 c

1 2 3 2 6 2

and

2g = - 2 , g = -1
2f = - 6 , f = - 3
-g=1,-f=3
Centre: (1,3)
Radius = 2

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Circle passing
passing through
through three
three given
given
Circle
points
points
A

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Example 1
Find the equation of the circle passing
through the points (3,0) , (3,2) and (-1,2).

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Solution
Let

perpendicular
bisector

Q (3,2)

chord

R
(-1,2)
C
chord

perpendicular
bisector

P (3,0)
The perpendicular bisectors of the chords
PR and QR meet at the centre of the circle, C.

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First, find the equation of the perpendicular

bisectors of PR and QR.

2
1

4
2
1
1

2
1
m PR
2

20
m PR
1 3
m PR

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mid point of PR =

3 1 0 2
,
2
2

= (1,1)
Thus, the equation of the perpendicular
bisector of PR is
y - 1 = 2 (x -1)
y 2x + 1 = 0
... (1)

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22
0
m QR

0
1 3
4
1
m QR
m PR

a vertical
line
is undefined

mid point of QR =(1,2)

Thus, the equation of perpendicular bisector of QR
is
x=1
... (2)

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By solving these equations simultaneously ,

we will get the centre of the circle.
y 2x + 1 = 0

... (1)

x=1

... (2)

y 2(1) +1 = 0
y=1
The centre of the circle is (1,1).

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CP is the radius of the circle,

r (1 0) 2 (1 3) 2

Thus, the equation of the circle is

(x -1)2 + ( y 1)2 = 5

x2 + y2 - 2x - 2y - 3 = 0

OR

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An Alternative Method

The general equation of the circle is

x2+ y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
Substitute each point into the equation.

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At point (3,0),
(3)2 + 0 + 2g(3) + 2f(0) + c = 0
9 + 6g + c = 0 ... (1)
At point (3,2),
(3)2 + (2)2 + 2g(3) + 2f(2) + c = 0
13 + 6g + 4f + c = 0 ... (2)
At point (-1,2),
(-1)2 + (2)2 + 2g(-1) + 2f(2) + c = 0
5 - 2g + 4f + c = 0 ... (3)

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Then, solve these equations simultaneously to get the

values of g, f and c.
(2)-(1)
13 + 6g + 4f + c = 0 ... (2)
9 + 6g + 0f + c = 0 ... (1)
4 + 4f = 0
f = -1
(2)-(3)
13 + 6g + 4f + c = 0 ... (2)
5 - 2g + 4f + c = 0 ... (3)
8 + 8g = 0
g = -1

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Substitute g = -1 into (1)
9 + 6(-1) + c = 0
c = -3
We have c = -3, g = -1 and f = -1
Thus, the equation of the circle is
x2 + y2 2x 2y - 3 = 0

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Circle passing through two points with

the equation of the diameter given.
P
C (-g,-f)
Q

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Example 2
Find the equation of the circle passing
through the points (0,0) and (4,2) with its
diameter is x + y = 1.

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Solution

perpendicular
bisector

Let
P

chord

C
diameter

The perpendicular bisector of the chord

PQ intersects with the diameter at the
centre of the circle, C.

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First, find the equation of the perpendicular

bisector of PQ.

m PQ

20

40

1
m PQ
m PQ
=-2

midpoint of PQ = (2,1)
Thus, the equation of the perpendicular
bisector of PQ is
y - 1 = - 2 (x -2)
y + 2x - 5 = 0

...(1)

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Then, solve these equations simultaneously to get the

centre of the circle.

y +2x - 5 = 0 ...(1)
y + x -1 = 0 ...(2)

equation of the
diameter

(1)-(2)
x=4

y=-3

The centre of the circle is (4, - 3).

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The radius is the distance of the two points (0,0) and

(4, - 3).

r (4 0) 2 (3 0) 2

25 5

Thus, the equation of the circle is

(x - 4)2 + ( y + 3)2 = 25
x2 + y2 8x + 6y = 0

OR

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An Alternative Method
The general equation of the circle is
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
Substitute each point given into the equation.
At point (0,0),
c = 0 ... (1)
At point (4,2), 20 + 8g + 4f + c = 0 ... (2)
(2)-(1)
20 + 8g + 4f = 0
5 + 2g + f = 0 ... (3)

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Substitute (-g,-f) into the equation of the

diameter
x +y=1
-g -f=1
f = - g 1 ...(4)
Substitute (4) into (3)
5 + 2g + f = 0 ...(3)
5 + 2g + (-g 1) = 0
g=-4

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Substitute g = - 4 into (4)

f = - g - 1 ...(4)
= - (- 4) -1
=3
We have c = 0, g = - 4 and f = 3
Thus, the equation of the circle is
x2 + y2 8x + 6y = 0

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Example 3
Find the equation of the circle having AB as
its diameter where A (1,5) and B (-2,3).
Solution

the centre of the circle is

C

B the mid point of AB and

the radius is AB.

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centre =

3
1

2 2

1
,4
2

1
r ( 1 ( 2 ))2 ( 5 3 )2
2

1
13
2
The equation of the circle is
13
(x +) + ( y - 4) = 4
2

x2 + y2 + x 8y + 13 = 0

OR

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An Alternative Method
If P is any point on the
circle and AB is the
diameter, then
mAP mPB = -1
y 5 y 3

1
So,
x 1 x 2
(y - 5)(y - 3) = - (x - 1)(x +2)
y2 - 8y + 15 = - ( x2 + x - 2)

x2+y2+ x 8y +13 = 0

P(x,y)
B

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A tangent to a circle is a line that touches the circle
at a point.
A normal to a circle is a line that is perpendicular to
the tangent and passing through the centre.

C
normal

tangent

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Intersection of two circles

Consider two circles C1 and C2 whose equation are ;

x 2 y 2 2 g1 x 2 f1 y c1 0

.(1)

x 2 y 2 2 g2 x 2 f 2 y c2 0

.(2)

Any point on both circles must have

coordinates (x,y) which satisfies the above equations.

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Intersection of two circles

P
C2

C1
Q

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Example 4
Find the points of intersection of the
circles with equation ;

x y 2x 8 y 7 0
2

x y 8 x 2 y 13 0
2

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Solution
MATHEMATICS UNIT

x y 2x 8 y 7 0
2

x 2 y 2 8 x 2 y 13 0
(i) - (ii)

(i)
(ii)

6x 6 y 6 0

The two circles will meet at the line :

6x-6y -6 = 0 or y = x 1.
Substitute y = x 1 into the equation of the first circle to
find the points of intersection.

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x 2 x 1 2 x 8 x 1 7 0
2

2 x 2 12 x 16 0
x2 6x 8
x 2 x 4

0
0

x 2 or x 4
When

x 2 , y 1
x 4 , y 3

So the intersection points of the two circles

are (2,1) and (4,3).

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Theorem

If the equation of a circle is

x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0,
then the equation of a tangent to a circle
at the point P(x1,y1) is given by

xx1 + yy1+ g( x + x1) + f ( y + y1) + c = 0

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Example 5
Find the tangent and normal line to a circle
x2 + y2 - 6x 10y -82 = 0
at the point K(-1,-5).

Solution
x2 + y2 - 6x 10y - 82 = 0
We have g = -3, f = -5 and c = -82

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The equation of the tangent at K(-1,-5) is
xx1+ yy1+ g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) +c = 0
x(-1) + y(-5) + (-3)(x -1) +(-5)(y - 5) +(-82) = 0
-x - 5y - 3x + 3 - 5y + 25 82 = 0
- 4x - 10y 54 = 0
2x + 5y + 27 = 0

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2x + 5y + 27 = 0
The gradient of the normal is
1
5
mn
2
2
5

Thus, the equation of the

normal at the point P(-1,-5) is

5
y 5 ( x 1)
2
2y + 10 = 5x + 5
5x - 2y 5 = 0

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An Alternative Method
x2 + y2 - 6x 10y -82 = 0
We have g = -3 and f = -5
So, the centre = (-g,-f)
= (3,5)
The gradient of the normal is

5 (5) 10 5

4 2
3 (1)

C(-g,-f)
(-1,-5)

Thus, the equation of the normal is

5
y 5 (x 1)
2

2y 10 5x 5

5x 2y 5 0

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The gradient of the tangent is

1
2

5
5
2
Thus, the equation of the tangent is

2
y 5 (x 1)
5
5y 25 2x 2

2x 5y 27 0

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The Length of the Tangent to a Circle from a Fixed Point

N(a,b)
The length of the tangent from a
fixed point N(a,b) to a circle with
equation
x2 + y2 +2gx + 2fy +c = 0 is given by

d a 2 b 2 2ga 2fb c

M
C(-g,-f)

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Example 6
Find the length of the tangent from the point K(4,6) to the
circle x2 + y2 - 4x 2y - 6 = 0
Solution
We have a = 4, b = 6, g = -2, f =-1 and c = -6
The length of the tangent from K(4,6) to the circle is

d a b 2 ga 2 fb c
2

4 2 6 2 2(2)(4) 2(1)(6) (6)

18 3 2

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An Alternative Method
K(4,6 )
h

d
M

Given x2 + y2 - 4x 2y - 6 = 0
So, g = -2, f = -1 and c = -6
The centre = (2,1)

(2) 2 (1) 2 (6)

r g2 f 2 c

11

C(2,1)

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h (4 2) 2 (6 1) 2

29
By using Pythagoras Theorem, the length of the
tangent from a fixed point K(4,6) to the circle is

d h r

29 11
18 3 2

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Example 7
Show that the circles x2 + y2 10x 8y + 8 = 0 and
x2 + y2 8x 4y + 14 = 0 do not intersect each
other.
Solution

C1 : x 2 y 2 10 x 8 y 8 0

x 2 10 x y 2 8 y 8 0

( x 5)2 25 ( y 4)2 16 8 0
( x 5)2 ( y 4)2 33
The centre ,

P1 (5,4)

The radius ,

r1 33

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C 2 : x 2 y 2 8 x 4 y 14 0
x2 8 x y2 4 y 8 0
( x 4)2 16 ( y 2) 2 4 14 0

( x 4)2 ( y 2)2 6
The centre ,

P2 (4, 2)

The radius ,

r2 6

The distance between P1 and P2 :

P1 P2 (5 4)2 (4 2)2

1 4 5

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P1 P2 r2 5 6
2.2361 2.4495

4.6856 33
P1 P2 r2 33
Since
therefore these two circle intersect each other.

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To find the equation of a circle passing

through
i.
three points
ii.
two points and whose equation of
the diameter is given,
substitute each point given into the
general equation. Then, solve these
equations simultaneously.

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the equation of a tangent to a circle at the point

P(x1,y1) is given by
xx1 + yy1+ g( x + x1) + f ( y + y1) + c = 0
The length of the tangent from a fixed
point N(a,b) to a circle with equation
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 is given by

a 2 b 2 2ga 2fb c