Circles

MODULE-IV
15 Co-ordinate
Geometry

CIRCLES
Notes

Notice the path in which the tip of the hand of a watch moves. (see Fig. 15.1)

12
11 1

10 2

9 3

8 4

7 5
6 Fig.15.2
Fig. 11.2
Fig.15.1
Fig. 11.1

Again, notice the curve traced out when a nail is fixed at a point and a thread of certain length
is tied to it in such a way that it can rotate about it, and on the other end of the thread a pencil
is tied. Then move the pencil around the fixed nail keeping the thread in a stretched position
(See Fig 15.2)
Certainly, the curves traced out in the above examples are of the same shape and this type of
curve is known as a circle.
The distance between the tip of the pencil and the point, where the nail is fixed is known as the
radius of the circle.
We shall discuss about the curve traced out in the above examples in more details.

OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to :
 derive and find the equation of a circle with a given centre and radius;
 state the conditions under which the general equation of second degree in two variables
represents a circle;
 derive and find the centre and radius of a circle whose equation is given in general form;
 find the equation of a circle passing through :
(i) three non-collinear points (ii) two given points and touching any of the axes;

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 Circles
MODULE-IV EXPECTED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
Co-ordinate
Geometry  Terms and concepts connected with circle.
 Distance between two points with given coordinates.
 Equation of a straight line in different forms.
Notes
15.1 DEFINITION OF THE CIRCLE
A circle is the locus of a point which moves in a plane in such a way that its distance from a fixed
point in the same plane remains constant. The fixed point is called the centre of the circle and the
constant distance is called the radius of the circle.

15.2 EQUATION OF A CIRCLE

Can we find a mathematical expression for a given circle?

Let us try to find the equation of a circle under various given conditions.

15.2.1 WHEN COORDINATES OF THE CENTRE AND RADIUS ARE GIVEN

Let C be the centre and a be they radius of the circle. Coordinates of the centre are given to be
(h, k), say.

Take any point P(x, y) on the circle and draw y

perpendiculars CM and PN on OX. Again, draw
CL perpendicular to PN. P(x,y)

We have (h,k)
C L
CL  MN  ON  OM  x  h
and PL  PN  LN  PN  CM  y  k

In the right angled triangle CLP , CL2 + PL2 = CP2

 ( x  h) 2  ( y  k ) 2  a 2 ...(1)
O
M N x
This is the required equation of the circle under given Fig. 11.3
Fig.15.3
conditions. This form of the circle is known as
standard form of the circle.
Conversely, if (x, y) is any point in the plane satisfying (1), then it is at a distance ‘a’ from (h, k).
So it is on the circle.
What happens when the
(i) circle passes through the origin?

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 Circles
(ii) circle does not pass through origin and the centre lies on the x-axis? MODULE-IV
Co-ordinate
(iii) circle passes through origin and the x-axis is a diameter? Geometry
(iv) centre of the circle is origin?
(v) circle touches the x-axis?
(vi) circle touches the y-axis? Notes
(vii) circle touches both the axes?
We shall try to find the answer of the above questions one by one.
(i) In this case, since (0, 0) satisfies (1), we get

h2  k 2  a 2

Hence the equation (1) reduces to x 2  y 2  2hx  2ky  0 ...(2)

(ii) In this case k = 0

Hence the equation (1) reduces to ( x  h) 2  y 2  a 2 ...(3)

y y

x' x x' x
C O O C

y' y'

Fig.15.4
Fig. 11.4

(iii) In this case k = 0 and h =  a (see Fig. 15.4)

Hence the equation (1) reduces to x 2  y 2  2ax  0 ...(4)

(iv) In this case h = 0 = k, Hence the equation (1) reduces to x 2  y 2  a 2 ...(5)

(v) In this case k = a (see Fig. 15.5)

Hence the equation (1) reduces to x 2  y 2  2hx  2ay  h 2  0 ...(6)

MATHEMATICS 347
 Circles
MODULE-IV
Co-ordinate y
Geometry

Notes C

x' x
O h
Fig.15.5
Fig. 11.5
y'

(vi) In this case h = a

Hence the equation (1) reduces to x 2  y 2  2ax  2ky  k 2  0 ...(7)

(vii) In this case h = k = a. (See Fig. 15.6)

Hence the equation (1) reduces to x 2  y 2  2ax  2ay  a 2  0 ...(8)

x' x
O
Fig. 11.6
Fig.15.6
y'

Example 15.1 Find the equation of the circle whose centre is (3,  4) and radius is 6.
Solution : Comparing the terms given in equation (1), we have
h = 3, k = – 4 and a = 6.

 ( x  3) 2  ( y  4) 2  6 2 or x 2  y 2  6 x  8 y  11  0

Example 15.2 Find the centre and radius of the circle given by ( x  1) 2  ( y  1) 2  4 .
Solution: Comparing the given equation with ( x  h) 2  ( y  k ) 2  a 2 we find that

348 MATHEMATICS
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MODULE-IV
– h = 1, –k = –1, a2 = 4
Co-ordinate
 h = –1, k = 1, a = 2. Geometry
So the given circle has its centre (–1,1) and radius 2.
15.3GENERAL EQUATION OF THE CIRCLE IN SECOND DEGREE IN
TWO VARIABLES Notes

The standard equation of a circle with centre (h, k) and radius r is given by

( x  h) 2  ( y  k ) 2  r 2 ... (1)

or x 2  y 2  2hx  2ky  h 2  k 2  r 2  0 ... (2)

This is of the form x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0.

x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 ... (3)

 ( x 2  2 gx  g 2 )  ( y 2  2 fy  f 2 )  g 2  f 2  c

2
 ( x  g ) 2  ( y  f )2   g2  f 2  c 
2

2
 x  ( g )   y  ( f ) 
2
  g2  f 2  c  ... (4)

 ( x  h) 2  ( y  k ) 2  r 2

where h   g , k   f , r  g2  f 2  c

This shows that the given equation represents a circle with centre (–g, –f) and radius
= g2  f 2  c

15.3.1 CONDITONS UNDER WHICH THE GENERAL EQUATION OF SECOND

DEGREE IN TWO VARIABLES REPRESENTS A CIRCLE

Let the equation be x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0

(i) It is a second degree equation in x, y in which coefficients of the terms involving

x2 and y2 are equal.
(ii) It contains no term involving xy
Note : In solving problems, we keep the coefficients of x2 and y2 unity.

Example 15.3 Find the centre and radius of the circle

45 x 2  45 y 2  60 x  36 y  19  0

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 Circles
MODULE-IV Solution : Given equation can be written on dividing by 45 as
Co-ordinate
Geometry 4 4 19
x2  y 2  x y 0
3 5 45
Comparing it with the equation, x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 we get

Notes 2 2 19
g   , f  and c 
3 5 45

2 2 41
Thus, the centre is  ,   and radius is g2  f 2 c 
3 5 15

Example 15.4 Find the equation of the circle which passes through the points (1, 0), (0, – 6)
and (3, 4).

Solution: Let the equation of the circle be, x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 ...(1)

Since the circle passes through three given points so they will satisfy the equation (1). Hence

1 2g  c  0  (2)
and 36  12 f  c  0  (3)
25  6 g  8 f  c  0  (4)

2 g  12 f  35
Subtracting (2) from (3) and (3) from (4), we have
and 6 g  20 f  11
71 47
Solving these equations for g and f, we get g   , f 
4 8
69
Substituting g in (2), we get c 
2
and substituting g, f and c in (1), the required equation of the circle is

4 x 2  4 y 2  142 x  47 y  138  0

Exmaple 15. 5 Find the equation of the circles which touches the axis of x and passes
through the points (1,–2) and (3, –4).
Solution : Since the circle touches the x-axis, put k = a in the standard form (See result 6) of
the equation of the circle, we have, x 2  y 2  2hx  2ay  h 2  0 ... (1)

This circle passes through the point (1, –2) h 2  2h  4a  5  0 ... (2)

Also, the circle passes through the point (3, – 4) h 2  6h  8a  25  0 ...(3)

 h 2  2h  15  0
Eliminationg ‘a’ from (2) and (3), we get
h  3 or h  5.
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 Circles

From (3) the corresponding values of a are – 2 and –10 respectively. On substituting the values
MODULE-IV
Co-ordinate
of h and a in (1) we get , x 2  y 2  6 x  4 y  9  0 ... (4) Geometry

and x 2  y 2  10 x  20 y  25  0 ... (5)

(4) and (5) represent the required equations.

Notes

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 15.1

1. Find the equation of the circle whose
(a) centre is (0, 0) and radius is 3. (b) centre is (– 2,3) and radius is 4.
2. Find the centre and radius of the circle

(a) x 2  y 2  3 x  y  6 (b) 4 x 2  4 y 2  2 x  3 y  6  0

3. Find the equation of the circle which passes through the points (0, 2) (2, 0) and (0, 0).
4. Find the equation of the circle which touches the y-axis and passes through the points
(–1,2) and (–2,1)
C

1A
+
%
LET US SUM UP

 Standard form of the circle

(x  h)2 + (y  k)2 = a2, Centre is (h, k) and radius is a

 The general form of the circle is x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0

Its centre: (–g, –f) and radius = g2  f 2  c

SUPPORTIVE WEB SITES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r1GQCxyMKI
www.purplemath.com/modules/circle2.htm
www.purplemath.com/modules/circle.htm

TERMINAL EXERCISE

1. Find the equation of a circle with centre (4,  6) and radius 7.

2. Find the centre and radius of the circle x 2  y 2  4 x  6 y  0
3. Find the equation of the circle passes through the point (1,0), (–1,0) and (0,1)
MATHEMATICS 351
 Circles
MODULE-IV
Co-ordinate
ANSWERS
Geometry
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 15.1

1. (a) x2  y 2  9
Notes
(b) x2  y 2  4x  6 y  3  0

 3  37
2. (a)   , 1 ;
 2  2

1 3  109
(b)  ,  ;
4 8 8

3. x2  y 2  2x  2 y  0

4. x2  y 2  2x  2 y 1  0
TERMINAL EXERCISE

1. x 2  y 2  8 x  12 y  3  0

2. Centre (  2, 3); Radius = 13

3. x 2  y 2  1.

352 MATHEMATICS