GROUP FINAL LEARNING EVIDENCE in MMT 214B

Course Facilitator: Engr. Geraldine Abella, PhD

MODULE CONIC SECTIONS:

INTRODUCTION
This module highlights several topics on conic sections particularly about circles. This learning kit also
exhibits various real-life applications of circles just like in architecture, transportation, photography among
others. In this module, the learners will be able to appreciate circle, not just as a simple shape, but as a
radical part on how the world operates and continues to advance as time passes by.

At the end of this module, the learners will be able to…

• define circle;
• write equations of circles with centers on and not on the origin;
• graph equations of circles;
• solve problems involving circles; and
• appreciate the real-life applications of circles.

Learning Task #1: SMALL CIRCLE, BIG CIRCLE

Task: Create the smallest and the biggest circles possible using the materials listed below.
Materials: Graphing paper, 12 inch-yarn, a pencil or ballpen, scissors
Instruction: Using a one-whole sheet of graphing paper, a 12-inch yarn, your scissors to cut the yarn based on your
desired length, and of course your pencil or pen, strategize on how to draw 1 smallest (front page) and 1 biggest (back
page) possible circles that must not go beyond the edges of the graphing paper as its plane. Let the length of the cut
yarn be the radius of the circle. Present your individual outputs in class.

Based on the given pictures at the right. Guess the best

word that could describe them. Write your answer inside
the box below.

HINT: ___ ___ R ____ ____ E

ANSWER:

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Using your phone camera or any camera, take at least 5 pictures of the different representations of circles that can
be found in your locality. In the absence of camera, you may draw the images in any clean bond paper and put their
names accordingly.

What is circle?
A circle is a set of points in a plane that are all equidistant from a given point, called the center. Any
segment with endpoints at the center and a point on the circle is a radius of the circle (left hand side figure).
However, a circle can also be tackled in a wider sense. More so, a circle is formed when a plane perpendicular
to the axis intersects a double-napped cone (see right hand side figure). In this module, we’ll focus more
about circle as a conic section particularly its equations and graphs.

Circle as a plane figure Circle as a conic section

CIRCLE WITH ITS CENTER ONT HE ORIGIN (0,0)

If a circle with its center focused at the origin (0,0) and has radius 𝑟, then the standard equation
should be

𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐 .

Take note that then right-hand side 𝒓𝟐 should be a positive number, hence, 𝒓𝟐 > 𝟎. However, what will happen if
𝒓𝟐 = 𝟎 or 𝒓𝟐 < 𝟎?

To answer this, if 𝒓𝟐 = 𝟎 then the graph is just a single point and not a circle. Meanwhile, if 𝒓𝟐 < 𝟎 then
the graph does not exist since the radius r is imaginary. We do not consider negative values for such distances, for
instance, the radius of a circle.
To understand this concept even more, let’s try to have the following examples.
Example 1] Find the standard equation of the circle with center at the origin and has a radius of 10 units.
Solution: The circle is centered at (0,0) and radius (r) = 10 units

Equation: 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟐
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎
Thus, the equation of the circle is 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎

Example 2] A circle centered at the origin has its equation given by 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟐𝟖𝟖. How long is its radius?
What is its diameter?

Solution: The circle is centered at (0,0) and 𝑟 2 = 288, hence, we are looking for 𝑟
𝑟 2 = 288
√𝑟 2 = √288

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 𝑟 = √(144)(2)
𝑟 = 12√2

Diameter is a chord that connects the points of the circle which passes through the center. Hence, it is twice the
radius.

Diameter = 2 x radius = 2 x 12√2 = 24√2 units

Thus, the circle has a radius of 12√2 units long and a diameter of 24√2 units long.

Example 3] Sketch the graph of a circle with center at (0, 0) given that the circle is 5 inches away from its
center.

Solution: Center = (0, 0), radius (r) = 5 units

Steps:
Step 1: In the cartesian plane, plot the center of the circle, in this case, it’s on the origin (0,0)

Step 2: With the use of your compass, put the compass needle at the center (0,0). Make sure that the
distance between the needle and the tip of your ballpen/pencil is 5 inches.

5 inches

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Step 4: Rotate the compass with a full turn. See to it that it ends up from exactly the same point
where it started.

Learning Task #2
PART A: Complete the table with the desired data.

Number Equation Center Radius (in units)

1 (0,0) 9.5
2 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟑𝟐

3 (0,0) √45

4 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎

5 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟔𝟑

PART B: Solve the following problems. Show your process a whole sheet of pad paper.
Problem 1] Find the equation of the circle with center at the origin and has a radius of 12 units.
Problem 2] Find the equation of the circle with center at the origin and has a radius of
5 √2 units.

Problem 3] What is the equation of a unit circle centered at the origin? What is its diameter?
Problem 4] Solve for 𝒓𝟓 using the equation of the circle 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = √32 .
Problem 5] Sketch the graph of 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 81.

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CIRCLE WITH ITS CENTER NOT ON THE ORIGIN (0,0)
Suppose that (𝑥,𝑦) are the coordinates of a point on the circle. Moreover, the center of the circle with
radius 𝑟 is at (ℎ,𝑘) which implies that is is not on the origin. It follows that the value of 𝑟 is equal to the
distance between (𝑥,𝑦) and (ℎ,𝑘).

But, how can we solve for the radius of the circle in this case? Well, since we are dealing with the distance
between (x,y) and (h,k) , then we can use the distance formula. The distance formula is given by

d = √(x2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 .
Let the distance of the two points be equal to the radius of the circle r, x1 = ℎ , 𝑥2 = 𝑥, 𝑦1 = 𝑘, 𝑦2 = 𝑦. By
substitution, then, we have

d = √(x2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 .

𝑟 = √(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑘)2, square both sides

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𝑟 2 = (√(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 )

𝑟 2 = (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑘)2
(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐

Thus, the equation of the circle centered at (h,k) is given by (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 𝑟 2 . This equation is known
as the standard form of equation of a circle with center at (ℎ,𝑘) and radius 𝑟. This is also known as
the center-radius form.
This time, let’s try to put it into practice. Let’s solve!
Example 1] Find the equation of the circle with center at (3,1) and has a radius of √6 units.
Solution: center = (3, 1) with h = 3 and k = 1, radius (r) = √6 units
(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐
𝟐
(𝒙 − 𝟑)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝟏)𝟐 = (√6)

(𝒙 − 𝟑)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝟏)𝟐 = 𝟔

Thus, the equation of the circle is (𝒙 − 𝟑)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝟏)𝟐 = 𝟔.

Example 2] Find the equation of the circle with center at (-5,-7) and has a radius of 10 units.
Solution: center = (-5,-7) with h = -5 and k = -7, radius (r) = 10 units

(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐

(𝒙 − (−𝟓))𝟐 + (𝒚 − (−𝟕))𝟐 = 10𝟐

(𝒙 + 𝟓)𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟕)𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎

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Thus, the equation of the circle is (𝒙 + 𝟓)𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟕)𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎.
Note: For the graph of circles centered at (h.k), just follow the same steps in graphing a circle with its center
on the origin.

Example 3] Find the equation of the circle with center at (0,−5) and has a radius of √10 units.
Solution: center = (0, -5) with h = 0 and k = -5, radius (r) = √10 units
(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐
𝟐
(𝒙 − 𝟎)𝟐 + (𝒚 − (−𝟓))𝟐 = (√10)

𝒙𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟓)𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎

Thus, the equation of the circle is 𝒙𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟓)𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎.

Example 4] Find the center and the radius of the circle whose equation is (𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎)𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟖)𝟐 = 𝟒𝟗
Solution: From the standard equation (𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐 , then it would now be easy for us to determine h,
k, and r.

(𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎)𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟖)𝟐 = 𝟒𝟗

(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐

(𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎)𝟐 + (𝒚 − (−𝟖))𝟐 = 𝟕𝟐
h = 10, k = -8, r = 7
Thus, the center of the circle is (10, -8) and its radius is 7 units long.

Example 5] Find the center and radius of the circle whose equation is (𝒙 + 𝟏)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝟓)𝟐 = 𝟐𝟎.
Solution: From the standard equation (𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐 , then we have

(𝒙 + 𝟏)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝟓)𝟐 = 𝟐𝟎
(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐

(𝒙 − (−𝟏))𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝟓)𝟐 = 𝟐𝟎
h = -1, k = 5
and

𝒓𝟐 = 𝟐𝟎

√𝑟 2 = √20

𝐫 = √4 𝑥 5

𝐫 = 2√ 5

Thus, the center of the circle is (-1, 5) and its radius is 2√ 5 units long.

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EQUATIONS OF CIRCLES IN GENERAL FORM
Equations of circles can also be written in general form
𝑨𝒙𝟐 + 𝑩𝒚𝟐 + 𝑪𝒙 + 𝑫𝒚 + 𝑬 = 𝟎

where the numerical coefficients are real numbers and 𝐴 = 𝐵. Moreover, both 𝐴 and 𝐵 cannot be zero at the
same time.
Example 1] Express (𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎)𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟖)𝟐 = 𝟒𝟗 in general form.

Solution: Expand the equation (𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎)𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟖)𝟐 = 𝟒𝟗

(𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎)𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟖)𝟐 = 𝟒𝟗

𝒙𝟐 − [(𝒙)(𝟏𝟎)(𝟐)] + (−𝟏𝟎)𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + [(𝒚)(𝟖)(𝟐)] + 𝟖𝟐 = 𝟒𝟗

𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟎𝟎 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟏𝟔𝒚 + 𝟔𝟒 = 𝟒𝟗

𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟎𝟎 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟏𝟔𝒚 + 𝟔𝟒 + (−𝟒𝟗) = 𝟒𝟗 + (−𝟒𝟗)

𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟎𝒙 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟏𝟔𝒚 + 𝟏𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎

𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟐𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟔𝒚 + 𝟏𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎

Thus, the general form of the standard equation (𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎)𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟖)𝟐 = 𝟒𝟗 is 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟐𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟔𝒚 +
𝟏𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎.

Example 2] Identify the center and the radius of the circle defined by the equation
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟔𝒚 + 𝟑 = 𝟎.

Solution: Using the equation 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟔𝒚 + 𝟑 = 𝟎, let’s apply completing the square.to determine its
standard form,

𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟔𝒚 + 𝟑 = 𝟎

𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟔𝒚 = −𝟑
𝟒 𝟐 −𝟔 𝟐 𝟒 𝟐 −𝟔 𝟐
(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 + (𝟐) ) + (𝒚𝟐 − 𝟔𝒚 + ( 𝟐 ) ) = -3 + (𝟐) + ( 𝟐 )

(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟒) + (𝒚𝟐 − 𝟔𝒚 + 𝟗) = −𝟑 + 𝟒 + 𝟗

(𝒙 + 𝟐)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝟑)𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎

Now, we have
(𝒙 + 𝟐)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝟑)𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎

(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐

(𝒙 − (−𝟐))𝟐 + (𝒚 − 𝟑)𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎

h = - 2, k = 3
and

𝒓𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎

√𝑟 2 = √10

𝐫 = √10

Thus, the center of the circle is (-2,3) and its radius is √ 10 units long.

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Example 3] Identify the center and the radius of the circle defined by the equation
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟕 = 𝟎.
Solution: Using the equation 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟕 = 𝟎, let’s apply completing the square.to determine its
standard form,

𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟕 = 𝟎
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚 = 𝟕
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + (𝟐) ) + (𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒚 + (𝟐) ) = 7 + (𝟐) + (𝟐)

(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏) + (𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒚 + 𝟏) = 𝟕 + 𝟏 + 𝟏

(𝒙 + 𝟏)𝟐 + (𝒚 + 𝟏)𝟐 = 𝟗

(𝒙 − (−𝟏))𝟐 + (𝒚 − (−𝟏))𝟐 = 𝟗

h = - 1, k = - 1
and
𝒓𝟐 = 𝟗
√𝑟 2 = √9
𝐫= 𝟑

Thus, the center of the circle is (-1, -1) and its radius is 𝟑 units long.

This process is quite tedious, isn’t it? What about another alternative?
Instead of having such tiring work, why not consider the formula below?

𝑪 𝑫
(a) center at (h,k) is at ( , )
−𝟐 −𝟐

𝟐 𝟐
(b) 𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒖𝒔 (𝒓) = √ 𝒉 + 𝒌 − 𝑬
Let’s try it on the problem below.
Example 4] Identify the center and the radius of the circle defined by the equation
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟕 = 𝟎.
Given: C = 2, D = 2, E = - 7
𝑪 𝑫 𝟐 𝟐
(a) Center at (h,k) at ( , ) => ( , ) => (-1, -1)
−𝟐 −𝟐 −𝟐 −𝟐

(b) 𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒖𝒔 (𝒓) = √ 𝒉𝟐 + 𝒌𝟐 − 𝑬 => √ (−𝟏)𝟐 + (−𝟏)𝟐 − (−𝟕) => √𝟏 + 𝟏 + 𝟕 => √𝟗 => 3

Challenge: Using the given alternative above, identify the center and the radius of
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟐𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟔𝒚 + 𝟏𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎

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Example 5] Find the general form of equation of the circle illustrated below.

Solution:

Therefore, the general form of the equation of the circle is 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟖𝒙 − 𝟒𝒚 + 𝟏𝟏 = 𝟎.

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Example 6] Rowell’s house has a portable Wi-Fi router that can reach a field of about 50 feet from its location.
Suppose their neighborhood represents the Cartesian plane, his location is in the origin, and his house is
situated 30 feet north and 10 feet east from where he is.
a. Find the equation of the circle in general form which describes the boundary of the Wi-Fi signal.
b. Determine whether he can still connect to their Wi-Fi at home.
Solution:

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LET’S SUM IT UP!!!

CIRCLES encompass so many applications in the real-world. In fact, there

are numerous astonishing and breath-taking structures that were built with
the use of circular designs and conceptualizations. Can you name some?

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 Learning Task #3

C. PROBLEM SOLVING
Instruction: Solve the problem below. Show your complete process.

Problem 1] The Pampanga Eye currently holds the title for the tallest Ferris wheel in the Philippines. It is
situated in Sky Ranch Pampanga, a theme park in San Fernando City. The Ferris wheel is 50 meters in
diameter and has a height of 65 meters. Find an equation for the wheel, assuming that its center lies on the
𝑦-axis and that the ground is the 𝑥-axis.

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Problem 2]

Problem 3] The ends of the diameter of a circle are the points A = (−5, 3) and B = (3, 1). What is
the equation of this circle?

LEARNING EVIDENCE #1: By pair:

As Math teachers, please formulate 10 worded problems on circles. These word problems must be original,
this means, these must be your own formulated questions and problems.

Prepared by:

Alvior, Roy Jayvin

Castillo, Daniel Joseph V.
Delaguiron, Mark Argie P.
Villaflor, Carlo
MAED-MATH IB

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