352

Chapter 13 The Circle

Chapter 13
The Circle
13.1 Circle:
A circle is the set of all points in a plane that are equally distants
from a fixed point. The fixed point is called the centre of circle and the
distance from the centre to any point on the circle is called the radius of
the circle.
An equation of a circle is an equation in x and y which is satisfied
by the coordinates of a point if and only if the point is on the circle.
13.2 Standard Form of the Equation of a Circle:
Let P(x,y) be a point in a plane
Y
which moves so that it is always a
constant distance, called the radius r, from P(x .y)
the fixed point (h, k), called the centre of
the circle. Then by distance formula (h, k)
x
(x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2…….…(1)
Equation (1) is called standard
Figure 9.1
form of the circle, with centre (h, k) and
radius r.

If the centre is at the origin (0, 0), equation (1) reduces to

x2 + y2 = r2……………………..(2)
Also if the centre is at the origin (0,0) and radius is 1 (one),then the
equation (1) reduces to the unit circle i.e;

x2 + y2 = 1

Note that any equation equivalent to equation (1) is also an equation of the
circle. We may reduce the equation (1) to the form.

x2 + y2 – 2hx – 2ky + (h2 + k2 – r2) = 0 …………(3)

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Chapter 13 The Circle
we observe that

(i) The equation (3) is second degree in x and y.

(ii) The coefficients of x2 and y2 are equal.
(iii) There is no product term xy.

Example 1: Find the equation of the circle with centre at (–2, 3)

and radius 6.
Solution: From the standard form.
(x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2, here (h, k) = (–2, 3) , r = 6
2 2
(x + 2) + (x – 3) = 36
Example 2: Find the centre and radius of the circle x2 + y2 + x –
7
4y – =0.
4
7
Solution: x2 + y2 + x -4y – 4 = 0
2
1
Add. 2 + ( 2)2 on both sides
 
2
1 7 1
x + x + 2 + y2 – 4y + (2)2 = 4 + 4 + 4
2
 
1
(x + 2 )2 + (y – 2)2 = 6

Comparing with (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2

1
Hence the centre is at ( – 2 , 2 ) and the radius is 6

Theorem: (General form of an equation of a circle)

The equation x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c + 0………………..(4)
represents a circle with centre (g, f) and radius g2 + f2  c
Proof :
Since , x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
x2 + 2gx + y2 + 2fy =  c

Add g2 + f2 on both sides

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Chapter 13 The Circle
(x2 + 2gx + g2) + (y2 + 2fy + f2) = g2 + f2  c
(x + g) 2 + ( y + f) 2 = g2 + f2  c………………..(5)
Comparing this equation with the standard form
i.e., (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2
We have h = –g , k = –f, r= g2 + f 2 – c
Thus equation (4) represents a circle with
centre (h, k) = (–g , –f) and radius r= g2 + f 2 – c
Equation (4) is called the General form of the circle
Note: From equation (5) we find
r2 = g2 + f 2 – c
(i) If r2 > 0, the circle is real.
(ii) If r2 = 0  r = 0, the circle is a point circle
(iii) If r2 < 0, the circle is an imaginary circle.

These are called special features of equation of circle.

Example 3: What type of the circle is represented by x2 + y2 +
2x – 4y + 8 = 0.
Solution: Here, g = 1, f = –2, c = 8
Since r2 = g2 + f2 – c
= 1 + (–2)2 – 8
r2 = –3 < 0
Hence the equation represents an imaginary circle.
Example 4: By comparing with the general form, find the
centre and radius of the circle 2x2 + 2y2 – 5x + 4y –
7 = 0.
Solution: The given circle has the equation
5 7
x2 + y2 – 2 x + 2y – 2 = 0

Comparing it with

x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
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Chapter 13 The Circle
5 7
We have, g = – 4 , f = 1, c = – 2

5 
Hence the centre is (–g, –f) = 2   1
 

and radius r = g2 + f 2 – c

52  7
= 4 + (–1)2 – – 2
   
25 7 97
= 16 + 1 + 2 = 4
13.3 Circle Determined by Three Conditions:
From the general form of the circle
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
We see that there are three effective constants g, f and c. In the
general form three conditions can be imposed upon them which will
determined a circle, unique or otherwise.
13.3.I Circle Through Three Points:

If we substitute the coordinates of any point, we get three linear

equations, in the three unknowns, which may be solved simultaneously for
g, f and c. By substituting these values in general form we get the equation
of the circle.
13.3.2 Circles Tangent to Line:
Instead of specifying that the circle pass through certain points we
may require that it is tangent to certain line or that its centre lie on a given
line. Combinations of point and line conditions may be used to determine
a circle (or circles).
Example 5: Find an equation of the circle passing through (9, 7),
( –3, –1) and (6, 2).
Solution:
There are at least two ways of proceeding.
Method –I:
The General form of an equation of circle is
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 (1)
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Chapter 13 The Circle
We must determine the constants g, f and c.
Since the circle through the three given points, so
Put point (9, 7)  92 + (7)2 + 2(9) g + 2(7)f + c = 0 (2)
Put point (3,1)  (3) + (1) + 2(3)g + 2 (1)f + c = 0
2 2
(3)
Put point (6, 2)  (6) + (2) + 2 (6)g + 2(2) f + c = 0
2 2
(4)
Equivalent equations are
18 g – 14f + c =  130 (2′)
6g – 2f + c =  10 (3′)
12g + 4f + c = 40 (4′)
/ / /
Subtracting equation (4 ) from (2 ) and (3 ) we get,
6g - 18f = - 90 ------------------------------------ (5)
-18g - 6 f = 30 ------------------------------------ (6)
Dividing equation (6) by 3, we get
-6g - 2f = 10 ------------------------------------- (7)
Adding equation (5) and (7), we get ,
- 20 f = - 80

f = 4

put f = 4 in equation (7)  - 6g - 8 = 10

- 6g = 18

g = -3

put values of f and g in equation (3/ )

18 - 8 + c = - 10

C = - 20

Substituting g, f and c in equation (1), we get

x2 + y2 – 6x + 8y – 20 + 0
This method has the disadvantage that we must do more work to
find the centre and radius of the circle.
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Chapter 13 The Circle
Method –II:
This method is more geometric. It depends on the geometric fact
that the centre of the circle is at the intersection of the perpendicular
bisectors of segments joining the three given points. It sufficent to use
only two of these perpendicular bisectors.
As we see from Fig. 2, the slope of
7 + 1 1
ℓ is = 
9+3 2
and the slope of
2+7
n is = 3
69
1
The slope of the perpendicular bisector ℓ and n are 2 and 3
respectively.

(6,2)

(- 3, -1)
15 - 5
n n 2 2
(3,
-4)
(9,-7)

Figure 9.2
13.2
[Equation of line by point- slope foam is y – y1 = m ( x – x1 )]
Therefore the equation of ℓ and n are
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Chapter 13 The Circle

ℓ : y + 4 = 2( x – 3) or 2x – y = 10
5 1 15
n : y + 2 = 3 x   or x – 3y = 15
 2
Solving these two simultaneous equations we obtain x = 3, y = 4.
Hence the centre of the circle is (3, 4)
(3 + 3)2 + (4 + 1)
2
The radius is r =
r = 36 + 9 = 45 = 3 5
Put the (h , k ) = (3 , -4 ) and r = 3 in equation (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2
We get , (x – 3)2 + (y + 4)2 = (3 5)2
Or x2 + y2 – 6x + 8y – 20 = 0
Example 6: Find the equation of the circle which is tangent to the
y – axis, which passes through the point (1, 1), and
the centre of which is on the line 2x + y + 4 = 0.
Solution: If ( h, k) is the centre of the circle.
Since the circle is tangent to y – axis so that radius is
r=h
As circle passes through point (1, 1), so
(h + 1)2 + (k + 1)2 = h2
Or k2 + 2k + 2h + 2 = 0 (1)
Since the centre (h, k) lines on the line 2x + y + 4 = 0
So 2h + k + 4 = 0 (2)
 (k + 4)
from (2) h= (3)
2
Put in (1)
(k + 4)
k2 + 2k + 2 [ ]+2=0
2
2
Or k + 2k – k – 4 + 2 = 0
Or k2 + k –2 = 0
k = 1 or k = –2
5
From (3) when k = 1, h = – 2
When k = –2, h = –1
 5 
Hence there are two circles with centres – 2  1 ,
 
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Chapter 13 The Circle
2
 5 5
the radius r= – 1 +  + (– 1 –1)2
=
 2 2
and (–1, –2), the radius r = (–1 + 1)2 + (– 1 + 2)2 = 1
The equation of circles are
2 2
 5  5
 x + 2 + ( y  1)2 =  2
   
Or x2 + y2 + 5x – 2y + 1 = 0 (4)
And, (x + 1)2 + (y + 2)2 = 1
Or x2 + y2 + 2x + 4y + 4 = 0 (5)
Example7: Find the equation of the circle which contains the point
(0, 1) and touches the line x + 2y + 2 = 0 at the point
(4, 3).
Solution: If the (h, k) is the centre of the circle. Since the points A
(0, 1) and B (4, – 3) lie on the circle, so
|OA| = |OB|
(h – 0)2 + (k – 1)2 = (h – 4)2 + (k + 3)2
Or h2 + h2 – 2k + 1 = h2 + k2 – 8h + 6k + 25

Or 8h – 8k – 24 = 0
Or h – k – 3 = 0……………………….(1)
Slope of the line x + 2y + 2 = 0
1
Is m=2

Slope of perpendicular OB is 2.
Equation of the perpendicular OB on the line is
k+3
=2
h4
Or 2h – k – 11 = 0 (2)
Solving equation (1) and (2) we have
h = 8, k = 5
So the centre is (8, 5) and radius r = (8  0)2 + (5  1)2 = 80
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Chapter 13 The Circle
B (4,-3) x + 2y + 2 = 0

(h.
0 (0.1

k)
)

Figure 9.3
13.3
Hence the equation of the circle is
( x – 8)2 + ( y – 5)2 = 80
Or x2 + y2 – 16x – 10y – 9 = 0
Example 8: A circle is tangent to the x – axis at (5, 0) and is also
tangent to the line y = x. Find the centre, radius, and an
equation of the circle.
Solution: Since the circle is tangent to (5, 0), so the centre of the
circle is (h, k) = (5, k).
The radius of the circle is r = k
The perpendicular distance of centre (5, k) from the line x – y = 0 is
|5–k|
k=
2
Or, |5 – k| = 2 k

Y )
Y=x
(

(h, k)

X
(5, 0)

13.4
Figure 9.4
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Chapter 13 The Circle
Squaring both sides,
k2 – 10k + 25 = 2k2
Or k2 + 10k – 25 = 0
K=–5 +2 2 or 5–5 2

Hence the centre is at (5,5 ( 2  1) )

Radius is r = 5 ( 2  1) )
2 2
An equation is ( x – 5)2 + [y – 5( 2 – 1)] = ( 5 ( 2  1) )
Or x + y2 – 10x – 10y ( 2  1) + 25 = 0 ………………….(1)

When the center is at ( 5, – 5 ( 2 + 1) )

Radius is r = 5 ( 2 + 1)

2 2
An equation is ( x – 5) + ( y + 5( 2 + 1))
2
= ( 5 ( 2 + 1) )
Or x2 + y2 – 10x + 10y ( 2 + 1) + 25 = 0 ………………….(2)

Exercise 13
Q.1: Find the equation of the circles with the given centres and
radii.
(a) (–1, 2), r = 2 (b) (– 2 ,–2), r = 6
(c) (0, 0), r = a (d) (1, –3), r = 3
Q.2: Find centres and radii of the circles with the following
equations:
(a) x2 + y2 – 6x + 6y = 0 (b) x2 + y2 -4x + y – 1 = 0
(c) 3x2 + 3y2 – 2x – 6y – 2 = 0 (d) (x + 2)2 + (y – 1)2 = 16
(e) x2 + y2 +-4x +6y – 12 = 0
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Chapter 13 The Circle
Q.3: Find the equations of the circles:
(a) Passing through the points ( 1, 2), (0, –1) and (–1, 1).
(b) Passing through the points (0,1), ( 3, –3) and (3, –1).
(c) Through (–2,1), (–4, –3) and ( 3, 0).
(d) through (2, –1) and (–2,0) with center on 2x – y – 1 =0
(e) Through (–1, 2) and tangent to the axes.
(f) Through (3, 1) and touching the x – axis at (0,0).
Q.4: Find the equations of the following circles:
(a) through the point of intersection of the lines.
2x – y + 7 = 0 and 3x + y + 8 = 0 with center at the origin
(b) Centre at the point of intersection of the lines.
x – 2y + 4 = 0 and 2x + y – 2 = 0 with radius 4 units.
Q.5: Find the equations of the following circles:

(a) With center on the line y = x has radius 4 and passes

through the origin.
(b) The circle touching the line x = 2 and x = 12 and
passes through (4, 5).
(c) Through origin and whose intercepts on the axes are 3
and 4.
(d) through (1, 2), ( 6, 1) and touching the x – axis.
Q.6: Find the equation of the following circles.
(a) Concentric with the circle x2 + y2 – 6x + 4y – 12 = 0
with radius 6 units.
9
(b) Concentric with the circle x2 + y2 – 7x + 8y = and
2
touches the y – axis.
Q.7: Find the equations of the following circles:
(a) Which is tangent to the positive x and y – axis and
radius 5 units.
(b) Which touches both the axes of 4th quadrant and has a
radius of 5 units.
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Chapter 13 The Circle
(c) Whose center is ( –3, 2) and passes through the center
of the circle x2 + y2 – 4x + 8y – 16 = 0
Q.8: Find which of the two circles x2 + y2 – 3x + 4y = 0 and x2 +
y2 – 6x  8y =0 is greater.
Q.9: Find the equation of the circle having:
(a) (–2, 5) and (3, 4) as the end points of its diameter. Find
also its centre and radius.
(b) (–3, 7) and (2,- 1) as the end points of its diameter. Find also its
centre and radius.
Q.10: Find the equation of the circle whose center is at (–2, 5) and
which touches the line 4x – 3y – 18 = 0
Q.11: Show that the circles x2 + y2 +2 x – 2y – 7 = 0 and
x2 + y2  6x + 4y + 9 = 0 touch externally.
Q.12: Show that the circles x2 + y2 +2 x – 8 = 0 and
x2 + y2  6x + 6y  46 = 0 touch internally.

Answers
Q.1: (a) x2 + y2 + 2x  4y + 3 =0

(b) x2 + y2 + 2 2 x + 4y = 0 (c) x2 + y2 = a2

(d) (x – 1)2 + (y + 3) 2 = 16
 1 1
Q.2: (a) (3, – 3), r = 3 2 (b) 2  –  , r = 21
 2 2
1  
(c)  1 , r = 4/3 (d) (- 2 , 1) , r = 4 (e) (2 , -3) , r =5
3 

Q.3: (a) x2 + y2 – x – y – 2 =0

(b) 3x2 + 3y2 – x + 12y – 15 = 0

(c) 48x2 + 48y2 – 784x + 632y – 2440 = 0
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Chapter 13 The Circle

 12  32 85
(d) x +  + y +  =
 4  2 16
(e) (x + 1)2 + (y – 1)2 = 1 and ( x + 5)2 + (y – 5)2 = 25
(f) x2 + y2 – 10y = 0
Q.4: (a) x2 + y2 = 10 (b) x2 + y2 – 4y – 12 = 0
2 2
Q.5: (a) (x + 2 2) + (y - 2 2) = 16

(b) (x – 7)2 + (y – 4)2 = 25 and ( x – 7)2 + (y + 4)2 = 25

 32 25
(c) x   + (y – 2)2 =
 2 4

(d) (x – 3)2 + (y + 5)2 = (5)2 and (x – 23)2 + (y + 145)2 = (145)2

Q.6: (a) x2 + y2 – 6x + 4y – 23 =0

(b) x2 + y2 – 7x + 8y + 16 = 0

Q.7: (a) (x – 5)2 + (y – 5)2 = (5)2

(b) (x – 5)2 +(y + 5)2 = (5)2

(c) x2 + y2 + 6x – 4y – 48 = 0

Q.8: Second circle to greater than first.

Q.9: (a)x2 + y2 – x – 9y + 14 = 0 (b) 4x2 +4y2 +4x -24y-141=0
Q.10: x2 + y2 + 6x – 10y – 47 = 0
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Chapter 13 The Circle

Short Questions
Write the short answers of the following

Q.1: Write the equation of circle with centre at (h, k) and radius r.

Q.2: Write the general form of the circle, also represent the centre and

radius is this form.

Q.3: Find the equation of circle with centre (0, 0) and radius r.
Q.4: Find the equation of circle with centre (-3, 4) and radius 4.
1
Q.5: Find the equation of circle with centre on origin and radius is 2 .

Q.6: Find centre and radius of the circle x2 +y2 +9x – 7y – 33 = 0

Q.7: Find the centre and radius of the circle 6x2 +6y2 – 18 y = 0
Q.8: What type of circle is represented by x2 + y2 – 2x + 4y + 8 = 0
Q.9: Find the equation of circle with centre at (-1, 3) and tangent to
x –axis.
Q.10: Find the equation of circle with centre (3, 0) and tangent to
y – axis.
Q.11: Find the equation of the circle touches the lines at x = 0 and x = 10
and the centre is an x – axis.
Q.12: Reduce the equation into standard form x2 + y2 – 4x + 6y – 12 = 0
Q.13: Reduce the equation into standard form 2x2 + 2y2 – 5x + 4y – 7 = 0
Q.14: Reduce the equation into standard form x2 + y2 – 10y = 0.
Q.15: Find the equation of circle centered at (-3, 2) and passes through
the point (2, -4).
Q.16: Define the circle.
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Chapter 13 The Circle

Answers

Q2. Centre (–g, – f ), r = g2 + f2 - c

Q3. Equation of circle is:x2 + y2 = r2
1
Q4. x2 + y2 + 6x – 8y + 9 = 0 Q5. x2 + y2 – 4 = 0

 7 7 131 3 3
Q6. centre = - 2 ʼ 2 , r = Q7. Centre =(0, 2 ) , r = 2
  2
Q8. r2 < 0 imaginary circle. Q9. x2 + y2 + 2x – 6y + 1 = 0
Q10. x2 + y2 – 6x = 0 Q11. x2 + y2 – 10x = 0
2 2
 5  41 
Q12. 2 2
(x – 2) + (y + 3) = 5 2
Q13. x – 4 + (y + 1)2 =  8 
   
Q14. (x – 0)2 +(y – 5)2 =52 2 2
Q15. x + y + 6x – 4y – 48 = 0
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Chapter 13 The Circle

Objective Type Questions

Q.1 Each questions has four possible answers. Choose the correct
answer and encircle it.
__1. General Equation of the circle is:
(a) x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 (b) (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2
(c) x2 + y2 + x + y + 1 = 0 (d) None of these
__2. Standard equation of the circle is:
(a) x2 + y2 + 2gh + 2fy + c = 0 (b) (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2
(c) x2 + y2 + x + y + 1 = 0 (d) None of these
__3. Straight line from center to the circumference is:
(a) Circle (b) Radius
(c) Diameter (d) None of these
__4. Radius of the circle x2 + y2 = 1 is:
(a) 1 (b) (0, 0)
(c) 2 (d) None of these
2 2
__5. Radius of the circle x + y + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 is:
(a) c (b) c2
(c) g2 + f 2  c (d) None of these
__6. Centre of the circle x2 + y2 – 2x – 4y = 8 is:
(a) (1, 2) (b) (2, 4)
(c) (1, 3) (d) None of these
__7. Radius of the circle x2 + y2 – 2x – 4y = 8 is:
(a) 8 (b) 8
(c) 12 (d) None of these
__8. Equation of the unit circle is:
(a) x2 + y2 + 2x + 2y + 1 = 0 (b) x2 + y2 = 1
(c) x2 + y2 = r2 (d) None of these
2 2
__9. Radius of the circle (x – 1) + (y – 2) = 16 is:
(a) 2 (b) 1
(c) 4 (d) None of these
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Chapter 13 The Circle
__10. Centre of the circle (x – 1)2 + (y – 2)2 = 16 is :
(a) (1, 2) (b) (2, 1)
(c) (4, 0) (d) None of these
Answers
1. a 2. b 3. b 4. a 5. c
6. a 7. d 8. b 9. d 10. a

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