Mathematics

\\
CIRCLES
Chapter – 1 THEORY CONTENT OF
CIRCLES
India’s First Trick Based Study Material

1 EQUATION OF CIRCLE IN VARIOUS FORMS

From our day-to-day observation we know that a marble tied to the end of a string and
rotated by 360° describes a circular path. Looking at the above observation mathematically, we
assign coordinates to the marble and the point about which it is rotated as (x, y) and ()
respectively.
Diagrammatically,
(x , y )

p C ( )
( m a r b le ) p o in t a b o u t w h ic h
r o ta tio n ta k e s p la c e

Taking a constant length of the string, r, we have by distance formula,

x    2   y   2  r
2 2 2
 (x  ) + (y  ) = r …(i)
Equation (i) gives us the required equation of the circle with centre () and radius r.
A point moving in a plane such that its distance from a fixed point is always constant
describes a circle. The fixed point is called centre and the constant distance is called radius.
We present below the equation of circle in various forms :
1.1 CIRCLE WITH CENTRE AT THE POINT (h, k) AND RADIUS a
The equation of the circle is (x , y )
(x  h)2 + (y  k)2 = a2. (a )

Particular Case :
The equation of a circle with centre at the origin (h , k )
and radius a is x2 + y2 = a2.

1.2 GENERAL EQUATION OF A CIRCLE

General equation of second degree in x and y is
ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 ...(i)
The equation of a circle with centre () and radius r is
(x  )2 + (y  )2 = r2
x2 + y2  2x  2y + (2 + 2  r2) = 0 ...(ii)
Comparing (i) and (ii),
1 1 0 g f c
     
a b h       r 2 
 a = b i.e., coefficient of x2 = coefficient of y2.

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h = 0 i.e., coefficient of xy = 0
The general equation of a circle is
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 ...(i)
where g, f and c are constants.
To find the centre and radius.
Equation (i) can be written as
2

(x + g) + (y + f) =   f 2  c)
2 2 2
(g
 
Comparing with the equation of the circle given in (1.1), h =  g, k =  f
and a = (g
2
 f 2  c ).

 Coordinates of the centre are (g, f) and radius = (g

2
 f 2  c ).
1.2.1 Important remarks
(i) If g2 + f 2  c > 0, equation (i) represents real circle with centre (g, f).
(ii) If g2 + f 2  c = 0, the equation (i) represents a circle whose centre is (g, f) and radius
is zero i.e., the circle coincides with the centre and so it represents a point (g, f). It
is, therefore, called a point circle.
(iii) If g2 + f 2  c < 0, radius of the circle is imaginary. In this case, there are no real points
on the circle and so it is called a virtual circle or imaginary circle.
(iv) Dependence of the circle on three unknown parameters : The equation (i) i.e.,
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 contains three unknown quantities g, f, c. Hence for
determining the equation of a circle, three conditions are required.
1.3. DIAMETER FORM i.e., CIRCLE WITH THE LINE JOINING THE POINTS
A(x1, y1) AND B(x2, y2) AS DIAMETER
Let P(x, y) be any point on the circle with AB as diameter then APB = /2 (angle in
semicircle). i.e., AP is  to BP.
y y1  y  y 2 
     1 i.e., (x  x1) (x  x2) + (y  y1) (y  y2) = 0, is the required equation.
 x  x1  x  x 2 
P (x , y )

B (x 2, y 2)

C
(x 1, y 1)
A

1.4 PARAMETRIC EQUATION OF A CIRCLE

For the ease of under standing let us first consider a circle with centre at origin and then
generalize it to consider the case when the centre is at (h, k).
The equation of circle shown in the figure is
x2 + y2 = r2
Take any point P on the circle and draw a line joining P(x, y) to the centre (0, 0) such that it
makes an angle  with the positive direction of x-axis.

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Drop a perpendicular from P on the x-axis. y

In the right angles  POA
x = r cos , y = r sin 
P (x , y )
where, 0   < 2
r
The point P(r cos , r sin ) satisfies the
equation of the circle. 
 x = r cos  O A x
(0 , 0 )
y = r sin  are said to be the parametric
equations of the circle.
Now lets consider in the figure below. The
equation of the circle is
(x  h) + (y  k) = r
2 2 2
…(i)
where, r is the radius of the circle.

From, CPN,
(x  h) = r cos 
(y  k) = r sin 
 x = h + r cos  …(ii)
y = k + r sin  …(iii)
where, 0   < 2
P(h + r cos , k + r sin ) satisfies equation
(i)
 (ii) and (iii) represent the parametric
equations of the circle.

2 2 2
(i) The parametric equations of a circle x + y = a are x = a cos and y = a sin.
(ii) The parametric equations of circle (x  h)2 + (y  k)2 = a2
are x = h + a cos, and y = k + a sin, where  is a parameter.
1.5 CIRCLE THROUGH THREE POINTS
If three points A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3) are non-collinear, an unique circle passes
through A, B and C. To find the equation of this circle, we can proceed in the following way:
First method : Find the circum-centre and radius as in the lesson on ‘Points and Straight
lines’. We recall that:
If (, ) be the circum-centre,
then (x1 )2 + (y1 )2 = (x2 )2 + (y2)2 = (x3 )2 + (y2)2 .
Solving these, we find , . Also radius = (x1   ) 2  ( y 1  ) 2  r (say).
Then equation of the circle is (x  )2 + (y )2 = r2.
Second method : Let required circle be
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0. ...(ii)
Since this circle passes through A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3), we have
x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c = 0 ...(iii)
x22 + y22 + 2gx2 + 2fy2 + c = 0 ...(iv)
2 2
x3 + y3 + 2gx3 + 2fy3 + c = 0 ...(v)
Solving these three, we can find g, f, c and hence the equation of the circle.

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Students acquainted with determinants, can put the equation of this circle in
determinant form as follows :
Eliminating g, f and c from (ii) and (v), we have
x
2
y2 x y 1
x1
2
 y 12 x1 y 1
1
0 ...(vi)
x2
2
 y 22 x2 y 2
1

x3
2
 y 32 x3 y 3
1

(vi) is an equation of the circle passing through the points A, B and C.

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Question: If the equations of the two diameters of a circle are x + y = 6 and x + 2y = 4 and the radius of
the circle is 10, find the equation of the circle.
Solution : Here radius of the circle = 10.
Equations of two diameters say AB and ML of the circle are respectively
x+y=6 ...(i)
and x + 2y = 4 ...(ii)
solving (i) and (ii), we get x = 8 and y = 2.
Hence centre of the circle is (8, 2).
Now the equation of the required circle is
(x  8)2 + (y + 2)2 = 102 or x2 + y2  16x + 4y 32 = 0.
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Question: The abscissae of two points A and B are the roots of the equation
x2 + 2ax  b2 = 0 and the ordinates are the roots of the equation x2 + 2px  q2 = 0. Find the
equation and the radius of the circle with AB as diameter.
Solution : Given equations are
x2 + 2ax  b2 = 0 ....(i)
and x + 2px  q = 0
2 2
....(ii)
Let the roots of equation (i) be  and  and those of equation (ii) be  and , then
    2 a ,      2 p
2 
and
  b    q 2
Let A  (, ) and B  (, )
Now equation of the circle whose diameter is AB will be
(x  ) (x ) + (y ) (y ) = 0
or x2 + y2  ( + ) x  ( + )y +  +  = 0
or x2 + y2 + 2ax + 2py  (b2 + q2) = 0 ...(iii)
Centre of circle (iii) is (a, p)
( a )  ( p ) 2  b 2  q 2  b2 p2 q2.
2 2
and radius = a

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Question: Find the equation of the circle which passes through the points (1, 2) and (4, 3) and
whose centre lies on the line 3x + 4y = 7.
Solution : Let the equation of the circle be
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 ...(i)
Its centre is (g, f). Since centre (g, f) lies on the line 3x + 4y = 7
3g  4f = 7 ...(ii)
Again since circle (i) passes through the points (1, 2) and (4, 3)
5 + 2g  4f + c = 0 or 2g  4f + c =  5 ...(iii)

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and 25 + 8g  6f + c = 0 or 8g  6f + c =  25 ...(iv)
subtracting equation (iii) & (iv), we get 6g + 2f = 20
or  3g + f = 10 ...(v)
3 47
Solving (ii) and (v), we get f  ,g 
5 15

11
Putting the values of g and f in (iii), we get c  .
3

94 6 11
Hence required circle is x
2
y 2
 x  y  0
15 5 3
or 15x2 + 15y2  94x + 18y + 55 = 0.
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Question: Express a point lying in the circle x2 + y2 + 10x + 2y + 1 = 0 in parametric form.

Solution: The centre (h, k) is (5, 1) and radius a is 25 1 1  5.
So, the parametric form is
x = h + a cos = 5 + 5cos
y = k + a sin = 1 + 5sin
 Any point in this circle can be taken as
(5 + 5cos, 1 + 5sin)
1.6 CONCENTRIC CIRCLES
The equation of any circle concentric (having the same centre) with the circle
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 is x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + = 0 where  is any real constant.
1.7 CIRCLE WITH CENTRE AT THE POINT (h, k) AND WHICH TOUCHES THE AXIS OF x.
If the circle touches the axis of x, then its radius is equal to the numerical value of
y-coordinate of the centre.
 Equation of the circle is
(x  h)2 + (y  k)2 = |k|2 = k2
or x2 + y2  2hx  2ky + h2 = 0 ... (i)
This circle meets the x-axis, at the points where y = 0.
 Putting y = 0 in (i), we get
x2  2hx + h2 = 0 or (x  h)2 = 0.

C (h , k )

X
O h A (h , 0 )

which gives two identical values of x (= h).

Thus the circle touches the x-axis at the point (h, 0).
Important to remember: If a circle touches the x-axis at the point (h, 0), then putting
y = 0, the equation of the circle will reduce to the form (x  h)2 = 0.

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1.8 CIRCLE WITH CENTRE AT THE POINT (h, k) AND WHICH TOUCHES THE AXIS OF y
If the circle touches the axis of y, then its radius is equal to the numerical value of x-
coordinate of the centre.
Y

C (h , k )
B (0 , k )
h

k
X
O h A (h , 0 )

 Equation of the circle is given by

(x  h)2 + (y  k)2 = h2 or x2 + y2  2hx  2ky + k2 = 0. ...(i)
This circle meets the y-axis at the points where x = 0
 Putting x = 0 in (i), we get y2  2ky + k2 = 0 or (y  k)2 = 0
which gives two identical values of y (= k).
Thus the circle touches the y-axis at the point (0, k).
Important to remember:
If a circle touches the y-axis at the point (0, k), then putting x = 0, the equation of the circle
will reduce to the form (y  k)2 = 0
1.9 CIRCLE WHICH TOUCHES BOTH THE COORDINATE AXES
Let a be the radius of the circle. Since the centre of the circle may be in any of the four
quadrants, therefore it will be any one of the four points (±a, ±a). Thus there are four circles
of radius a touching both the coordinate axes, and their equations are
(x ± a)2 + (y ± a)2 = a2 or x2 + y2 ± 2ax ± 2ay + a2 = 0
Y

( a , a ) (a , a )

X X
O

( a , a ) (a , a )

y

1.10 GENERAL EQUATION OF SECOND DEGREE IN x, y AND CIRCLE

The general equation of second degree
ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0, will represent a circle if
(a) coeff. of x2 = coeff. of y2 i.e., a = b and (b) coeff. of xy = 0. i.e., h = 0.

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To find the centre and radius of the circle given in general form, first make the coefficients
of x2 and y2 equal to unity by dividing the equation by their coefficient if it is not equal to
unity. Then find the values of g, f and c by comparing with x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0.

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Question: Find the equation of the circle which touches the axes and whose centre lies on the line x
 2y = 3.
Solution: Since the circle touches both the axes, therefore its centre will be (a, ±a) and radius will be
|a|, where a is a positive or negative number.
Given line is x  2y = 3
Case I: When centre is (a, +a) ...(i)
Since (a, +a) lies on line (i)
centre of the circle is (3, 3) and radius = |3| = 3.
Hence equation of the circle will be
(x + 3)2 + (y + 3)2 = 32 or x2 + y2 + 6x + 6y + 9 = 0.
Case II: When centre is (a, a)
Since (a, a) lies on line (i)
 a + 2a = 3
a = 1
centre of the circle is (1, 1) and radius = |1| = 1
Hence equation of the circle will be (x  1)2 + (y + 1)2 = 12 or x2 + y2  2x + 2y + 1 = 0.
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Question: For what value(s) of , the equation (10  2)x2 + (2  8)y2 + (3 )yx  10x + 4y + 3 = 0
represent a real circle.
Solution: We must have
coeff. of x2 = coeff. of y2
 10  2 = 2  8 2 = 9  =±3
and coeff. of xy = 0
 3=0  =3
So, the common value is  = 3.

2 CIRCLE AND POINT

Let the equation of the circle be
S  x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0, and A(x1, y1) be any point. Distance between the centre
(g, f) and A is given by d  (x1  g ) 2  ( y 1  f ) 2 ].
d2  r2 = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + g2 + f2  g2  f2 + c = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c = S1
Clearly A lies inside, on or outside the circle as d <, = , or > r i.e., d2  r2 <, = , or > 0.
Hence S1(A) < 0  point lies inside the circle.
S1(A) = 0  point lies on the circle.
S1(A) > 0  point lies outside the circle.
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Question: How are the points (0, 1), (3, 1) and (1, 3) situated with respect to the circle
x 2 + y2  2x  4y + 3 = 0 ?
Solution: Given equation is x2 + y2  2x  4y + 3 = 0

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Let A  (0, 1), B  (3, 1) and C  (1, 3)

For point A(0, 1), x2 + y2  2x  4y + 3 = 02 + 12  2.0  4.1 + 3 = 0
Hence point A lies on the circle
For point B(3, 1), x2 + y2  2x  4y + 3 = 3 > 0
Hence, point B lies outside the circle.
For point C(1, 3), x2 + y2  2x  4y + 3 = 1 < 0
Hence point C lies inside the circle.

3 CIRCLE AND A LINE

We consider 3 cases:
Case I:
L1

Line L1 does not intersect the circle

Case II:
Line L1 touches the circle
L1

Case III:
Line L1 intersects the circle in two points.
L1

Now we proceed to derive the conditions of the three cases.

For the ease of calculations we take the circle as,
x2 + y2 = a2 ...(i)
and the equation of the line as
y = mx + c ...(ii)

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substituting the value of y in equation (i),

x2 + (mx + c)2 = a2
 x (1 + m ) + 2mcx + (c  a2) = 0
2 2 2
...(iii)
Equation (iii) represents a quadratic equation in x. The discriminant of the equation is
 = 4m2c2  4(1 + m2) (c2  a2)
Case I:
There is no real point of intersection.
i.e.,  < 0
 4m2c2  4(1 + m2) (c2  a2) < 0
 m2c2  (1 + m2) (c2  a2) < 0
 m2c2  c2  m2c2 + a2 + a2m2 < 0  a2 (1 + m2) < c2
2
c c
 a2 <  a<
(1  m
2
) 1m
2

Case II:
There are two coincident points of intersection.
i.e.,  = 0
4m2c2  4(1 + m2) (c2  a2) = 0
 a2(1 + m2) = c2
c
 a 
1 m2
 c=±a 1  m 2
This is the required condition of tangency.
 the equation of the tangents are
y  mx  a 1m
2

y  mx  a 1  m
2
and
Case III:
There are two different real points of intersection.
i.e.,  > 0
 4m2c2  4(1 + m2) (c2  a2) > 0.
 a2 (1 + m2) > c2
c
or a  .
1 m2
Let S = x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 and L = lx + my + n = 0.
Let r be the radius of the circle and p be the length
of the perpendicular drawn from the centre (g, f)
on the line L. Then.
(i) line intersect the circle in two distinct points if
p
p < r.
(ii) line touch the circle if p = r. r c

(iii) line neither intersects nor touches the circle

i.e., passes outside the circle if p > r.
Alternately
Solving the line and circle, i.e., eliminating y we get a quadratic in x. If  > 0, line intersects the
circle in two distinct points and roots x1, x2 of this quadratic gives their
x-coordinates. If  = 0, line touches the circle and the roots will give the x-coordinates of the
point of contact and if  < 0, the line neither intersect nor touches the circle. In the cases  > 0
or  = 0, corresponding y-coordinates can be found from the equation of line.

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Question: Show that the line 3x  4y  c = 0 will meet the circle having centre at (2, 4) and the radius
5 in real and distinct points if 35 < c < 15.
Solution: Given line is 3x  4y  c = 0 ...(i)
Centre of given circle is (2, 4) and its radius is 5, therefore its equation will be
(x  2)2 + (y  4)2 = 52
or x2 + y2  4x  8y  5 = 0 ...(ii)
1
From (i), y  (3x  c). Putting the value of y in (ii), we get
4

1 1
x
2
 (3 x  c )2  4 x  8. (3 x c) 5  0
16 4
16x + 9x  6cx + c  64x  96x + 32c  80 = 0
2 2 2
or
or 25x2  2(80 + 3c) x + c2 + 32c  80 = 0 ...(iii)
Line (i) will meet the circle (ii) in real and distinct points if discriminant of equation (iii) > 0
i.e., if 4(80 + 3c)2  100 (c2 + 32c  80) > 0 or (80 + 3c)2  25(c2 + 32c  80) > 0
or 6400 + 9c2 + 480c  25c2  800c + 2000 > 0
or 16c2  320c + 8400 > 0 or 16c2 + 320c  8400 < 0
or c2 + 20c  525 < 0
sign scheme for c2 + 20c  525 :
When c2 + 20c  525 = 0,
 20  400  2100  20  50
c    35 , 15
2 2

Therefore, sign scheme for c2 + 20c  525 is as follows

 
+ve 3 5 v e 15 +ve

 c2 + 20c  525 < 0  35 < c < 15.

Length of the chord B
Let O be the centre of the circle S = 0 and the line of the
chord AB be L = 0. r

Let p = length of  from centre to the line L = 0 O

p C
Then AB = length of the chord = 2 (r
2
p 2
) .
(by Pythagoras theorem) A
L = 0

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Question: Find the length of the chord 4x  3y = 5 of the circle x2 + y2 + 3x  y  10 = 0.

Solution: Given line is 4x  3y  5 = 0 ...(i)
and given circle is x + y + 3x  y  10 = 0
2 2
...(ii)

L
A B

 3 1 
Let C be the centre and a the radius of circle (ii), then C   ,  and
 2 2 

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9 1 25
a
2
   10 
4 4 2

 3  1
4   3   5
 2  2  5
CL = length of perpendicular from C to line (i)   .
2
4
2
 ( 3 ) 2

Let line (i) cut the circle (ii) at A and B, then,

25 25
AB  2 AL  2 a
2
 CL 2
 2   5 units.
2 4

4 CIRCLE AND CIRCLE

Let S = x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 and S = x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2f y + c = 0

be the equation of the two given circles. Let r and r be their radii and C and C their centres.
Then

C C
C 
C  C  C C C  C
C 

( ii) ( iii) ( iv ) (v )
( i)

(i) The two circles will intersect if |r  r| < CC < r + r
(ii) The two circles touch externally if CC = r + r
(iii) The two circles touch internally if CC = |r  r|
(iv) The two circles are out side to each other if CC > r + r
(v) One circle is contained in the other if CC < |r  r|.
I l l u str a ti on 1 0

Question: Prove that the circle x2 + y2 + 2ax + c2 = 0 and x2 + y2 + 2by + c2 = 0 touch each other if
1 1 1
2
 2
 2
.
a b c

Solution: Given circles are

x2 + y2 + 2ax + c2 = 0 ...(i)
and x2 + y2 + 2by + c2 = 0 ...(ii)
Let A and B be the centres of circles (i) and (ii) respectively and r1 and r2 be their radii, then
A  ( a , 0 ), B  ( 0 ,  b ), r 1  a
2
 c 2 , r2  b
2
c2
The two circles (i) and (ii) will touch each other externally or internally according as
AB = r1 + r2 or AB = |r1  r2|
i.e., AB2 = (r1 + r2)2 or AB2 = (r1  r2)2
Thus the two circles will touch each other if
AB2 = (r1 + r2)2 or a2 + b2 = r12 + r22 ± 2r1r2
or a2 + b2 = a2  c2 + b2  c2 ± 2 a
2
c2 b
2
c2

or 2c2 = ± 2 c2 c2 or c2 = ± c2 c2

2 2 2 2
a b a b

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or c4 = (a2  c2) (b2  c2) or c4 = a2b2  c2b2  a2c2 + c4 or c2b2 + a2c2 = a2b2
1 1 1 2 2 2
or 2
 2
 2
. [dividing by a b c ]
a b c

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P R O F IC IE N C Y T E S T I
The following questions deal with the basic concepts of this section. Answer the
following briefly. Go to the next section only if your score is greater than 80%. Do not consult the
study material while attempting the questions.

1. The centre and radius of the circle 2x2 + 2y2 + 20x + 4y  3 = 0 are............. and ...................
respectively.

2. The circle passing through (0, 0), (4, 0) and (0, 6) has the equation .................. .

2 2
3. The point (5cos, 5sin) lies on the circle x + y = 25. (True/False).

4. The point (4, 3) lies outside the circle x2 + y2  5x + y  3 = 0. (True/False).

5. What is the length of chord intercepted by the line x + y = 4, on the circle x

2
y 2
 16 .

6. The circle x2 + y2 = 16 and x2 + y2 + 10x + 3y  2 = 0 intersect in two distinct points.

(True/False).

7. The line x  4 = 0 touches the circle (x  2)2 + y2 = 22. (True/False)

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A N S W E R S T O P R O F IC IE N C Y T E S T I
55
1. ( 5 ,  1);
2

2. x2 + y2  4x  6y = 0

3. True

4. False

5. 4 2 units.

6. True

7. True

5 THE EQUATION T = 0
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 Mathematics

5.1 Circle x2 + y2 = r2
Take a point P(x1, y1) on the circle x2 + y2 = r2...(i)
 P(x1, y1) should satisfy the equation of the circle
 x1  y 1  r
2 2 2
...(ii)
Let the slope of the tangent be m,
 Equation of the line through (x1, y1) and slope m is,
(y  y1) = m(x  x1)
 y = mx + (y1  mx1) ...(iii)
The line represented by (iii) is a tangent to the circle,
 y1  mx 1
 r 1m
2
.

 ( y 1  mx 1 )  r ( 1  m )
2 2 2
...(iv)
2
substituting the value of r from (ii) in (iv) we have,
(y1  mx1)2 = (1 + m2) ( x 12  y 12 )
 y1
2
 m 2 x 12  2 mx 1 y 1  x 12  y 12  m 2 x 12  m 2 y 12
 x1
2
 2 mx 1y 1  m 2 y 12  0
 ( x 1  my 1 ) = 0
2

 (x1 + my1) = 0
substituting the value of m from (iii),
(y  y1)
x1  y1 0
(x  x1)
 (y  y1) y1 + (x  x1) x1 = 0
 xx1 + yy1  x 12  y 12  0
 x 1 x 1  yy 1  r
2
...(v)
The equation (v) gives the required equation of the tangent to the circle.
5.2 Circle x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2 fy + c = 0
Consider a point P(x1, y1) on the circle, where the tangent touches the circle
P (x 1, y 1)

C ( g , f)

(y 1 f)
scope of CP  .
(x1 g)
(x1  g )
Tangent being perpendicular to the radius, slope of the tangent  .
(y 1  f )

Equation of the tangent at P is,

(x1  g )
(y  y 1)  (x  x1)  (y  y1) (y1 + f) + (x1+ g) (x  x1) = 0
(y 1  f )

 yy 1
 y 12  yf  y 1 f  xx 1  xg  x 12  x 1 g  0
 xx 1
 yy 1  xg  fy  x1
2
 y 12  x 1 g  y 1 f

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 Mathematics

Adding (gx1 + y1f + c) to both sides, we have

xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c = x 12  y 12  2 x 1 g  2 fy 1  c ...(i)
 the point P(x1, y1) lies on the circle,
 2
x1  y 12  2 gx 1  2 fy 1  c  0
 Equation (i) reduces to, xx 1
 yy 1  g ( x  x 1 )  f ( y  y 1 )  c  0 .
 We conclude that in order to write the equation of the tangent to the circle
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0,
we put,
xx1 in place of x2
yy1 in place of y2
(x  x 1)
2 in place of x
(y y 1
)
2 in place of y
1 1
Let P(x1, y1) be any point. If we replace x2 by xx1, y2 by yy1, x by (x  x 1 ) and y by
2 2

(y + y1) in the left hand side of the equation of circle, we get T = 0.

For example, for the circle x2 + y2 = a2, T = xx1 + yy1  a2
and for the circle x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0, T = xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c.
5.3 EQUATIONS OF TANGENTS TO THE CIRCLE AT THE POINT P(x1, y1) ON IT
Let P(x1, y1¬) be a point lying on the circle. Then equations of tangents in different forms of
circles are given below:
Equation of the circle Equation of the tangent at P(x1, y1)
2 2 2
1. x + y = r T = xx1 + yy1  r2 = 0
2. (x  h)2 + (y  k)2 = r2 T = (x  h) (x1  h) + (y  k) (y1  k)  r2 =0
3. x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 T  xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c =0
Note that T = 0 always represents a line whether P(x1, y1) lies on the circle or not, but
T = 0 represents the equation of the tangent at P(x1, y1) only when P lies on the circle.
Example : Consider the circle S  x2 + y2  4 = 0 and P(1, 1). Then T = x + y  4 = 0 does not
represent the equation of the tangent since S(P) = 12 + 12  4 = 2 < 0, i.e., P lies inside the
circle, not on the circle.
I l l u str a ti on 1 1

Question: The circle x2 + y2  4x  8y + 16 = 0 rolls up the tangent to it at (2  3 , 3) by 2 units,

assuming the x-axis as horizontal, find the equation of the circle in the new position.
Solution: Given circle is x2 + y2  4x  8y + 16 = 0...(i)
Let P  ( 2  3 , 3 ).
B
Equation of tangent to the circle (i) at P
(2  3,3) will be
L
(2  3 )x  3 y  2( x  2  3)  4(y + 3) +
16 = 0
or A
3x y 2 3 0 (2 , 4 )

...(ii)
P (2  3,3)

If line (ii) makes an angle  with the positive

direction of x-axis,

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then tan = 3
  = 60°.
Let A and B be the centres of the circles in old and new positions respectively, then
A  (2, 4) and B  (2 + 2cos60°, 4 + 2sin60°) [  AB = 2]
thus B  (3, 4 + 3)

Radius of the circle   4 2  16  2

2
2

 Equation of the required circle is (x  3)2 + (y  4  3)

2
 22

or x + y  6x  2 ( 4  3 ) y + 24 + 8 3  0
2 2

I l l u str a ti on 1 2

Question: Find the equation of the circles passing through the points A(1, 2), B (3, 4) and touching
the line 3x + y – 3 = 0.
Solution: To determine the coordinates of the centre C(h, k), we know that
CA = CB and CA = CM or (h – 1)2 + (k – 2)2 = (h – 3)2 + (k – 4) 2 … (i)

(1 , 2 )
A

(h , k ) B
(3 , 4 )

3x + y  3 = 0

( 3 h k 3 ) 2
and ( h 1)  2 ) 2  … (ii)
2
(k
10

Let  = h – 1 and  = k – 2.
Then (i) can be written as 2 + 2 = ( – 2)2 + ( – 2) 2 or  +  = 2 … (iii)
(ii) can be written as 10 (2 + 2) = (3 +  + 2)2
i.e., 10 [( + )2 – 2] = [3 ( + ) – 2 + 2] 2
i.e., 10 (4 – 2) = (8 – 2)2, using (iii)
i.e., 5[4 – 2 (2 – )] = 2 (4 – )2, again using (iii)
i.e., 82 – 4 – 12 = 0 or 22 –  – 3 = 0 or ( + 1) (2 – 3) = 0
3 1
  = –1 or and  = 3 or .
2 2

1
 3    2 
i.e., , 
  1  3 

2 
3
h 4 
h  
2
Correspondingly , 
k 1  7
k  
2

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 Mathematics
2 2
 3   7  10
 we have ( x 4 ) ( y  1) 2 10
x    y   
2
and
 2   2  4
2 2
Expanding these equations, we get, x + y – 8x – 2y + 7 = 0
and x2 + y2 – 3x – 7y + 12 = 0

5.2 EQUATION OF THE TANGENT IN TERMS OF SLOPE m

Let the slope of the tangent be equal to m. Then there are two tangents to the circle which
have slope equal to m.
Circle Tangents
1. x2 + y2 = r2 y = mx ± r (1 m2)

(x  h) + (y  k) = r y  k = m(x  h) ± r
2 2 2
2. (1  m 2 ).
If equation of the circle is given to be x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0, first convert it in the form
(x + g)2 + (y + f)2 = g2 + f 2  c = r2.
Then the equation of tangents having slope m are given by
y + f = m(x + g) ± (g
2
f 2 c) (1  m 2 ).
Condition of tangency for the line y = mx + c, on the circle x2 + y2 = r2 is c2 = r2 (1 + m2)
I l l u str a ti on 1 3

Question: Prove that the tangent to the circle x2 + y2 = 5 at the point (1, –2) also touches the circle x2
+ y2 – 8x + 6y + 20 = 0 and find its point of contact.
Solution: The equation of the tangent is x – 2y = 5 (xx1 + yy1 = a2)
The centre of the second circle is the point (4, –3);
the length of its radius = 16  9  20  5 .
4  6 5 5
The perpendicular from (4, –3) to the line x – 2y – 5 = 0 is   5
5 5
i.e., the perpendicular from the centre of the circle upon the line is equal in length to the
radius of the circle.
 x – 2y = 5 is also a tangent to the second circle.
If the point of contact be (x1, y1), the equation of the tangent is given by
xx1 + yy1 – 4 (x + x1) + 3 (y + y1) + 20 = 0
i.e., x(x1 – 4) + y (y1 + 3) – 4x1 + 3y1 + 20 = 0
x 4 y 3 4 x 1 3 y 1 20
 1  1 
1 2 5
(when two first degree equations represent one and the same line the corresponding
coefficients are proportional)
Solving for (x1, y1), we have x1 = 3, y1 = –1.
 the point of contact is (3, –1).

6 NORMAL

The normal to a circle at the point (x1, y1) is the line perpendicular to the tangent to the
circle at the point (x1, y1) and passing through this point.
Obviously, the normal to a circle passes through its centre.
 Equation of normal to the circle x2 + y2 = a2 at the point (x1, y1) on it is
y1 0 x y
y 0  (x  0 ), i.e., 
x1 0 x1 y1

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N

P (x )

T angent

2 2
Also the equation of normal to the circle x + y + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 at the point (x1, y1) on it
is
y1  ( f ) y y1 x  x1
y y1  ( x  x 1 ), i.e.,  .
x1  ( g ) y1 f x1 g

I l l u str a ti on 1 4

Question: Find the equation of the normal to the circle x2 + y2  2x  4y + 3 = 0 at the point (2, 3).

Solution: Given circle is x2 + y2  2x  4y + 3 = 0 ...(i)

Let P  (2, 3)
Let A be the centre of circle (i), then A  (1, 2)
Normal at point P(2, 3) of the circle will be line AP.
2 3
 y 3  (x  2)
12
or y  3 = x  2 or x  y + 1 = 0.
7 TANGENTS DRAWN FROM A POINT OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE

Let S = x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 and P(x1, y1) lies outside the circle
i.e., S1 = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c > 0.
Then two tangents can be drawn to the circle from the point P.

r
P (x 1, y 1)

Let S  x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 be the circle,

T = xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c
and S1 = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c.
Then combined equation of the tangents from P i.e., PA and PB is given by SS1 = T 2.
Before using this formula, check the condition S1 > 0.
Alternate method: Let y  y1 = m(x  x1) be any line through P(x1, y1). Let p be the  drawn from
the centre on this line. Then p = r (condition for tangency) gives the values of m. In this way we
can find the equations of tangents from P.
I l l u str a ti on 1 5

Question: Find the equation of the pair of tangents drawn to the circle x2 + y2  2x + 4y = 0 from the
point (0, 1).

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Solution: Given circle is S  x2 + y2  2x + 4y = 0 ...(i)

Let P  (0, 1)
For point P, S1 = 02 + 12  2.0 + 4.1 = 5 > 0
Point P lies outside the circle
and T  x.0 + y.1  (x + 0) + 2(y + 1)
i.e., T = x + 3y + 2
Now equation of the pair of tangents from P(0, 1) to circle (i) is
SS1 = T 2
or 5(x2 + y2  2x + 4y) = (x + 3y + 2)2
or 5x2 + 5y2  10x + 20y = x2 + 9y2 + 4  6xy  4x + 12y
or 4x2  4y2  6x + 8y + 6xy  4 = 0
or 2x2  2y2 + 3xy  3x + 4y  2 = 0 ...(ii)
From (ii), 2x2 + 3(y  1)x  (2y2  4y + 2) = 0
3(y  1)  9(y  1) 2  8 ( 2 y 2
 4y  2)
 x 
4

or 4x  3y + 3 = ± 25 y
2
 50 y  25  5 ( y  1)
 Separate equations of tangents are
4x  8y + 8 = 0 i.e., x  2y + 2 = 0
and 4x + 2y  2 = 0 or 2x + y  1 = 0.

8 LENGTH OF TANGENT FROM A POINT OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE

Let us take a circle in its simplest form.

Distance of the point P(x1, y1) from origin (0, 0) is say d,
y

O x
(0 , 0 )
P
(x 1, y 1)

 d= x1
2
 y 12
OT = r
Applying Pythagoras theorem to OPT,
OP2 = OT2 + TP2
 TP2 = x1
2
 y 12  r 2

 TP = x1
2
 y 12  r 2

Now consider the general equation of the circle,

x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2 fy + c = 0

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C P
( g , f ) (x 1, y 1)

radius (r)  g
2
f 2 c

PC  (x1  g )2  (y 1  f )2
Applying Pythagoras theorem to CTP,
CP2 = CT2 + TP2.
 (x1 + g)2 + (y1 + f)2 = g2 + f2  c + TP2.
 TP2 = x1
2
 y 12  2 gx 1  2 fy 1  c

 TP = x1
2
 y 12  2 gx 1  2 fy 1  c
 we conclude that if the equation of the circle is
S  x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 and
S1  x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c
 The length of the tangent drawn from an external point P(x1, y1) to the circle is
S1.

Method : First reduce the equation of the circle to the standard form with the coefficients
of x2 and y2 equal to unity, and right hand side equal to zero, then substitute the
coordinate of the given point in the equation of the circle. The square root of the
L.H.S. thus obtained is the length of the tangent from the given point.
I l l u str a ti on 1 6

Question: Find the area of the quadrilateral formed by a pair of tangents from the point (4, 5) to the
circle x2 + y2  4x  2y  11 = 0 and a pair of its radii.
Solution: Given circle is S  x2 + y2  4x  2y  11 = 0 ...(i)
Let C be its centre and a be its radius; then C  (2, 1) and a = 4.
Let P  (4, 5)
A

P C

Now length of tangent PA or PB from P to circle   5 2  4 . 4  2 . 5  11  2

2
4
and radius CA = 4
1 1
 area of PAC = PA . AC  2 .4 4
2 2
 area of quadrilateral PACB
= 2 area of PAC = 8 square units.
9 CHORD OF CONTACT
Let P(x1, y1) be a point outside the circle and A, B the points of contact of the two tangents
drawn to the circle from the point P(x1, y1). Then the line AB is called the chord of contact of the

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tangents drawn from the point P. We also say that AB is the chord of contact of the point P.

C h o r d o f c o n ta c t
P
(x 1, y 1)

The equation of the chord of contact of the point P(x1, y1) is given by
T = 0, i.e., xx1 + yy1 = a2 for the circle x2 + y2 = a2 and that for the circle
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 is
xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c = 0.
It should be kept in mind that T = 0 represents the chord of contact only when P(x1, y1) lies
outside the circle i.e., when S1 > 0.

I l l u str a ti on 1 7

Question: Tangents are drawn from the point (h, k) to the circle x2 + y2 = a2. Prove that the area of the
3

a (h
2
k 2
a2 )2
triangle formed by them and their chord of contact is .
h
2
k 2

Solution: Given circle is x2 + y2 = a2 ...(i)

The equation of the chord of contact AB of tangents drawn from P(h, k) to the circle (i) is
xh + yk = a2. ...(ii)
P (h , k )

C
(0 , 0 )
B

We have to find the area of PAB. From P(h, k) draw PL  AB.

h k a
2 2 2

Now PL  ...(iii)
h k
2 2

Here h2 + k2  a2 > 0
 P(h, k) lies outside circle (i)
Also PA  k 2 a2 .
2
h

(h
2
k 2 a2 )
2

 AL2 = AP2  PL2 = (h2 + k2  a2)  ,

h k
2 2

(h
2
k 2 a2 )( h
2
 k 2 ) (h 2  k 2 a 2 )
2


h k
2 2

(h
2
k 2 a2 )( h
2
k 2 h2 k 2 a2 )
 AL 
(h
2
k2 )
1

a( h
2
k 2 a2 )2
 1
.
(h
2
k 2
) 2

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1
Now the area of APB  . AB.PL = AL.PL
2
1 3

a( h
2
k 2 a2 )2 (h
2
k 2 a2 ) a( h
2
k 2 a2 )2
 .  .
h k
1 1 2 2

(h
2
k2 )2 (h
2
k2 )2

10 RADICAL AXIS
The radical axis of two circles is the locus of a point, which moves so that the lengths of
the tangents drawn from it to the two circles are equal.
Let the equations of the two circles be
S1  x2 + y2 + 2g1x + 2f1y + c1 = 0
and S2  x2 + y2 + 2g2x + 2f2y + c2 = 0.
If P(x1, y1) is the point on the radical axis of these two circles, then
 y 12  2 g 1 x 1  2 f1 y 1  c 1 )   y 1  2 g 2 x 1  2 f2 y 1  c 2
2 2 2
( x1 ( x1 )

Squaring both sides, and simplifying, we have

2(g1  g2)x1 + 2(f1 f2)y1 + c1  c2 = 0

 The locus of the point P(x1, y1), i.e., the equation of the radical axis of the two circles is
2(g1  g2)x + 2(f1  f2)y + c1  c2 = 0.
or S1  S2 = 0.
If the two given circles intersect, then S1  S2 = 0 is the equation of their common chord. In
case the two circles touch, then S1  S2 = 0 becomes the common tangent at the point of
contact.

S2 = 0
r1 A r2
C 2 A
C 1 C 1 C C 1
2
C 2

S1 = 0 S2 = 0 S1 = 0 S2 = 0 S1 = 0 S1 = 0 S2 = 0

C o m m o n c h o rd C o m m o n ta n g e n t O n ly r a d ic a l a x is
a n d r a d ic a l a x is a n d r a d ic a l a x is

10.1 AN IMPORTANT PROPERTY OF S1  S2 = 0 i.e., OF RADICAL AXIS OR COMMON CHORD

OR COMMON TANGENT
The slope of the radical axis i.e., S1  S2 = 0
2(g 1  g 2 )
  m 1 (say).
2 ( f1  f 2 )

Since C1(g1, –f1) and C2(g2, –f2) are the centres of two given circles,
( f1  f 2 )
 slope of C1C2 =  m 2 (say)
g1 g2
Obviously, m1m2 = 1.
Hence the radical axis of the two circles is perpendicular to the line joining their centres.
10.2 AN IMPORTANT RESULT ABOUT RADICAL AXES
Let S1 = 0, S2 = 0 and S3 = 0 be three circles. Then their radical axes taken in pairs are either
parallel or concurrent. Radical axes are parallel if the centres of the circles are collinear.
I l l u str a ti on 1 8

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Question: Prove that the circle x2 + y2  6x  4y + 9 = 0 bisects the circumference of the circle
x2 + y2  8x  6y + 23 = 0.
Solution: Given circles are
S1  x2 + y2  6x  4y + 9 = 0 ...(i)
and S2  x2 + y2  8x  6y + 23 = 0 ...(ii)
Equation of common chord of circles (i) and (ii) which is also the radical axis of circles
(i) and (ii) is
S1  S2 = 0
or 2x + 2y  14 = 0 or x + y  7 = 0 ...(iii)
Centre of circle (ii) is (4, 3). Clearly line (iii) passes through the point (4, 3) and hence line (iii)
is the diameter of circle (ii). Hence circle (i) bisects circumference of circle (ii).
I l l u str a ti on 1 9

Question: Show that the circles

x2 + y2  10x + 4y  20 = 0 and x2 + y2 + 14x  6y + 22 = 0 touches each other. Find the
coordinates of the point of contact and the equation of the common tangent at the point
of contact.
Solution: Two circles are
S1  x2 + y2  10x + 4y  20 = 0 ...(i)

7 6
C 1 C 2
P
( 7 , 3 )
(5 , 2 )

and S2  x2 + y2 + 14x  6y + 22 = 0 ...(ii)

For the circle (i), the coordinates of the cente C1 are (5, 2), and radius,
r1 = ( 25  4  20 )  7 .
For the circle (ii), the coordinates of the centre C2 are (7, 3) and radius,
r2  ( 49  9  22 )  6 .

Now C1C2 = [( 5  7 ) 2  ( 2  3 ) 2 ]  13  r 1  r 2 .
Hence the two circles (i) and (ii) touch externally.
Coordinates of the point of contact
If P is the point of contact of the two circles (i) and (ii), then P will divide C1C2 internally in
the ratio r1 : r2, i.e., 7 : 6.
 7 .( 7 )  6 . 5 7 . 3  6 .( 2 ) 
 Coordinates of P are  ,  or (19/13, 9/13).
 7 6 7 6 
Equation of the common tangent.
Since the two circles touch each other, so their common chord given by S1  S2 = 0 is the
common tangent at the point of contact.
 The equation of the common tangent is
24x + 10y  42 = 0 or 12x  5y + 21 = 0.

11 CHORD WITH A GIVEN MIDDLE POINT

Let S  x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 be the equation of the given circle whose centre is
C(g, f).
If P(x1, y1) is the mid-point of the chord AB, then CP is perpendicular to AB.

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C ( g , f)

90°
A B
P (x 1, y 1)

Now slope of CP is (y1 + f)/(x1 + g).

 Slope of chord AB =  (x1 + g)/(y1 + f).
Obviously, the chord AB with P(x1, y1) as the middle point is the line passing
through the point P and perpendicular to CP, and hence its equation is
 x1  g
y y1  (x  x1)
y1 f

or (y  y1) (y1 + f) =  (x1 + g) (x  x1) or xx1 + yy1 + gx + fy = x12 + y12 + gx1 + fy1
which can be written as xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) +f (y + y1) + c = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c
or T = S1,

Hence, the equation of the chord of circle

S  x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 with P(x1, y1) as the middle point is T = S1
where T = xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c which is the expression on the L.H.S. of the
equation of tangent to the circle S = 0, at the point (x1, y1) on it; and S1 = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 +
2fy1 + c, which is the expression obtained by substituting x1, y1 for x and y in the L.H.S. of
the equation of the circle S = 0.
The same formula T = S1, for the chord, holds for the circle x2 + y2 = a2.
I l l u str a ti on 2 0

Question: Find the equation of the chord of the circle x2 + y2 + 6x + 8y  11 = 0, whose middle point
is (1, 1).
Solution: Equation of given circle is S  x2 + y2 + 6x + 8y  11 = 0
Let L  (1, 1) ...(i)
For point L (1, 1), S1 = 12 + (1)2 + 6.1 + 8(1)  11 = 11 and
T  x + y(1) + 3(x + 1) + 4(y  1)  11 i.e., T  4x + 3y  12
Now equation of the chord of circle (i) whose middle point is L(1, 1) is T = S1
or 4x + 3y  12 = 11 or 4x + 3y  1 = 0
Alternate Method: Let C be the centre of the given circle, then
4  1 3
C  (3, 4). L  (1, 1) slope of CL   .
 3 1 4
 Equation of chord of circle whose mid-point is L is
4
y 1   (x  1) [  chord is perpendicular to CL]
3

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P R O F I C I E N C Y T E S T I I

The following questions deal with the basic concepts of this section. Answer the
following briefly. Go to the next section only if your score is greater than 80%. Do not consult the
study material while attempting the questions.

1. The equation of tangent at (4, 3) on the circle x2 + y2  5x + y  2 = 0 is....................

2. The general tangent to x2 + y2 =16 is y  mx  16 1  m 2 . (True/False).

3. Normal to x2 + y2 = 16 at ( 7, 3) is................ .

4. The joint equation of tangents drawn from (2, 5) to x2+y2 = 16 is .................. .

5. The length of tangent drawn from (1, 8) to 2x2 + 2y2 = 5 is 5 5. (True/False)

6. The chord of contact of tangents drawn from (1, 8) to the circle 2x2 + 2y2 = 5 is .............. .

7. The radical axis of circles 2x2 + 2y2 = 5 and x2 + y2  10x  2y + 1 = 0 has the equation.........

8. The tangent common to the circles (x  4)2 + y2 = 4 and (x  5)2 + y2 = 1 is................. .

9. Radical axis is always perpendicular to the line joining centres of two circles. (True/False)

10. The equation of chord of the circle x2 + y2 + 16x + y  10 = 0 bisected at the point (1, 2)
is........ .

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A N S W E R S T O P R O F I C I E N C Y T E S T I I

1. 3x 5y  27 = 0

2. False

3. 3x  7y 0

4. (2x + 5y  16)2 = 13(x2 + y2  16)

5. False

6. 2x  16y + 5 = 0

7. 20x + 4y  7 = 0

8. x6=0

9. True

10. 14x + 5y + 4 = 0

12 FAMILY OF CIRCLES
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It is a very useful concept in the sense that a lot of problems can be solved in a short way
using the points mentioned below :
12.1 Family of circles passing through the points of intersection of two given circles
S = 0 and S = 0 is
S + S = 0,    1.
12.2 Family of circles passing through the points of intersection of a given circle S = 0 and a
given line L = 0 is
S + L = 0 .
12.3 Family of circles touching a given circle S = 0 at the point where a given line L = 0 touches
it is again S + L = 0.
12.4 Family of circles touching a given line L = 0 at the point (x1, y1) on it is
(x  x1)2 + (y  y1)2 + L = 0.
12.5 Family of circles passing through two given points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is
x y 1

(x  x 1 )( x  x 2 )  ( y  y 1 )( y  y 2 )   x1 y 1
1  0.
x2 y 2
1

I l l u str a ti on 2 1

Question: Write the equation of the circle which has its centre, on the line x + y = 0 and passes
through the points of intersection of the two circles (x – 1) 2 + (y + 5) 2 = 50; (x + 1) 2 + (y +
1)2 = 10.
Solution: A circle which passes through the intersection of the given circles has equation of the form
x2 + y2 + 2x + 2y – 8 + k (x2 + y2 – 2x + 10y – 24) = 0
1  k 1  5k 
The centre of this circle is the point  , 
 1k 1k 

1
If the centre lies on x + y = 0, we have –1 + k – 1 – 5k = 0 or k =  .
2

 the required circle has equation

2 (x2 + y2 + 2x + 2y – 8) – (x2 + y2 – 2x + 10y – 24) = 0
i.e., x2 + y2 + 6x – 6y + 8 = 0 or (x + 3)2 + (y – 3)2 = 10.
I l l u str a ti on 2 2

Question: Find the equation of the circle described on the chord

x cos  + y sin  – p = 0 of x2 + y2 – a2 = 0 as diameter.
Solution: Any such circle is a member of x2 + y2 – a2 + k (x cos  + y sin  – p) = 0.
If this is to be the circle on the chord as diameter, the centre of the circle
 k k 
  cos ,  sin  
 2 2 
should lie on x cos  + y sin  – p = 0
k  k  2
 cos
2
  sin  p  k = –2p.
2  2 
The equation to the required circle is x2 + y2 – a2 – 2p (x cos  + y sin  – p) = 0.

13 ORTHOGONAL INTERSECTION OF TWO CIRCLES

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Two circles are said to intersect orthgonally if their angle of intersection i.e., angle between
the tangents i.e., angle between the normals at their point of intersection is a right angle.
Thus  = 90° and so cos = 0.
 r12 + r22 = d2 = C1C22.
Let S1  x2 + y2 + 2g1x + 2f1y + c1
2 2
and S2 = x + y + 2g2x + 2f2y + c2
then C1 = (g1, f1), C2 = (g2, f2)

r1 r2

C C 2
1
d

and r12 = g12 + f12  c1, r22 = g22 + f22  c2.

 we have
g12 + f12  c1 + g22 + f22  c2 = (g1  g2)2 + (f1  f2)2 = g12 + g22 + f12 + f22  2g1g2  2f1f2
or 2g1g2 + 2f1f2 = c1 + c2, which is the condition that the two circles intersect orthogonally.
I l l u str a ti on 2 3

Question: Obtain the equation of the circle orthogonal to both the circles x2 + y2 + 3x  5y + 6 = 0 and
4x2 + 4y2  28x + 29 = 0 and whose centre lies on the line 3x + 4y + 1 = 0.
Solution: Given circles are x2 + y2 + 3x  5y + 6 = 0 ,,,(i)
and 4x2 + 4y2  28x + 29 = 0
29
or x2 + y2  7x  0. ...(ii)
4
Let the required circle be x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 ...(III)
Since circle (iii) cuts circles (i) and (ii) orthogonally
3   5 
 2g    2f    c  6 or 3g  5f = c + 6 ...(iv)
2   2 
 7  29 29
and 2g     2 f .0  c  or 7g  c + ...(v)
 2  4 4

5
(iv)  (v), we get 10g  5f =  or 40g  20f =  5. ...(vi)
4
Given line is 3x + 4y + 1 = 0 ...(vii)
Since centre (g, f) of circle (iii) lies on line (vii)
 3g  4f = 1 ...(viii)
1
Solving (vi) and (viii), we get g = 0 and f =
4

29
 from (v), c = 
4

 From (iii), required circle is

1 29
x
2
y 2
 y  0 or 4(x2 + y2) + 2y  29 = 0.
2 4

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14 RADICAL CENTRE AND RADICAL CIRCLE

14.1 RADICAL CENTRE OF THREE CIRCLES
Let S1 = 0, S2 = 0 and S3 = 0 be three circles. Then their radical axes, taken in pairs, are
parallel or concurrent. If they are not parallel, their point of concurrency is called the radical centre
of the circles. Since tangents from any point of the radical axis of two circles are of equal length,
the lengths of tangents drawn from the radical centre to the three circles are of equal length.
14.2 RADICAL CIRCLE
Let A(, ) be the radical centre and l be the length of the tangents from the radical centre
A, then the circle (x  )2 + (y )2 = l2 is called the radical circle.
14.3 METHOD TO FIND THE RADICAL CENTRE AND RADICAL CIRCLE
Find any two radical axes, say S1  S2 = 0, S1  S3 = 0 and solve them to find radical centre
A(, ). Now l2 = S1(, ). Then equation of radical circle is (x  )2 + (y  )2 = l 2.
14.4 AN IMPORTANT RESULT ABOUT RADICAL CIRCLE
The radical circle of the circle S1 = 0, S2 = 0, S3 = 0 having non-collinear centres intersect the
circles orthgonally.
This gives an alternate method to find the circle intersecting three circles orthogonally.
I l l u str a ti on 2 4

Question: The equation of three circles are given

x2 + y2 = 1, x2 + y2  8x + 15 = 0, x2 + y2 + 10y + 24 = 0.
Determine the coordinates of the point P such that the tangents drawn from it to the
circles are equal in length.
Also find the equation of the circle through P which touches the line x + y = 5 at the point
(6, 1).
Solution: We know that the point from which lengths of tangents are equal in length is radical centre of
the given three circles. Now radical axis of the first two circles is
(x2 + y2  1)  (x2 + y2  8x + 15) = 0
i.e., x  2 = 0 ...(i)
and radical axis of the second and third circles is
(x2 + y2  8x + 15)  (x2 + y2 + 10y + 24) = 0
i.e., 8x + 10y + 9 = 0 ...(ii)
solving (i) and (ii), the coordinates of radical centre i.e., of point P are P(2, 5/2).
Now centre of the circle touching the line x + y = 5 at (6, 1) lie on the line  to x + y = 5 at
(6, 1)
i.e., on x  y = 7. Let centre be (h, k).
Then
hk=7
i.e., h = k + 7. Also circle passes through the points (6, 1) and P(2, 5/2)
 2(k + 1)2 = (k + 5)2 + (k + 5/2)2
 (h  6)2 + (k + 1)2 = (h  2)2 + (k + 5/2)2
i.e., 4k + 2 = 15k + 125/4 i.e., k =  117/44.
 h = 191/44,  The required circle is
2 2 2 2
 191   117   191   117 
x    y    6    1  
 44   44   44   44 

191 117 449

i.e., x
2
y 2
 x  y  0
22 22 22

or 22x2 + 22y2  191x + 117y + 449 = 0.

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15 COMMON TANGENTS TO TWO CIRCLES

There are three types of common tangents.
1. Direct common tangent is a tangent touching two circles at different points and not
intersecting the line of centres between the centres.
2. Transverse common tangent is a tangent touching two circles at different points and
intersecting the line of centres between the centres.
3. Common tangent is a tangent touching two circles at the same point. Such tangent exist
only when the circles touch each other externally or internally.
For different positions of circles we have different cases. We denote the circles by S1 = 0,
S2 = 0. Let C1 and C2 be their centres and r1 and r2 their respective radii.
Case I: C1C2 > r1 + r2, r1  r2
In this case we have 4 common tangents, two direct and two transverse. Let direct
common tangents meet the line of centres at P and transverse common tangents meet at
Q. Then P divides C1C2 in the ratio r1 : r2 externally and Q divides C1C2 in the ratio r1 : r2
internally.
T .C . T a n g e n t

D .C . T a n g e n t
r1 Q
r2
P
C 1 C 2

D .C . T a n g e n t

To find direct common tangents, find equations of tangents to any of the two circles
through P and for transverse common tangents, find equations of tangents through Q to
any of the given circles.
Case II: C1C2 > r1 + r2, r1  r2
In this case we have 4 tangents, two direct common tangents, parallel to the line of centres
and two transverse common tangents meeting the line of centres C1C2 at Q.
For direct common tangents, find the tangents to any of the circle having slope m of the
line C1C2. For this we can use the results
y  y1 = m(x  x1) ± r1 (1 m2)

r1
r2
C 1 C 2
Q

where (x1, y1) is C1, r1 is the radius of circle S1 = 0 and m is the slope of C1C2 (line of

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centres).
For transverse common tangents, find Q which divides C1C2 in the ratio r1 : r2 internally.
Then find tangents from Q to any of the circle as in Case I.
Important Result: The common tangents direct or transverse (segments of common
tangents between their resp. points of contact) is bisected by their radical axis.
Case III: C1C2 = r1 + r2, r1  r2
In this case, the circles S1 = 0 and S2 = 0 touch each other externally. We have in all, 3
common tangents, one common tangent touching both circles at same point Q and two
direct common tangents meeting at P. Then Q divides C1C2 in the ratio r1: r2 internally and P
divides C1C2 ratio r1 : r2 externally. Equations of direct common tangents can be found as in
previous cases and common tangent by the result S1  S2 = 0. Thus we have a triangle ABP
formed by the common tangents.

T1

A
T2

r1 r2
P
C 1
Q C 2

Area of the  ABP: We have points P and Q. Clearly common tangent AB bisect T1T2.
1 1
 AP  BP  [ PT 1  PT 2 ]   { S 1 ( P )}  {S 2 ( P )} 
2 2

Since AB (S1  S2 = 0) is  to the line of centres AQP = 90°.

Therefore AQ = ( AP
2
 PQ 2
)

1
 area of  ABP = . 2AQ.PQ = AQ.PQ.
2

Case IV: C1C2 = r1 + r2, r1 = r2

In this case we have two direct common tangents parallel to the line of centres and one
common tangents S1  S2 = 0.

C 1 C 2

Thus in all three common tangents can be found.

Case V: |r1  r2| < C1C2 < r1 + r2, r1  r2
In this case we have only two direct common tangents, whose equations can be found as
in previous cases.

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P
C 1
C 2

Case VI: 0 < C1C2 < r1 + r2, r1 = r2

In this case, we have only two direct common tangents parallel to the line of centres.

C 1 C 2

Case VII: C1C2 = |r1  r2|, r1  r2

In this case circles touch each other internally. Therefore we have only one common
tangent S1  S2 = 0, touching both circles at same point.

Q
C 1 C 2

Case VIII: C1C2 = 0 or C1C2 < |r1  r2|

In this case, one circle is contained in the other. No common tangent can exist in this case.

c1
c2

Important Note : From the above discussions, it is clear that before proceeding to find the
equations of common tangents, their relative positions should be found and then proceed
accordingly.
I l l u str a ti on 2 5

Question: Find the coordinates of the point at which the circles x2 + y2 – 4x – 2y + 4 = 0 and
x2 + y2 – 12x – 8y + 36 = 0 touch each other. Also find the equations of common tangents
touching the circles in distinct points.
Solution: I Circle II Circle
Centre A(2, 1) B(6, 4)
Radius r 1  4 1  4 1 r2  36 16  36  4

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AB = 16 9  25 = 5 = 1 + 4 = r1 + r2
 the two circles touch externally.

1 P 4

Q A B (6 , 4 )
(2 , 1 )
 2 
 , 0

 3 

 14 8 
P, the point of contact, divides AB internally in the ratio 1 : 4 hence P is  ,  and Q which
 5 5 
2 
divides AB externally in the same ratio is  , 0  .
3 
The tangent from Q to the circle I will also be tangent to the circle II and hence will be a common
tangent touching the two circles in two distinct points.
If  be the angle that this tangent (actually there are two) makes with AB, then
1 1 3
sin   
AQ 16 5
1
9

3
 tan 
4
Now if ‘m’ be the slope of one of the common tangents from Q, then
3
m 
3 4  3 
 tan    slope of AB = 
4
1m
3  4 
4
16 m – 12 = 12 + 9m
24
7m = 24  m =
7

3
m 
4 3
If “m” be the slope of the other common tangent   m = 0
3 4
1m 
4
The two common tangents are
y–0=0y=0
i.e., the x-axis
24  2 
and y  0  x  
7  3 
7y = 24x – 16  24x – 7y – 16 = 0

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 Mathematics

P R O F I C I E N C Y T E S T I I I

The following questions deal with the basic concepts of this section. Answer the
following briefly. Go to the next section only if your score is greater than 80%. Do not consult
the study material while attempting the questions.
1. A circle passing through the points of intersection of the circles x2 + y2 + 10x + 3y  2 = 0
and x2 + y2  16 = 0 is 2x2 + 2y2 + 10x + 3y  18 = 0. (True/False).

2. The circle passing through the points of intersection of the line x + y = 4 and the circle
x2 + y2 = 16 and the point (10, 2) is............ .

3. The circle passing through origin and touching the circle (x2)2 + y2 = 22 at the point where
the line x = 4 touches it is..............

4. There is exactly one circle touching the line 2x + y = 4 at the point (1, 2) and having radius
4 units. (True/False).

5. The circle passing through (4, 0), (1, 2) and (0, 3) has the equation............ .

6. Find the value of  for which the circles x2 + y2 + x + 8y  3 = 0 and

x2 + y2 + 10x + 4y +  = 0 intersect orthogonally.

7. The radical axes of a system of three circles having non-collinear centres intersect at a
point called.............

8. The number of common tangents possible when two circles touch externally is........... .

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A N S W E R S T O P R O F I C I E N C Y T E S T I I I

1. True

2. x2 + y2  11x  11y + 28 = 0

3. The given circle itself

4. False

5. 7x2 + 7y2 19x  9y  36 = 0

6. 24

7. radical centre

8. 3

S O L V E D O B J E C T IV E E X A M P L E S

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 Mathematics

Example 1:
If the two circles (x  1) + (y  3) = r and x + y  8x + 2y + 8 = 0 intersect in two distinct points,
2 2 2 2 2

then
(a) 2 < r < 8 (b) r < 2
(c) r = 2 (d) r > 2
Solution:
Centres of the given circles are C1(1, 3) and C2(4, 1), and their radii, r1 = r and r2 = 3.
We know that the two circles touch,
externally if C1C2 = r1 + r2, and internally if C1C2 = |r1  r2|.
Thus the two circles will cut at two distinct points if
C1C2 > |r1  r2| and C1C2 < r1 + r2, i.e., if |r1  r2| < C1C2 < r1 + r2,
or if r  3 < 5 < r + 3 or if r < 8 and r > 2 or if 2 < r < 8, which is given in (A).
 (a)

Example 2:
The distance between the chords of contact of the tangent to the circle
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 from the origin and the point (g, f) is
1
(a) g2+ f 2 (b) (g
2
f 2
 c)
2

g
2
f 2
c g
2
f 2
c
(c) (d)
2 g
2
f 2
2 g
2
f 2

Solution:
Equations of the chords of contact of the tangents from origin (0, 0) and the point (g, f) on the given
circle are 0.x + 0.y + g(x + 0) + f(y + 0) + c = 0
or gx + fy + c = 0; ...(i)
and gx + fy + g(x + g) + f(y + f) + c = 0
1
or gx + fy + (g2 + f2 + c) = 0 ...(ii)
2
Obviously, (i) and (ii) are parallel.
 Distance between these two chords
1
(g
2
f 2 c) c
2 g
2
f2 c
  .
(g
2
f2) 2 (g
2
f2)
 (d)

Example 3:
The centre of a circle passing through the points (0, 0), (1, 0) and touching the circle x2 + y2 = 9 is
(a) (3/2, 1/2) (b) (1/3, 3/2)
(c) (1/2, 2) (d) (1/2, 2)
Solution:
Let the equation of the circle be x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 ...(i)
It passes through the points (0, 0) and (1, 0),
 c = 0 and 1 + 2g + c = 0;  g = 1/2.
Radius of circle (i) is r1  (g
2
f 2 c)  (1 / 4 f2 ).
2 2
The centre of the circle x + y = 9 ...(ii)
is (0, 0) and radius r2 = 3.
Since the circle (i) passes through the centre (0, 0) of circle (ii) and it also touches the circle (ii)
internally.
 Diameter of circle (i) = radius of circle (ii), i.e, 2r1 = r2
or 2 (1 / 4 f2 )  3  f2 = 2  f = ± 2 .

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 Mathematics

Hence the centre of circle (i) is (g, f), i.e., (1/2,  2 ) or (1/2, 2 ) .
Hence (c) and (d) are correct answer.

Example 4:
The angle between the tangents drawn from the origin to the circle (x  7)2 + (y + 1)2 = 25 is
(a) /3 (b) /6
(c) /2 (d) /8
Solution:
If y = mx is a tangent from the origin to the circle (x  7)2 + (y + 1)2 = 25, then
7m  ( 1)
 5 or 12m2 + 7m  12 = 0.
(m
2
 1)
If m1, m2 are its roots, then m1m2 = 12/12 = 1.
Hence the angle between the two tangents is /2,
So, (c) is correct answer. (Here origin lies on director circle of given circle)

Example 5:
A square is inscribed in the circle x2 + y2  2x + 4y + 3 = 0. Its sides are parallel to the coordinate
axes. Then one vertex of the square is
(a) (1  2,  2) (b) (1  2,  2)

(c) (1, 2 + 2) (d) none of these

Solution:
The centre of the given circle is (1, 2). Since the sides of the square inscribed in the circle are
parallel to the coordinate axes, so the x coordinate of any vertex cannot be equal to 1 and its y
coordinate cannot be equal to 2.
Hence none of the points given in (a), (b) or (c) can be the vertex of the square. Thus the correct
answer is (d).
 (d)

S O L V E D S U B J E C T IV E E X A M P L E S

Example 1:
Write the equations of the circles with radius 15 and touching the circle x2 + y2 = 100 at the

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 Mathematics

point (6, –8).

Solution:
The centre of the circle x2 + y2 = 100 is the point (0,0).
 the centres of the required circles must lie on the line joining (0,0) and (6, –8).
The equation of this line is 4x + 3y = 0.
Using (h, k) for the centre, we have 4h + 3k = 0 … (i)
2 2
and (h – 6) + (k + 8) = 225 … (ii)
Solving the equations (i) and (ii), the coordinates of the two centres are (–3, 4) and (15, –20).
The equations of the two circles are (x + 3)2 + (y – 4)2 = 225
and (x – 15)2 + (y + 20)2 = 225.
Alternatively,
The tangent at (6, –8) to x2 + y2 – 100 = 0 is 3x – 4y – 50 = 0 (xx1 + yy1 – r2 = 0).
The required circle is a member of the system
x2 + y2 – 100 + k (3x – 4y – 50) = 0 … (i)
2
9k
The (radius)2 of this circle is  4 k 2  100  50 k and this is equal to 225 for the required circle.
4

 25k2 + 200 k – 500 = 0

k2 + 8k – 20 = 0  (k + 10) (k – 2) = 0 From (i),
For k = –10, first circle is x2 + y2 – 30x + 40y + 400 = 0.
For k = +2, second circle is x2 + y2 + 6x – 8y – 200 = 0.

Example 2:
Consider a family of circles passing through two fixed points A(3, 7) and B(6, 5). Show that the chords
in which the circle x2 + y2 – 4x – 6y – 3 = 0 cuts the members of the family are concurrent. Find
the coordinates of the point.
Solution:
Any circle through A and B is required. Take this as the circle with AB as diameter.
x 3 x 6  y  7 y  5  0 i.e., x + y2 – 9x – 12y + 53 = 0
2

y  5 2
Equation to AB 
x  6 3
– 3y + 15 = 2x – 12
2x + 3y – 27 = 0.
The equation to the family is x2 + y2 – 9x – 12y + 53 + K(2x + 3y – 27) = 0
This circle intersects x2 + y2 – 4x – 6y – 3 = 0 along the chord
– 5x – 6y + 56 + K(2x + 3y – 27) = 0.
This represents for various values of K (each value of K gives a member of the family) straight
lines which pass through the point of intersection of,
– 5x – 6y + 56 = 0
 23 
and 2x + 3y – 27 = 0 i.e., the point  2 ,  which is same for all K.
 3 

Example 3:
A circle touches the line y = x at a point P such that OP = 4 2 where O is the origin. The circle
contains (10, 2) as an interior point. The length of the its chord on the line x + y = 0 is 6 2.
Determine the equation of the circle.

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 Mathematics

Solution: x + y = 0
B
If (10, 2) is an interior point, the circle is more likely
to touch x  y = 0 at P(4, 4) in the 3 quadrant
rd
M ( 5 , 5 )

since OP  4 2 . ( 9 , 1 )
x A x y = 0
The line x + y = 0 meets the circle at A and B such
( 1 0 , 2 ) (C )

that AB 6 2; CM = OP = 4 2 and O

1
AM  AB 3 2.
P
2

CA  CM
2
 AM 2
5 2  radius of the circle =
CP.

 C lies on PC whose equation is x + y + 8 = 0 and on CM whose equation is x  y + 10 = 0.

This is for the reason that if M be (x, x) then x 2  x 2  5 2 giving x = 5 i.e, M is (5, 5).
x + y + 8 = 0 and x  y + 10 = 0 when solved simultaneously fixes the centre at (9, 1).
the equation to the circle is (x + 9)2 + (y  1)2 = ( 5 2 )
2

i.e., x
2
y 2
 18 x  2 y  32  0 ...(i)
Substituting x = 10, y = 2 on the L.H.S. of the above equation, we get
100 + 4  180  4 + 32 =  48 < 0.
(10, 2) lies inside the circle.
Hence the circle (i) is the required circle since it satisfies all the conditions stated in the problem.

Example 4:
Find the equation of the circles which pass through the ends of the common chords of two circles
2x2 + 2y2 + 8x + 4y  7 = 0 and x2 + y2  8x  4y  5 = 0 and touch the line x = 7.
Solution:
The equation to the common chord of the two given circles is
2x2 + 2y2 + 8x + 4y  7  2(x2 + y2  8x  4y  5) = 0 i.e., 24x + 12y + 3 = 0 i.e., 8x + 4y + 1 = 0
Any circle through the points of intersection of this line and the circle
x2 + y2  8x  4y  5 = 0, is of the form x2 + y2  8x  4y  5 +  (8x + 4y + 1) = 0
This meets x = 7, at points whose ordinates are given by
49 + y2  56  4y  5 + (56 + 4y + 1) = 0 i.e., y2 + 4(  1) y + 57  12 = 0
This quadratic has equal roots since x = 7 is to be a tangent.
16(  1)2  4(57  12) = 0, i.e., 42  65 + 16 = 0  (4  1) (  16) = 0
1
= ;  16
4

1 1
one circle is x + y  8x  4y  5 +
2 2
For  = (8x + 4y + 1) = 0
4 4

i.e, 4( x
2
y 2
)  24 x  12 y  19  0
For  = 16, 2 circle is x2 + y2  8x  4y  5 + 16(8x + 4y + 1) = 0
nd

i.e, x
2
y 2
 120 x  60 y  11  0

Example 5:
(i) Find the locus of the point of intersection of the tangents at the ends of a chord of the circle
x2 + y2 = a2 which touches the circle x2 + y2  2ax = 0.
(ii) Find locus of middle points of circle x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0, which pass through a fixed
point (a, b).
Solution:

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(i) Let (x1, y1) be one such point. Chord of contact of tangents from (x1, y1) to x2 + y2 = a2 is
xx1 + yy1  a2 = 0. This line is a tangent to x2 + y2  2ax = 0 whose centre is (a, 0) and radius = a.
ax a2
 1
 a ;  (x1  a )2  x1
2
 y 12 i.e,, 2
y1  a 2  2 ax 1
x1
2
y1
2

Locus of (x1, y1) is y

2
 a ( a  2 x ).
2 2
(ii) S  x + y + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 . Let middle point of a chord be P(x1, y1)
Then equation of chord is T = S1
 xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c.
It passes through (a, b); condition is
ax1 + by1 + g(a + x1) + f(b + y1) = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1
Locus of (x1, y1) as ax + by + g(a + x) + f(b + y) = x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy
or x2 + y2 + x(g  a) + y(f  b)  ag  bf = 0.

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 Mathematics

M IN D M A P

 L e n g th o f c h o r d V a r io u s F o r m s : C o n d itio n s fo r
2 2
in te r c e p te d b y a lin e a x + 2 h x y + b y + 2 g x + 2 fy + c = 0 to
 C e n tr e r a d iu s fo rm : ( x h ) + ( y k ) = r
2 2 2
r e p r e s e n t a c ir c le :
2
= 2 r p2
 D ia m e te r fo rm : (x x 1 ) (x x 2 )+ ( y y 1 ) ( y y 2 ) = 0 g
2
f
2
c
 L e n g th o f ta n g e n t fr o m a = b, h = 0,
2
 2
 0
a a a
( x 1 , y 1 ) to S = 0  2 2
G e n e r a l fo rm : x + y + 2 g x + 2 fy + c = 0 ,

= S1
2
g + f
2
c > 0
2 2
( c o e ff. o f x and y = 1)
 P a r a m e tr ic fo rm : x = h + r c o s , y = k + r s in 
P o s itio n o f a p o in t w . r .t. a
 C h o r d o f c o n ta c t: T = 0 T h r e e p o in t fo rm :
c ir c le
2
x y2 x y 1
 C h o r d g iv e n its
m id p o in t a s ( x 1 , y 1 ) : x1
2
 y12 x1 y1 1  If S 1 > 0  p o in t is o u ts id e th e
2 2
0 c ir c le .
T = S1 x2 y2 x2 y 1
2
2
 If S 1 = 0  p o in t is o n th e c ir c le .
x3 y32 x3 y 3 1
 C o n d itio n o f  If S 1 < 0  p o in t is in s id e th e
o r th o g o n a lity : c ir c le .

2 g g + 2 ff = c + c 
’

L in e a n d a C ir c le
 R a d ic a l A x is : S S = 0
C IR C L E S  In te r s e c t if p < r o r D > 0
T a k e s th e fo rm o f
 T o u c h if p = r o r D = 0
co m m o n ch o rd a n d
c o m m o n ta n g e n t a ls o .  N e ith e r in te r s e c t n o r to u c h
 T a n g e n t a t (x 1, y 1) 2 2
o n x + y + 2 g x + 2 fy + c = 0 if p > r o r D < 0
is x x 1 + y y 1 + g ( x + x 1 ) + f( y + y 1 ) + c = 0
or T = 0
F a m ily o f c ir c le s :
 T h r o u g h in te r s e c tio n o f
 N o rm a l a t ( x 1 , y 1) o n x
2
+ y
2
+ 2 g x + 2 fy + c = 0
C ir c le a n d C ir c le
S = 0 & S  =0 : if |r r | < C C  < r + r ,
 I n te r s e c t
y  y1 x  x1
S +  S = 0  2 c o m m o n ta n g e n ts .
y1  f x1  g
 1
 T h r o u g h in te r s e c tio n o f  T ouch e x te r n a lly if C C = r + r ,
S = 0 & L = 0 : S + L =0  C o n d itio n o f ta n g e n c y o f y = m x + c o n
3 c o m m o n ta n g e n ts .
2 2 2 2 2 2
x +y =a : c = a (1 + m )
 T o u c h in g S = 0 a t th e
p o in t  T ouch in te r n a lly if C C  = |r r |,
w h e r e L = 0 to u c h e s it:  J o in t e q u a tio n o f ta n g e n ts d r a w n fr o m 1 c o m m o n ta n g e n ts .
2
S + L = 0
( x 1 , y 1 ) to S = 0 : T = SS1

 T o u c h in g L = 0  fa r a p a r t if C C  > r + r ,
a t (x 1, y 1): 4 c o m m o n ta n g e n ts .
( x x 1 ) + ( y y 1 ) + L
2 2
= 0
 O n e c irc le in s id e o th e r
 P a s s in g th r o u g h ( x 1 , y 1 )
a n d (x 2, y 2): if C C  < | r r |,
( x x 1 )( x x 2 ) + ( y y 1 ) (y y 2 ) n o c o m m o n ta n g e n t.

x y 1
+  x1 y1 1 0
x2 y2 1

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E X E R C IS E I

CBSE PROBLEMS

1. Find the centre and radius of the following circles:

(i) 1 x2 y 2
0 (ii) x
2
y 2
 2x  4y  8

2. (i) Find the equation of the circle with centre (0, 1) and radius 1.

(ii) Find the equation of the circle with centre (a, b) and radius a
2
b2.
(iii) Find the equation of the circle whose centre is (h, k) and which passes through the
point (p, q).
(iv) Prove that the centres of the three circles x2 + y2  4x  6y  12 = 0 and
x2 + y2 + 2x + 4y  10 = 0 and x2 + y2  10x  16y  1 = 0 are collinear.
3. (i) Find the equation of a circle passing through (0, 0), (a, 0) & (0, b).
(ii) Show that the four points (0, 0), (1, 1), (5, 5) and (6, 4) are concyclic.
4. (i) Find the equation of the circle passing through the vertices of the triangle whose
sides are along x + y = 2, 3x  4y = 6 and x  y = 0.
(ii) Find the equation of the circle which circumscribes the triangle formed by lines x = 0,
y = 0 and lx + my = 1.
5. Find the equation of circle that passes through the points (1, 0), (–1, 0) and (0, 1).
6. Find the equation of the circle concentric with the circle 2x
2
 2y 2
 8 x  12 y  18  0 and

passing through the point (–4, –5).

7. Find the equation of circle whose centre is (2, –3) and which passes through the
intersection of lines 3x  2 y  11 and 2x  3y  4 .
8. Give the parametric form of the circle:

(i) x
2
y 2
9 (ii) 2x
2
 2y 2  5x  7y  3  0

9. Find the equation of the circle drawn on the diagonal of the rectangles as its diameter
whose sides are x = 4, x = –2, y = 5 and y = –2.
10. Find the equation of circle which passes through the origin and cuts off intercepts 3 and 4
from the positive parts of the x-axis and y-axis respectively.

 a    y  a   a 2 is rolled on the y-axis in the positive direction through

2 2
11. The circle x

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one complete revolution. Find the equation of circle in its new position.
12. Find the co-ordinates of point of intersection of the line y 1x and the circle

x
2
y 2
 25 .

13. Show that line x  y  5 touches the circle x

2
y 2
 2x  4y  3  0 .

14. Find the equation of the tangent to circle x

2
y 2
 26 x  12 y  105  0 at point (7, 2).

15. Find the equations of the tangents to the circle x

2
y 2
 6 x  4 y  12  0 , which are

parallel to the straight line 4x  3y  5  0 .

16. Find the length of tangent to the circle x

2
y 2
 9 from the point (4, 3).

17. Find the length of tangent drawn from any point on the circle x
2
y 2
 2 gx  2 fy  c  0

to the circle x
2
y 2
 2 gx  2 fy  c 1  0
18. (i) Find the equation of the circle passing through the point of intersection of the lines
x + 3y = 0 and 2x  7y = 0 and whose centre is the point of intersection of the lines
x + y + 1 = 0 and x  2y + 4 = 0.
(ii) Find the equation of the circle which has its centre at the point (3, 4) and touches the
straight line 5x + 12y  1 = 0.
(iii) Find the equation of the circle which passes through the points (1, 2) and (3, 2) and
whose centre lies on the line x  2y = 0.
19. Find the equations of the circles which pass through the origin and cut off equal chords

of 2 units from the lines y = x and y = x.

20. (i) Find the length of tangent drawn from the point (6, 7) to the circle
3x2 + 3y2  7x  6y = 12.
(ii) If the lengths of tangents from the point (1, 2) to the circles x2 + y2 + x + y  4 = 0 and
3x2 + 3y2  x  y  k = 0 be in the ratio 3 : 4, find the value of k.

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E X E R C IS E II

NEET-SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. If 2x
2
 xy  2 y 2
   4  x  6 y  5  0 is the equation of a circle, then its radius is

(a) 3 2 (b) 2 3 (c) 2 2 (d) none of these

2. The number of integral values of  for which x
2
y 2
 x  1   y  5  0 is the equation
of a circle whose radius cannot exceed 5, is
(a) 14 (b) 18
(c) 16 (d) none of these

3. The intercept on the line y  x by the circle x

2
y 2
 2 x  0 is AB. The equation of the
circle with AB as a diameter is
(a) x
2
y 2
x y 0 (b) x
2
y 2
 x y
(c) x
2
y 2
3x  y  0 (d) none of these

4. The length of the chord of the circle x

2
y 2
 9 passing through (3, 0) and perpendicular
to the line y  x  0 is
3
(a) units (b) 3 2 units
2

(c) 2 3 units (d) none of these

5. The number of common tangents to the circles x

2
y 2
 6 x  14 y  48  0 and
x
2
y 2
 6 x  0 is
(a) 1 (b) 2
(c) 0 (d) 4
 1
6. The angle between the pair of tangents from the point 1,  to the circle
 2

x
2
y 2
 4 x  2 y  4  0 is
1 4 1 4
(a) cos (b) sin
5 5

1 3
(c) sin (d) none of these
5

7. The line x  y  1 is a normal to the circle 2x

2
 2y 2
 5 x  6 y  1  0 if
(a) 5   6   2 (b) 4  5  6
(c) 4  6  5 (d) none of these

8. The equation of a chord of the circle x

2
y 2
 4 x  0 which is bisected at the point (1, 1)
is
(a) x y 2 (b) 3x y 2
(c) x  2y 1  0 (d) x y 0

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9. The equations x  a cos   b sin  and y  a sin   b cos , 0    2  represent

(a) a circle (b) a parabola
(c) an ellipse (d) a hyperbola

10. The lines 3x  4y + 4 = 0 and 6x  8y  8 = 0 are tangents to the same circle, then the
radius of the circle is
4 1
(a) (b)
5 2
2
(c) (d) none of these
3

11. The length of the tangent drawn from any point on the circle x
2
y 2
 2 gx  2 fy  c 1  0
to the circle x
2
y 2
 2 gx  2 fy  c 2  0 is

(a) c2  c 1 where c2  c1  0 (b) c1

2
 c2
2

(c) c1 c2 (d) c1 c2

12. If the straight line y  mx is outside the circle x

2
y 2
 20 y  90  0 , then
(a) m 3 (b) m 3
(c) |m |  3 (d) | m | 3

13. A square is formed by the two pairs of straight lines x

2
 8 x  12  0 and
y
2
 14 y  45  0 . A circle is inscribed in it. The centre of the circle is
(a) (7, 4) (b) (4, 7)
(c) (6, 5) (d) (5, 6)

14. If an equilateral triangle is inscribed in the circle x

2
y 2
 a 2 , the length of its each side
is
3
(a) 2a (b) a
2

(c) 3a (d) none of these

15. If the centroid of an equilateral triangle is (1, 1) and its one vertex is (–1, 2), then the
equation of its circumcircle is
(a) x
2
y 2
 2x  2y 3  0 (b) x
2
y 2
 2x  2y 3  0
(c) x
2
y 2
 2x  2y 3  0 (d) none of these

16. The range of values of   [ 0 , 2 ] for which 1  cos , sin  is an interior point of the
circle x
2
y 2
 1 is
 5  2 5
(a)  ,  (b)  , 
6 6   3 3 
 7  2 4
(c)  ,  (d)  , 
6 6   3 3 

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17. If (–3, 2) lies on the circle x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 which is concentric with the circle
x2 + y2 + 6x + 8y – 5 = 0, then c =
(a) 11 (b) –11
(c) 24 (d) – 47

18. The equation of the diameter of the circle (x – 2) 2 + (y + 1) 2 = 16 which bisects the chord
of the circle having the equation x – 2y – 3 = 0 is
(a) x + 2y + 3 = 0 (b) 2x + y – 3 = 0
(c) 2x + y + 3 = 0 (d) none of these

19. The coordinates of the point on the circle x2 + y2  12x  4y + 30 = 0 which is farthest from
the origin are
(a) (9, 3) (b) (8, 5)
(c) (12, 4) (d) none of these

20. The equation of the circle passing through (2, 0) and (0, 4) and having the minimum
radius is
(a) x2 + y2 + x + y = 3 (b) x2 + y2  2x  4y = 0
(c) x2 + y2  7x  y + 8 = 0 (d) none of these

21. If the curves ax2 + 4xy + 2y2 + x + y + 5 = 0 and ax2 + 6xy + 5y2 + 2x + 3y + 8 = 0 intersect
at four concyclic points then the value of a is
(a) 4 (b) 4
(c) 6 (d) 6

22. Two tangents to the circle x

2
y 2
 4 at the points A and B meet at P  4 , 0  . The area
of the quadrilateral PAOB, where O is the origin, is
(a) 4 (b) 6 2

(c) 4 3 (d) none of these

23. The locus of the centres of the circles passing through the intersection of the circles
x  y  1 and x  y  2 x  y  0 is
2 2 2 2

(a) a line whose equation is x  2 y  0

(b) a line whose equation is 2x y 1
(c) a circle
(d) a pair of lines

PA
24. A and B are points in the plane such that  K (constant) for all P on a circle. Then
PB
value of K cannot be equal to
(a) 2 (b) 1
1 3
(c) (d)
2 2

25. The tangents to the circle x2 + y2 = 169 at (5, 12) and (12, – 5) are
(a) parallel (b) perpendicular
(c) coincident (d) none of these

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 Mathematics

E X E R C IS E III

IIT-JEE – SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. If the circle x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 bisects the circumference of the circle

x2 + y2 + 2g1x + 2f1y + c1 = 0, then the condition is
(a) 2g1(g  g1) + 2f1(f  f1) = c1  c (b) 2g1(g  g1) + 2f1(f  f1) = c  c1
(c) 2g1(g  g1) + 2f1(f  f1) = c + c1 (d) none of these

2. The angle between a pair of tangents from a point P to the circle

x
2
y 2
 4 x  6 y  9 sin 2   13 cos
2
  0 is 2. The equation of the locus of P is
(a) x
2
y 2
 4x 6y  4  0 (b) x
2
y 2
 4x 6y 9  0
(c) x
2
y 2
 4x 6y 4  0 (d) x
2
y 2
 4x 6y 9  0

3. Let AB be a chord of the circle x

2
y 2
 r 2 subtending a right angle at the centre. Thus
the locus of the centroid of the triangle PAB as P moves on the circle is
(a) a parabola (b) a circle
(c) an ellipse (d) a pair of straight lines

4. Let PQ and RS be tangent at the extremities of the diameter PR of a circle of radius r. If

PS and RQ intersect at a point X on the circumference of the circle, then 2r equals
PQ  RS
(a) PQ . RS (b)
2

2 PQ . RS PQ
2
 RS 2

(c) (d)
PQ  RS 2

5. If a  2 b  0 , then the positive value of m for which y  mx  b 1m

2
is a common
tangent to x
2
y 2
 b 2 and x a  y
2 2
 b 2 is

2b a
2
 4b 2 2b b
(a) (b) (c) (d)
a
2
 4b 2 2b a  2b a  2b

6. Given that the circles x

2
y 2
 2 x  6 y  6  0 and x
2
y 2
 5 x  6 y  15  0 touch, the
equation to their common tangent is
(a) x = 3 (b) y = 6
(c) 7 x  2 y  21  0 (d) 7 x  12 y  21  0

7. The chord of contact of tangents drawn from any point on the circle x
2
y 2
 a 2 to the
circle x
2
y 2
 b 2 touches x
2
y 2
 c 2 . Then a, b, c are in
(a) G.P. (b) A.P. (c) H.P. (d) none of these

8. If a circle passes through the points of intersection of the lines 2x  y 1  0 and

x  y  3  0 with the axes of reference, then the value of  is
1
(a) (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) –2
2

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9. Two circles, each of radius 5, have a common tangent at (1, 1) whose equation is
3 x  4 y  7  0 . Then their centres are

(a) 4 ,  5 ,   2 , 3 (b) 4 ,  3 ,   2 , 5

(c)  4 , 5 ,   2 , 3 (d) none of these

10. A circle touches the y-axis at (0, 2) and has an intercept of 4 units on the positive side of
the x-axis. Then the equation of the circle is
(a) x
2
y 2
 4 2x  y  4  0 (b) x
2
y 2
 4 x  2y  4 0

(c) x
2
y 2
 2 2x  y  4  0 (d) none of these

11. Two distinct chords drawn from the point p , q  on the circle x
2
y 2
 px  qy , where
pq  0 are bisected by the x-axis, then
(a) p  q (b) p
2
 8q 2

(c) p
2
 8q 2 (d) p
2
 8q 2

12. The chords of contact of the pair of tangents to the circle x

2
y 2
 1 drawn from any
point on the line 2x  y  4 pass through the point
1 1  1 1
(a)  ,  (b)  , 
2 4  4 2

 1 1 
(c) 1,  (d)  , 1 
 2 2 

13. The equation of the smallest circle passing through the intersection of the line x y 1
and the circle x
2
y 2
 9 is
(a) x
2
y 2
 x  y 8  0 (b) x
2
y 2
 x y 8  0
(c) x
2
y 2
 x  y 8  0 (d) none of these

14. The equation of a circle is x

2
y 2
 4 . The centre of the smallest circle touching this
circle and the line x y 5 2 has the coordinates
 7 7  3 3 
(a)  ,  (b)  , 
2 2 2 2  2 2 
 7 7 
(c)   ,   (d) none of these
 2 2 2 2 

15. The locus of the centres of circles passing through the origin and intersecting the fixed
circle x
2
y 2
 5 x  3 y  1  0 orthogonally is
3
(a) a straight line of the slope (b) a circle
5
(c) a pair of straight lines (d) none of these

16. A line parallel to the line x  3 y  2 touches the circle x

2
y 2
 4 x  2 y  5  0 at the
point
(a) 1,  4  (b) 1, 2 

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(c) 3 , 4  (d) 3 , 2 
2 2
17. Equation of the circle touching the circle x + y – 15x + 5y = 0 at the point (1, 2) and
passing through the point (0, 2) is
(a) 13x2 + 13y2– 13x  16y + 70 = 0 (b) x2 + y2 + 2x = 0
(c) 13x2 + 13y2 – 13x + 61y + 9 = 0 (d) none of these

18. Circles are drawn through (2, 0) to cut intercept of length 5 units on the x-axis. If their
centres lie in the first quadrant, then their equation is
(a) x2 + y2 – 9x + 2fy + 14 = 0 (b) 3x2 + 3y2 + 27x – 2fy + 42 = 0
2 2
(c) x + y – 9x – 2fy + 14 = 0 (d) x2 + y2 – 2fx – 9y + 14 = 0

19. If from any point P on the circle x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0, tangents are drawn to the circle
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c sin2 + (g2 + f2)cos2 = 0, then the angle between the tangents is
(a)  (b) 2
(c) /2 (d) /4

20. The area of the triangle formed by the tangent and normal at point (4, 3) to the circle
x2 + y2 = 25 and x-axis is
(a) 75/4 (b) 75/8
(c) 25/4 (d) none of these
21. The equation of the circle cutting orthogonally the three circles:
x2 + y2  2x + 3y  7 = 0,
x2 + y2 + 5x  5y + 9 = 0,
x2 + y2 + 7x  9y + 29 = 0, is
(a) x2 + y2  16x  18y  4 = 0 (b) x2 + y2  7x + 11y + 6 = 0
(c) x2 + y2 + 2x  8y + 9 = 0 (d) none of these

22. Points (2, 0), (0, 1), (4, 5) and (0, a) are concyclic for a equal to
(a) 14/3 or 1 (b) 14 or 1/3
(c) 14/3 or 1 (d) none of these

23. A member of the family of the circles that cuts all the members of the family of circles
x
2
y 2
 2 gx  c  0 orthogonally, where c is constant and g is a parameter, is
 2    y  1  4  c
2 2
(a) x (b)
 1   y  2   4  c
2 2
x

 y  2   4  c
2
(c) x
2
(d) none of these

24. The locus of a point which moves in a plane so that the sum of the squares of its
distances from the lines ax  by  c  0 and bx  ay  d  0 is r
2
, is a circle of radius

(a) r a
2
b2 (b) r

(c) r a
2
b2 (d) 2r

25. The locus of the point, the sum of the squares of whose distances from n fixed points
A i  x i , y i , i  1, 2 , ....., n is equal to k
2
, is a circle
(a) passing through the origin
(b) with centre at the origin

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(c) with centre at the point of mean position of the given points
(d) none of these

E X E R C IS E IV
ONE OR MORE THAN ONE CHOICE CORRECT

1. If the area of the quadrilateral formed by the tangent from the origin to the circle
x
2
y 2
 6 x  10 y    0 and the pair of radii at the points of contact of these tangents
to the circle is 8 square units, then the value of  must be
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 16 (d) 32

2. If a cos 1 , a sin  2 , a cos 2 , a sin  2  and a cos 3 , a sin  3  represents the vertices of
an equilateral triangle inscribed in a circle, then
(a) cos 1  cos  2  cos  3  0 (b) sin 1  sin  2  sin  3  0
(c) tan 1  tan  2  tan  3  0 (d) cot 1  cot  2  cot  3  0

3. C1 : x
2
y 2
 25 , C 2
: x
2
y 2
 2 x  4 y  7  0 be two circles intersecting at A and B
(a) equation of common chord of C1 and C 2 must be x  2y 9  0
(b) equation of common chord must be x  2y  7  0
 25 50 
(c) tangents at A and B to the circle C1 intersect at  , 
 9 9 
(d) tangents at A and B to the circle C1 intersect at 1, 2 

4. The equation of a tangent to the circle x

2
y 2
 25 passing through the point   2 , 11  is
(a) 4x  3 y  25 (b) 7x  24 y  320
(c) 3x  4 y  38 (d) 24 x  7 y  125  0

5. The line x  y  2 intersects the circle x

2
y 2
 3 at two points. The equation(s) of the
straight line(s) joining the origin and the points of intersection is (are)
(a) x  3  2 2 y 0 (b) x  3  2 2 y 0

(c) 3 2 2 x y 0 (d) 3 2 2 x y 0

6. If the circles x
2
y 2
 9 and x
2
y 2
 2 x  2 y  1  0 touches each other, then  may
be
4 4
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c)  (d)
3 3

7. Let x
2
y 2
 4 x  1  0 be a circle and P  ,   1  be a point, then
(a) P lies out side the circle if  > 0
(b) length of tangent from P to the circle is least when  = 0
(c) length of tangent from P to the circle is least when  = –3
(d) all above
8. If OP and OQ are the tangents from (0, 0) to the circle x
2
y 2
 2 gx  2 fy  c  0 , then
(a) equation of PQ is gx  fy  0
(b) equation of PQ is gx  fy  c  0

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(c) equation of circle OPQ is x

2
y 2
 gx  fy  0
(d) equation of circle OPQ is x
2
y 2
 2 gx  2 fy  0
9. The parametric equation of a circle is given by x  3 cos   2 , y  3 sin  . Then its
(a) centre = (–2, 0) (b) radius = 3
(c) centre = (2, 0) (d) radius = 1

10. A point P  3 , 1 moves on the circle x

2
y 2
 4 and after covering a quarter of the circle
leaves it tangentially. The equation of a line along which the point moves after leaving the
circle is
(a) y  3x 4 (b) 3y  x 4

(c) 3y  x 4 (d) y  3x 4

 a    y  a  = a2. The radius of a circle touching all

2 2
11. The equations of four circles are x

the four circles is

(a)  2  1 a (b) 2 2a

(c)  2  1 a (d) 2  2 a

12. The equation of a circle C1 is x

2
y 2
 4 . The locus of the intersection of orthogonal
tangents to the circle is the curve C 2 and the locus of the intersection of perpendicular
tangents to the curve C 2 is the curve C 3 . Then
(a) C 3 is a circle
(b) the area enclosed by the curve C 3 is 8
(c) C 2 and C 3 are circles with the same centre
(d) none of these

13. The equation of a circle in which the chord joining the points (1, 2) and (2, –1) subtends

an angle of at any point on the circumference is
4

(a) x
2
y 2
5  0 (b) x
2
y 2
 6x  2y  5  0
(c) x
2
y 2
 6 x  2 y  15  0 (d) x
2
y 2
 7 x  2 y  14  0

14. The equation of tangents to the circle x

2
y 2
 6 x  6 y  9  0 drawn from origin are
(a) x  y (b) x = 0
(c) y 0 (d) x y 0

15. An isosceles triangle ABC is inscribed in a circle x

2
y 2
 a 2 with the vertex A at (a, 0)
and the base angles B and C each equal to 75°, then coordinates of end point of the base
are
 3a a   3a a 
(a)  , 
 (b)  , 

 2 2   2 2 

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 3a a   3a a 
(c)  ,   (d)  ,  
 2 2  2 2 
   

E X E R C IS E V
MATCH THE FOLLOWING

Note: Each statement in column – I has one or more than one match in column - II
1.
Column I Column II
I. The equation of a circle is x 2  y 2  4 . A regular polygon
of 12 sides is inscribed in the circle whose one vertex is A.  3,  1
(2, 0). Then a consecutive vertex has the co-ordinates
II. P 1,  3 is a point on the circle x
2
y 2
 4 and Q is

another point on the circle such that arc PQ is one fourth B.  3 , 1

of circumference. Then co-ordinate of Q will be

x
III. A point on the line y  from which the tangents
3 C.  3,  1
drawn to the circle x  y  2 are at right angles is 2 2

IV. The point of contact of a tangent from the point (0, 4) to

D.  3 , 1
the circle x 2  y 2  4 has the co-ordinates

Note: Each statement in column – I has one or more than one match in column - II

2. Let x
2
y 2
 2 gx  2 fy  c  0 be a circle.

Column I Column II
I. Circle lie in 1st quadrant, then A. g<0
II. Circle lie above x-axis, then B. g>0
III. Circle lie on the left of y-axis, then C. g
2
c  0
IV. Circle touches positive x-axis and not intersecting
D. c > 0
y-axis, then

Note: Each statement in column – I has one or more than one match in column - II
3.

Column I Column II
I. A line is drawn through the point P ( 3 , 11 ) to cut the circle
A. 1
x  y 2  9 at A and B. Then PA  PB is equal to
2

II. If the chord y  mx  1 subtends an angle of measure 45° at the

B. 121
major segment of the circle x
2
y 2
 1 , then value of m is
III. Two circles x 2  y 2  px  py  13  0 and x 2  y 2  10 x  2 py  1  0
C. 2
will cut orthogonally if the value of p is
IV. The maximum number of points with rational co-ordinates on the D. 7

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circle whose centre is  5, 0 is

REASONING TYPE

Directions: Read the following questions and choose

(A) If both the statements are true and statement-2 is the correct explanation of
statement-1.
(B) If both the statements are true but statement-2 is not the correct explanation of
statement-1.
(C) If statement-1 is True and statement-2 is False.
(D) If statement-1 is False and statement-2 is True.

1. Statement-1: Two orthogonal circles intersect to generate a common chord (formed on

minor arc) which subtends complementary angles at the points on major arc
of their circumferences.
Statement-2: Angles subtended at centre are supplementary.
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D

2. Statement-1: The ratio of maximum distance and minimum distance between two
non-intersecting circles is always more than 1.
Statement-2: Distance between centres should be more the than sum of radii so that two
circles do not intersect.
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D

3. Statement-1: The equation of chord of the circle x 2  y 2

 6 x  10 y 9 0 which is
bisected at   2 , 4  must be x  y  2  0 .
Statement-2: In notations the equation of the chord of the circle S = 0 bisected at x 1 , y 1 
must be T  S 1 .
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D

4. Statement-1: If a line L = 0 is a tangent to the circle S = 0, then it will also be a tangent to

the circle S  L  0 .
Statement-2: If a line touches a circle, then perpendicular distance from centre of the
circle on the line must be equal to the radius.
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D

5. Statement-1: The farthest point on the circle x

2
y 2
 2 x  4 y  4  0 from the origin is
 1 2 
1  , 2   .
 5 5 
Statement-2: The top most vertical point on a circle is the point situated at maximum
distance from origin.
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D

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LINKED COMPREHENSION TYPE

Equation of circumcircle of a ABC, whose sides are given as AB  L 1  0, BC  L2  0 ,

CA  L 3  0 is L 1L 2  L 2 L 3  L 3 L 1  0 , where  and  are such that coefficient of
x
2
= coefficient of y
2
and coefficient of xy = 0.

1. If L 1L 2  L 2 L 3  L 3 L 1  0 is such that  = 0, then it represents

(a) a circle if  is also equal to 0 (b) a pair of straight line
(c) can not decide unless  is given (d) none of these

2. L 1L 2
2
 L 2 L 23  L 3 L 21  0 represents
(a) a curve passing through A, B and C
(b) a circle if coefficient of x
2
= coefficient of y
2
and coefficient of xy = 0
(c) a parabola
(d) pair of straight lines

3. L1  0, L2 0 be two distinct parallel lines L3 0 and L4 0 be two other distinct

parallel lines which are not parallel to L1  0 and L2  0 . The equation of a circle passing
through the vertices of the parallelogram must be of the form
(a) L 1 L 4  L 2 L 3  0 (b) L 1 L 3  L 2 L 4  0
(c) L 1 L 2  L 3 L 4  0 (d) none of these

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E X E R C IS E VI

SUBJECTIVE PROBLEMS

1. If the equation of one tangent from the origin to the circle with centre at (2, –1) is
3x + y = 0, find the equation of the other tangent.

2. From a point A(2, 2) two chords AB and AC of 1 unit length are drawn to the circle
x2 + y2 = 8. Find equation of its chord BC.

3. Tangents are drawn to x2 + y2 = 9 from the point (4, 3). Find the area of the triangle
formed by the two tangents and the chord of contact.

4. A point moves so that the sum of the squares of its distances from the four sides of a
square is constant. Prove that it always lies on a circle.

5. From a point on the line 4x – 3y = 6, tangents are drawn to the circle

 24 
x2 + y2 – 6x – 4y + 4 = 0 which make an angle of tan–1   between them.
 7 
Find the coordinates of all such points and the equations of the tangents.

6. Tangents AB, AC are drawn to the circle x2 + y2 = a2 from the point A( x1, y1) touching the
circle at B and C. Show that the equation of the circumcircle of ABC is
x2 + y2 – xx1 – yy1 = 0.

7. Consider a curve ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 1 and a point P not on the curve. A line drawn from the
point P intersects the curve at points Q and R. If the product PQ  PR is independent of the
slope of the line, then show that the curve is a circle.

8. From the point A(0, 3) on the circle x2 + 4x + (y  3)2 = 0, a chord AB is drawn and
extended to a point M such that AM = 2AB. Find the equation of the locus of M.

9. The centre of a circle lies on the line 2x – 2y + 9 = 0. The circle cuts x2 + y2 = 4 orthogonally.
Show that the circle passes through two fixed points.

10. C1 and C2 are two concentric circles, the radius of C2 being twice that of C1. From a point
P on C2 tangents PA and PB are drawn to C1. Prove that the centroid of the PAB lies on
C1.

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ANSWERS

E X E R C IS E I

CBSE PROBLEMS

1. (i) (0, 0), 1 (ii) (1, –2), 13

2. (i) x2 + y2 + 2y = 0 (ii) x
2
y 2
 2 ax  2 by  2 b 2  0
(iii) x2 + y2  2hx  2ky   q2 + 2hp + 2kq = 0
2
p

3. (i) x2 + y2  ax  by = 0
1 1
4. (i) x2 + y2 + 4x + 6y  12 = 0 (ii) x
2
y 2
 x  y 0
l m

5. x
2
y 2
1 6. x
2
y 2
 4 x  6 y  87  0
7. x
2
y 2
 4x  6y  3  0
8. (i) x  3 cos , y  3 sin , 0    2
5 7 2 7 7 2
(ii) x   cos , y   sin , 0    2
4 4 4 4
2 2
 3 5 
y  2 x  3 y  18  0 x    y  2    
2 2 2
9. x 10.
 2 2 
 a   y  a  2 a   a 2
2 2
11. x 12. (3, 4) and (–4, –3)
14. 3x  4 y  13  0 15. 4x  3 y  19  0 and
4x  3 y  31  0

16. 4 17. c1 c

18. (i) x2 + y2 + 4x  2y = 0 (ii) 169(x2 + y2  6x  8y) + 381 = 0

(iii) x2 + y2  4x  2y  5 = 0
19. x2 + y2 ± 2y = 0, x2 + y2 ± 2x = 0
44
20. (i) 243 units (ii)
9

E X E R C IS E II

NEET-SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. (d) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (d)

6. (b) 7. (c) 8. (d) 9. (a) 10. (a)

11. (a) 12. (d) 13. (b) 14. (c) 15. (a)

16. (d) 17. (b) 18. (b) 19. (a) 20. (b)

21. (b) 22. (c) 23. (a) 24. (b) 25. (b)

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E X E R C IS E III
IIT-JEE-SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (a) 5. (a)

6. (a) 7. (a) 8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (a)

11. (d) 12. (a) 13. (b) 14. (a) 15. (d)

16. (b) 17. (d) 18. (a) 19. (b) 20. (b)

21. (a) 22. (a) 23. (c) 24. (b) 25. (c)

E X E R C IS E IV

ONE OR MORE THAN ONE CHOICE CORRECT

1. (a), (d) 2. (a), (b) 3. (a), (c) 4. (a), (d) 5. (a), (b), (c), (d)

6. (c), (d) 7. (a), (b),(c), (d) 8. (b), (c) 9. (b), (c) 10. (b), (c)

11. (a), (c) 12. (a), (c) 13. (a),(b) 14. (b), (c) 15. (b), (c)

E X E R C IS E V
MATCH THE FOLLOWING

1. I-(B), (C); II-(A), (B); III-(C), (D); IV-(B), (D)

2. I-(A), (C), (D); II-(C), (D); III-(B), (D); IV-(A), (D)

3. I-(B); II-(A); III-(D); IV-(C)

REASONING TYPE

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (c)

LINKED COMPREHENSION TYPE

1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (c)

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E X E R C IS E VI

SUBJECTIVE PROBLEMS

1. x – 3y = 0

2. 4x  4 y = 15

192
3.
25

5. (6, 6) and (0, –2); (a) 7x – 24y + 102 = 0 and x – 6 = 0; (b) 7x – 24y – 48 = 0 and x = 0

8. x2 + y2 + 8x  6y + 9 = 0

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