Mr. J. Chan and Mr V.

Goonada

ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS

EQUATION OF A CIRCLE
In order to write the equation of a circle, we must know:
➢ The co-ordinates of its centre, C.
➢ The radius, r, of the circle.

Centre (a, b)

Standard Form for the Equation of a Circle

Consider a circle with centre, C (a, b) and radius, r, as shown below.

P(x, y)

C (a, b)

If P (x, y) is a point on the circumference of the circle, then the equation of the circle is given as:

(x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2
where:
a and b are the co-ordinates of the centre; and
r is the length of the radius.
Mr. J. Chan and Mr V. Goonada

Equation of a Circle in General Form

The centre of a circle is sometimes denoted by (-f, -g). In this case, the standard form for the
equation of a circle will be written as: (𝑥 + 𝑓)2 + (𝑦 + 𝑔)2 = 𝑟 2

If we expand this equation, we get:

x2 + fx + fx + f 2 + y2 + gy + gy + g2 = r2

 x2 + 2fx + f 2 + y2 + 2gy + g2 = r2

 x2 + y2 + 2fx + 2gy + f 2 + g2 – r2 = 0 Note that ‘c’ is NOT THE Y-INTERCEPT.

It is simply a constant that replaces
Replacing f 2 + g2 – r2 with c, we get: f 2 + g2 – r2.
 x2 + y2 + 2fx+ 2gy + c = 0 This is the equation of a circle in General Form, where:

Centre, C = (-f, -g); and Radius, r = √𝒇𝟐 + 𝒈𝟐 − 𝒄

Finding centre and radius of a circle when its equation is in the form (x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2

Example 1:

Find the centre and radius of the circle with equation (x – 4)2 + (y – 1)2 = 5

Solution:
The equation (x – 4)2 + (y – 1)2 = 5 is in the form
(x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2
Recall: Centre = (a, b)
(x – 4)2 + (y – 1)2 = 5 Also, r2 = 5

(x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2 r = √5 units

By comparison, -a = -4, -b = -1

 a = 4, b = 1 Hence, centre, C = (4, 1) and radius, r = √5 units

Hence, Centre, C = (4, 1).

Mr. J. Chan and Mr V. Goonada

Example 2:

The equation of a circle is given as (x – 2)2 + (y + 7)2 = 169. Determine:

(a) The co-ordinates of the centre of the circle.

(b) The length of the radius of the circle.

Solution:

The equation (x – 2)2 + (y + 7)2 = 169 is in the form

(x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2

(x – 2)2 + (y + 7)2 = 169

(x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2

By comparison: Also, r2 = 169

-a = -2 -b = 7  r = √169
a=2 b =-7
r = 13 units
Hence, Centre, C = (2, -7)

Hence, centre, C = (2, -7) and radius, r = 13 units.

 Mr. J. Chan and Mr V. Goonada

Finding the Centre and Radius of a Circle when its Equation is in the form x2 + y2 + 2fx+ 2gy + c = 0

When the equation of a circle is given in the form x2 + y2 + 2fx+ 2gy + c = 0, then its centre and radius
can be determined using any of the following methods:

To understand these methods, we will use the following example:

Example 3: Find the centre and radius of the circle with equation x2 + y2 - 4x + 6y = 87

Method 1: Completing the Square

In this method, we take the equation in the form x2 + y2 + 2fx+ 2gy + c = 0 and express it in
the form (x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2.
Step 1: Transfer the constant term (87) to the L.H.S. and rearrange the equation as follows:
x2 – 4x + y2 + 6y – 87 = 0

Step 2: Complete the square as shown below.

(x – 2)2 – (2)2 + (y + 3)2 – (3)2 – 87 = 0
 (x – 2)2 – 4 + (y + 3)2 – 9 – 87 = 0

Step 3: Transfer the constant terms to the R.H.S and simplify as follows:
(x – 2)2 + (y + 3)2 = 4 + 9 + 87
Note that the equation is now in the form
(x – 2)2 + (y + 3)2 = 100 (x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2

Step 4: Compare the equation obtained in Step 4 to the form (x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2 to
determine the centre and radius.
(x – 2)2 + (y + 3)2 = 100
(x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2
By comparison, - a = -2 and –b = 3
a=2 b = -3
Hence, Centre, C = (2, -3)
Also, r2 = 100 Hence, centre, C = (2, -3) and radius, r = 10 units.

 r = √100
r = 10 units
Mr. J. Chan and Mr V. Goonada

Method 2: Comparison Method

In this method, the equation of the circle is compared to the general form
x2 + y2 + 2fx+ 2gy + c = 0 to determine the centre, C, and radius, r.
Recall: Centre, C = (-f, -g)

Radius, r = √𝒇𝟐 + 𝒈𝟐 − 𝒄

Step 1: Transfer the constant term (87) to the L.H.S.

x2 + y2 - 4x + 6y = 87
 x2 + y2 - 4x + 6y – 87 = 0

Step 2: Compare the equation obtained in Step 1 to the general form x2 + y2 + 2fx+ 2gy + c = 0

x2 + y2 - 4x + 6y – 87 = 0
x2 + y2 + 2fx + 2gy + c=0
By comparison: 2f = -4 …(1)
2g = 6 …(2)
c = -87 …(3)

Step 3: Determine the co-ordinates of the centre, C (-f, -g) from equations (1) and (2) above.

2f = -4 2g = 6
 f = -2  g=3
Since Centre, C = (-f, -g) -g = -3
-f = 2
Then centre, C = (2, -3)

Hence, Centre, C = (2, -3).

Step 4: Calculate the length of the radius of the circle by using the formula r = √𝒇𝟐 + 𝒈𝟐 − 𝒄

Radius, r = √𝒇𝟐 + 𝒈𝟐 − 𝒄

 r = √(−𝟐)𝟐 + (𝟑)𝟐 − (−𝟖𝟕)

 r =√𝟒 + 𝟗 + 𝟖𝟕
 r =√𝟏𝟎𝟎
= 10 units.
 Mr. J. Chan and Mr V. Goonada
Finding the Equation of a Circle

Example 4:

Obtain the equation of a circle with centre (2, 5) and radius √13 units.

Solution:

Step 1: Write the equation of the circle in the form (x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2.
Recall: Centre, C = (a, b).
Since C = (2, 5), then a = 2 and b = 5.

Also, radius, r = √13 units.

Substituting into the form (x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2, we get:
𝟐
(x – 2)2 + (y – 5)2 = (√𝟏𝟑)

Step 2: Express the equation in the form x2 + y2 + 2fx+ 2gy + c = 0 by expanding and simplifying
the equation obtained in Step 1.
𝟐
(x – 2)2 + (y – 5)2 = (√𝟏𝟑)

 x2 – 2x – 2x + 4 + y2 – 5y – 5y + 25 = 13
 x2 – 4x + 4 + y2 – 10 y + 25 = 13
 x2 + y2 – 4x – 10y + 4 + 25 = 13
 x2 + y2 – 4x – 10y + 4 + 25 – 13 = 0
x2 + y2 – 4x – 10y + 17 = 0, which is the equation of the circle in the form
x2 + y2 + 2fx+ 2gy + c = 0
Mr. J. Chan and Mr V. Goonada

Equation of Tangents and Normals to a Circle

A tangent to a circle at a given point, P, is a straight line which passes on the outside of a
circle and just touches the circle at the point, P. The point, P, is called the point of tangency.
Tangent

S
P Point of tangency

In the circle shown, ST, is a

tangent to the circle at the

point, P.

If a straight line, perpendicular to the tangent, is drawn from the point, P, then the line is
called a NORMAL to the circle at the point, P.

Since the tangent and normal to a circle at a given point are perpendicular, then if we
know the gradient of one of these lines, we can determine the gradient of the other.

To find the gradient of a tangent to a circle at a point, P:

(i) Find the gradient of the normal to the circle at P.

(ii) Flip the gradient of the normal and change the sign (In other words, find
the negative reciprocal of the gradient of the normal).
Mr. J. Chan and Mr V. Goonada

Example 5:

The diagram below shows a circle having a centre with co-ordinates C (2, 1). The point, P
(10, 7), is a point on the circumference of the circle.

P (10, 7)

Calculate the gradient of the tangent to the

circle at P.
C (2, 1)

Solution:

Step 1: Find the gradient of the normal CP:

P (10, 7) 𝑦 −𝑦
Gradient, m = 𝑥2 −𝑥1
2 1

7−1
=
10−2
6
C (2, 1) =
8
3
=
4

STEP 2: Find the negative reciprocal of the

gradient of the normal.
4
Gradient of tangent = −
3

Hence the gradient of the tangent to the circle

4
at P is − .
3
Mr. J. Chan and Mr V. Goonada

Example 6:

A circle with centre (1, -1) passes through the point A(4, 3).

Determine the equation of:

(i) The normal to the circle at the point A.

(ii) The tangent to the circle at the point A.

Solution:

A (4, 3)
(i) Finding equation of the normal to the circle at A:
Step 1: Find the gradient of the normal.
𝑦 −𝑦
m = 𝑥2−𝑥1
(1, -1) 2 1

3−(−1)
= 4−1
4
m=3

STEP 2: Substitute the gradient, m, along with one of the

two points, into y = mx + c to determine the value of the
y-intercept, c.
Using the point (4, 3), we get:
y = mx + c
4
 3= (4)+ c
3
16
 3= +c
3
16
 3- =c
3
9−16
 =c
3
−7
=𝑐
3

STEP 3: Write the equation of the normal by replacing

‘m’ and ‘c’ in y = mx + c with the values calculated in
Steps 1 and 2 respectively.
4 7
Hence y = 3 𝑥 − 3

OR 3y = 4x - 7
Mr. J. Chan and Mr V. Goonada

(ii) Finding the equation of the tangent to the circle

at A:
STEP 1: Find the gradient of the normal CP:
4
From (i), gradient of CP = 3

STEP 2: Find the gradient of the tangent to the

circle at A.
Since the tangent is perpendicular to the normal,
then:
3
Gradient, m, of tangent = − 4

STEP 3: Substitute the gradient obtained in Step

2, along with the point A (4, 3) into the equation y
= mx + c to determine the value of the y-intercept,
c:
y = mx + c
3
 3 = − 4 (4) + 𝑐
 3 = -3 + c
 3+3 =c
6=c

STEP 4: Write the equation of the tangent by

replacing m and c in the equation y = mx + c with
the values calculated in Steps 2 and 3
respectively.
3
Equation of tangent at A: y = − 4 𝑥 + 6

OR 4y = -3x + 24