Non Calculator

MAT Equations of Circles Practice

1. If a circle has radius r and centre ( 0,0 ) , and a line is drawn to the origin to the a point P on
the circumference such that the angle between OP and the x -axis is θ (measured
anticlockwise), then what is the coordinate of P in terms of r and θ ?
2. Given two circles with equations ( x−a )2+ ( y −b )2=r 2 and ( x−c )2 + ( y−d )2 =s 2, form an
inequality that holds if (and only if) the circles intersect.
3. Find the point on the circumference of the first circle that is closest to the second circle.

1st Circle 2nd Circle

Centre (0, 0) Centre (4, 4)
Radius 1 Radius 1
Centre (-1, 1) Centre (2, -3)
Radius 2 Radius 1
4. State the range of values of a for which x 2−2 ax+ y 2=−1 is the equation of a circle.
5. Similarly, give the range of values of a for which x 2+ 2 x √ log a+ y 2=0 is the equation of the
circle.
6. [Note: You should try the “MAT Area/Perimeter Practice” worksheet before you attempt
this]
The circle in the diagram below has centre (1,1) and radius 1. The line L is tangential to the
circle at Q ; further L meets the y -axis at R and the x -axis at P in such a way that the angle
OPQ equals θ where 0<θ< π /2.

a. Show that the coordinates of Q are ( 1+sin θ , 1+ cos θ ) and the gradient of PQR is
– tan θ .
b. Write down the equation of the line PQR and so find the coordinates of P.
c. The region bounded by the circle, the x -axis and PQ has area A(θ); the region
bounded by the circle, the y -axis and QR has area B(θ) (see diagram).
Explain why A ( θ )=B ( π /2−θ ) for any θ .
d. Calculate A(π /4).

e. Show that A ( π3 )=√3− π3

www.drfrostmaths.com/rzc
www.drfrostmaths.com/rzc
 ANSWERS

1. ( r cos θ , r sin θ ).
2 2
2. √ ( c−a ) + ( d−b ) . By drawing a suitable diagram
The distance between the centres of the circles is
2 2
with a line drawn between the two centres, we can see that √ ( c−a ) + ( d−b ) ≤ r+ s .
3. The trick here is to draw a line between the centres of the circles:
1
a. We can see that x= y . Thus x 2+ x2 =1, and so x= y = .
√2
b. The distance between the centres of the circles is 5. Since the radius of the first circle is 1,
1
the point at the circumference nearest the second circle is of the way across the line
5

between the centres. This gives us the point (−1+ 35 ,1− 54 )=( −25 , 15 ) .

4. ( x−a )2−a2 + y 2=−1( x−a )2+ y2 =a2−1We require that a 2−1>0 (as the radius squared
cannot possibly be negative). Thus a←1 or a> 1.
2 2
5. ( x + √ log a ) −log a+ y 2=0 ( x + √ log a ) + y 2=log a Thus log a> 0 and so a> 1.
6.
a. Let C=( 1,1 ) denote the centre of the circle. Then CQ makes angle θ with the vertical and
is of length 1. So
RO
Q=C +⃗ CQ=( 1,1 ) + ( sin θ , cos θ )The gradient of the line is – =−tan θ by looking at
PO
the triangle OPR .
b. So using the formula y− yQ =m ( x−x Q ) we have:
y−1−cos θ=−tan θ( x−1−sin θ)At P we have y=0 and so we have:
cos θ+cos 2 θ+ sinθ+ sin2 θ
x=cot θ ( 1+cos θ )+1+sin θ= =1+ cot θ+cosec θ.
sin θ
π
c. If we consider the diagram with −θ as the angle OPR rather than θ , then this is just a
2
reflection of the θ -diagram in the y=x line. Hence, comparing areas,

A ( θ )=B ( π2 −θ )
π
d. So when θ= we have, dividing up the triangle
4
1
A ( π /4 )+ B ( π /4 ) +3 π /4+1= P π R π But A π =B( π ) and
2 4 4 4 4 ()
P π =R π =1+ 1+ √ 2=2+ √ 2. Hence
4 4

2A ( π4 )+ 34π + 1= 12 ( 2+√ 2) =3+2 √ 2

2
giving

π 3π
A ( )=1+ √ 2−
4 8

www.drfrostmaths.com/rzc
 π π
e. Let D=(1,0). When θ= we can calculate A( ) as the area of the congruent right-
3 3
1
angled triangles DCP and PCQ minus of the circle. So
3

A ( π3 )=2( 12 × ( P −1) × 1)− π3 =( 1+ √13 + √23 −1)− π3 =√3− π3

π
3
.

www.drfrostmaths.com/rzc