‫انثاب انثاَي‬

‫)‪CHAPTER (2‬‬

‫انذوائر‬
‫‪CIRCLES‬‬
 Chapter 2 Circles

2.1 Different Forms for Equation of Circle

‫انصيغ انًختهفح نًعادنح انذائرج‬
2.1.1 Standard Form ‫انصيغح انقياسيح‬
Definition ‫تعريف‬

‫انذائرج هي يجًىعح ال َهائيح يٍ انُقاط (في انًستىي) انًسافاخ تيُها و تيٍ َقطح ثاتتح (يركز‬
.)‫انذائرج) يكىٌ ثاتتا (َصف انقطر‬
Circle: is the set of infinite points (x, y) which their distances with a fixed
point (x0, y0) remains constant (R). The fixed point is called the center C(x0, y0)
and the constant distance (R) is called the radius.
.R ‫ٗ ذثعا ىزىل ٌَنِ اعرخذاً ٕزٓ اىَغافح ىنراتح ٍعادىح اىذائشج عِ طشٌق ّصف اىقطش‬
Noting this, we can use our distance formula to write an equation for the
radius:

R  ( x  x0 ) 2  ( y  y0 ) 2
.
Squaring both sides of the equation gives us the standard equation for a circle.
Thus, the equation of circle in standard form may be written as

( x  x0 ) 2  ( y  y0 ) 2  R 2

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‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

Example
Find the equation of the shown circle.

 A. x2 + y2 -3x – 4y +9 = 0
 B. x2 + y2 + 3x – 4y +16 = 0
 C. x2 + y2 -6x – 8y =16
 D. x2 + y2 -6x – 8y +16 = 0

Solution:
Using the figure above, the center C(x0, y0) = (3, 4) and the radius: R  3 .
So, the equation of required circle is written as:
( x  x0 )2  ( y  y0 )2  R2  ( x  3)2  ( y  4)2  32
x2 + y2 -6x – 8y +16 = 0. Thus, the solution is D.
Example: Choose the correct answer
The radius of circle 2 x 2  2 y 2  7  0 is…..:
A 7/2 B 7 C 14 D 7/2

Solution: x  y  7 / 2 .
2 2

Using the equation from above, the radius: R  7 / 2 . Thus, the right
choice is B and it is filled as shown.

A 7/2 B 7 C 14 7/2

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 Chapter 2 Circles

Examples (on the following Figure)

i) Choose the equation of the shown circle (number 5).

 A. x2 + y2 +4x +3 = 0
 B. x2 + y2 -4x -3 = 0
 C. x2 + y2 =4
 D. x2 + y2 =4y -3

Solution

Using the figure above, the center C(x0, y0) = (-2, 0) and the radius: R  1 .
So, the equation of required circle is written as:
( x  x0 )  ( y  y0 )  R  ( x  2)  y  1
2 2 2 2 2

x2 + y2 +4x +3 =0. Thus, the solution is A.

ii) Choose the equation of the shown circle (number 4).

 A. x2 + y2 -4x +3 = 0
 B. x2 + y2 -4x -3 = 0
 C. x2 + y2 =4
 D. x2 + y2 =4y -3

Solution

Using the figure above, the center C(x0, y0) = (0, 2) and the radius: R  1 . So,
the equation of required circle is written as:
( x  x0 )  ( y  y0 )  R  ( x  0)  ( y  2)  1
2 2 2 2 2

x2 + y2 =4y -3 =0. Thus, the solution is D.

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‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

iii) Choose the circle number 4 that has the equation x2 + y2 -4x +3 =0.

 A. 2
 B. 3
 C. 4
 D. 6

Solution

We should transform the given equation x2 + y2 -4x +3 =0 to quadratic form

as:

( x  2) 2  4  ( y  0) 2  3  0  ( x  2) 2  ( y  0) 2  12

Using the figure above, the center C(2, 0) = (0, 2) and the radius: R  1 . So,
the circle number 3 required circle.

Thus, the solution is B.

Example: Write an equation for a circle centered at the point (-1, 1) with
radius 1.
Solution: Using the equation from above, x0= -1, y0= 1, and the radius R= 1.
Using these in our formula,
( x  (1))2  ( y  1) 2  12 → ( x  1) 2  ( y  1) 2  1
Example: Find the y intercepts of a circle with radius 6 centered at the point
(2, 4).
Solution: We can start by writing an equation for the circle.
( x  2) 2  ( y  4) 2  36

To find the y intercepts, we need to find the points where x = 0. Substituting

in zero for x, we can solve for y.
(0  2) 2  ( y  4) 2  36 → ( y  4) 2  4  36

( y  4) 2  32 → y  4  4 2 → y  4(1  2 )

Example: Find the radius and center of circle x 2  y 2  6 x  4 y  5  0

Solution:
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 Chapter 2 Circles

The equation of the circle can be written in the form

( x  x0 ) 2  ( y  y 0 ) 2  R 2 by quadratic expression as follow.


( x  3) 2  ( y  2) 2  9  4  5  0  ( x  3) 2  ( y  2) 2  2 2 2

The center is (3, -2) and the radius is 2 2 .

Example: Find the equation of the circle whose center (-2, 0)is at the
point 6 and whose radius equals 6.

‫) في انجذول انتاني‬R ‫نذيُا حاالخ خاصح نهذائرج (َصف قطرها‬

There are important special cases of circles of radius R that are shown in
the following Table.
Equation ‫اىَعادىح‬ Description ‫اى٘صف‬
( x  x0 ) 2  ( y  y0 ) 2  R 2

1. x2  y2  R2 Center is origin ‫اىَشمض ٕ٘ ّقطح األصو‬

C=(0, 0)

2. x2  y 2  2R x x ‫ ٗ ٌقع ٍشمضٕا عيى ٍح٘س‬y‫اىذائشج ذَظ ٍح٘س‬

C=(R, 0) .‫اىَ٘ظة‬
Touches y-axis with center lies on
positive x-axis.

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‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

3. x 2  y 2  2 R x x ‫ ٗ ٌقع ٍشمضٕا عيى ٍح٘س‬y‫اىذائشج ذَظ ٍح٘س‬

C=(-R, 0) .‫اىغاىة‬
Touches y-axis with center lies on
negative x-axis.

4. x2  y 2  2R y y‫ ٗ ٌقع ٍشمضٕا عيى ٍح٘س‬x‫اىذائشج ذَظ ٍح٘س‬

C=(0, R) .‫اىَ٘ظة‬
Touches x-axis with center lies on
positive y-axis.

5. x 2  y 2  2 R y y‫ ٗ ٌقع ٍشمضٕا عيى ٍح٘س‬x‫اىذائشج ذَظ ٍح٘س‬

C=(0, -R) .‫اىغاىة‬
Touches x-axis with center lies on
negative y-axis.

Example: Draw the circle whose x  y  16 x  0 Showing its

2 2

center and radius.

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 Chapter 2 Circles

Solution
According to case(2) in the above table ( x 2  y 2  2 R x ), we find that:

x2  y 2  2 * 8 x
Thus, the center is C(8, 0) and radius R=8.

2.1.2 The General Equation of a Circle ‫انًعادنح انعايح نهذائرج‬

.‫انًعادنح يٍ انذرجح انثاَيح و انتي تحقق انشروط انتانيح تًثم انًعادنح انعايح نهذائرج‬
The equation of circle in general form is a second degree equation with the
following properties.
1- Coefficient of x2= coefficient of y2 x2 ‫ = ٍعاٍو‬y2 ‫ٍعاٍو‬
2- Coefficient of xy=0. 0= x y ‫ٍعاٍو‬
Thus, the equation may be written as

x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0.

This result may be derived with the class as

follows:
x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c

x 2  2 gx  g 2  y 2  2 fy  f 2
 g2  f 2 c
(x  g)2  ( y  f )2  g 2  f 2
c

( x  ( g )) 2  ( y  ( f )) 2  g 2  f 2
c

c.f. ( x  x0 )  ( y  y0 )  R . ‫ٗ تاىَقاسّح تٖزا اىشنو اىقٍاعً ّصو ىيْرائط اىراىٍح‬

2 2 2

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‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

Hence this equation represents a circle with the following useful relations
The center C= (  g , f ) ,

The radius R = g  f c ,
2 2

provided that the property

g 2  f 2  c  0.

.‫ذغرخذً ٕزٓ اىْرائط فً إٌعاد اىَشمض ٗ ّصف اىقطش‬

This result is used to obtain the coordinate of the center and the length of the
radius.
Example:
‫ أٗظذ أٌضا َ ٍشمض ٗ ّصف‬. 1 ً‫أٗظذ ٍعادىح اىذائشج اىرً ذَش تْقطح األصو ٗ ذقطع مال اىَح٘سٌِ ف‬
.‫قطش ٕزٓ اىذائشج‬
Write the equation of the circle that passes through the origin and makes an
intercept of 1 of each of axes. Find also, the center and radius of this circle.

Solution: the circle passes through the three points (0, 0), (1, 0) and (0, 1).
Substituting of (0, 0) in the general form:
‫عٍرٌ اىرعٌ٘ض تٖزٓ اىْقاط اىصالز فظ اىَعادىح اىعاٍح ىيذائشج فْحصو عيى شالشح ٍعادالخ فً شالشح‬
. g , f , c ‫ٍعإٍو‬
x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 → c  0

Substituting of (1, 0) in the last equation:

12  02  2 g *1  2 f * 0  0 → g  1 / 2

Similar substituting of (0, 1) leads to:

f  1 / 2
Then, the equation of the circle is written as
x 2  y 2  x  y  0 , or

( x  1 / 2) 2  ( y  1 / 2) 2  1 / 2 .

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 Chapter 2 Circles

The center is (1/2, 1/2) and the radius is 1 / 2 .

.) c  0 ( ‫ انذائرج انتي تًر تُقطح األصم يُعذو تها انحذ انًطهق‬:‫يهحىظح هايح‬

Example: Write the equation of the circle that passes through the three points
(1, -1), (1, 4) and (4, -2). Find its radius and center.
Solution:
Using the formula: x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 with the three points, we find
that:
2g  2 f  c  2  0 ,
2 g  8 f  c  17  0 ,

8 g  4 f  c  20  0 .

We can solve the following system:

2  2 1 g  - 2 
2 8 1 f   - 17 
       g  7 / 2, f  3 / 2, c  2
8 - 4 1 c  - 20

Then, the required equation may be written as:

x2  y 2  7 x  3 y  2  0 .

The radius a = g  f  c  (7 / 2)  (3 / 2)  2  5 2 / 2 ,

2 2 2 2

The center C= ( g , f )  (7 / 2, 3 / 2) .
There are important special cases of circles of radius that are shown in
the following Table.
Equation Notes
x  y  2 gx  2 fy  c  0.
2 2

1. x2  y 2  c  0
C=(0, 0), R   c

Center is origin

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‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

2. x2  y 2  2g x  0 Circle touches y-axis with center lies

on x-axis.
C=(-g, 0), c=0, R  g

4. x2  y 2  2 f y  0 Circle touches x-axis with center lies

C=(0, -f), , R  f on y-axis.

5. x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0. Circle touches x-axis

C=(-g, -f), , R  f Or g 2  c .

Example: Write the equation of the circle that touches x-axis and passes
through the points (1, -2) and (3, -4). Find also, the radius of this circle.
Solution: the circle that touches x-axis. Then
R  f = g2  f 2  c → g2  c .

Then, the general form becomes

x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  g 2  0

55
 Chapter 2 Circles

Substituting by (1, -2) and (3, -4) in the last equation:

12  (2) 2  2 g *1  2 f * (2)  g 2  0

32  (4) 2  2 g * 3  2 f * (4)  g 2  0

Eliminating f from the last two equations, we find that

g 2  2 g  15  0 → g  3 or g  5 → c  g  9 or 25 → f  2 or 10,
2

respectively.
Then, the equation(s) of the circle are written as
x 2  y 2  6 x  4 y  9  0 , with R  f =2 or

x 2  y 2  10x  20 y  25  0 , with R  f =10.

2.2 Polar Equation of Circle ‫انًعادنح انقطثيح نهذائرج‬

The relations between polar and Cartesian coordinates are written as

x  r cos
y  r sin 

r  x2  y2 >0

0    tan 1 ( y / x)  2

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‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

Using the triangle OCP we can write the following equation that governs the
equation of circle in polar form

R 2   2  r 2  2  r cos(   )

Example: write polar equations for the following circles in figure below.

Solution
1) r  3 , 0    2

2) R
2
  2  r 2  2  r cos(   ) 
12  2 2  r 2  2 * 2 r cos(  ( / 2)) 
r 2  4 r sin( )  3  0
4 5
 
3 3 .

3) R
2
  2  r 2  2  r cos(   ) 
12  2 2  r 2  2 * 2 r cos( ) 
r 2  4 r cos( )  3  0
 
 
6 6.

57
 Chapter 2 Circles

4) R
2
  2  r 2  2  r cos(   ) 
12  2 2  r 2  2 * 2 r cos(  ( / 2)) 
r 2  4 r sin( )  3  0
 2
 
3 3 .
5) R
2
  2  r 2  2  r cos(   ) 
12  2 2  r 2  2 * 2 r cos(   ) 
r 2  4 r cos( )  3  0
5 7
 
6 6 .
6) r  1 , 0    2 .
Example: Find the center of the circle:


r  3 cos  3 sin  in polar form of circle.
Solution
The above form can be transformed to the polar form

R 2   2  r 2  2  r cos(   ) ………………………..(1)

1 3 
r  6 cos  sin 
2 2 
 6cos( / 3) cos  sin( / 3) sin 
r  6 cos(   / 3) ,

r 2  2 * 3 r cos(   / 3)
…………………………………(2)
Comparing equations (1, 2) , we find that:
R    3,    / 3 .
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‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

Thus, the circle passes through the origin and it has radius R=3 and center
C (3, π/3) (in polar coordinates).
Note: if the circle passes through origin, then the polar form may be written
as:
r  2 R cos(   )

Special Cases ‫حاالخ خاصح‬

Description Equation
C( ,  ) R    r 2  2  r cos(   )
2 2

1. Center is origin rR

0    2

2. Touches y-axis r  2R cos

 / 2    / 2
 / 2    3 / 2

3. Touches x-axis r  2R sin

0    ,
    2

59
 Chapter 2 Circles

Example: Sketch the following equations in polar coordinates.


a) r  2 cos ,   0
2 .

b) r  12sin .
c) r  6 , 0    .
Solution

a) r  2 cos ,   0
2

b) r  12sin

c) r  6 , 0    .

60
‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

2.3 Circles and Lines ‫عالقاخ انذوائر تانخطىط انًستقيًح‬

‫انًسافح انعًىديح يٍ انًركز إنً انخط انًستقيى‬
2.3.1 Perpendicular Distance from Center to Line

The perpendicular distance (L) between the center of circle (-g, -f) and the line
Ax  By  c  0 is given by

 A * x0  B * y0  c
 for standard form
 A2  B 2
L
  A* g  B * f  c for general form
 A2  B 2


Thus, we have three cases

i- L  R gives intersecting line (passes inside the circle)
ii- L  R gives tangent line
iii- L  R gives line that lies outside the circle.

61
 Chapter 2 Circles

Example:
‫ أٗظذ ٍعادىح‬.‫ٗضح ذَاط اىخظ اىَغرقٌٍ اىراىً ىيذائشج اىراىٍح‬
.‫اىعَ٘دي ٗ ٗضح أّٔ ٌَش تَشمض اىذائشج‬
Show that the line y =5 − 2x is tangent to the circle
x2 + y2 = 5. Find an equation for the line
perpendicular to the tangent line at the point of
tangency. Show that this line goes through the
center of the circle.
Solution
The equation of line may rewritten as
2x+y -5= 0 →A=2, B=1, c=-5, ( x0 , y0 )=(0,0).
The center of given circle.
.ً‫ىيرأمذ ٍِ ذَاط اىخظ اىَغرقٌٍ ىيذائشج ّنرة اىششط اىراى‬
To check if the line is tangent to the circle,
A * x0  B * y0  c 5
L =  5.
A B
2 2
2 1
2 2

We observe that: L  R  5 .
.‫ٗ رىل ٌؤمذ ذَاط اىخظ اىَغرقٌٍ ىيذائشج‬
Then, the given line is tangent to the given circle.
.‫ٗ إلٌعاد ّقطح اىرَاط ٌرٌ اىرعٌ٘ض ٍِ اىخظ فً ٍعادىح اىذائشج‬
We may substitute from line to circle.
x 2  (5  2 x) 2  5
x 2  25  20x  4 x 2  5
5 x 2  20x  20  0
x2  4 x  4  0
( x  2) 2  0
This has equal roots at x = 2.
.‫الحع أُ ٕزٓ اىْرٍعح ذَصو ذأمٍذا َ آخشعيى ذَاط اىخظ اىَغرقٌٍ ىيذائشج‬
This means that the line intersects the circle at only one point (2, 1).
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‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

.‫أٍا اىخظ اىعَ٘دي فَعيً٘ أُ ٍٍئ ٕ٘ عاىة ٍقي٘ب ٍٍو اىََاط‬

A perpendicular line to the tangent line would have slope that is the negative
1
reciprocal of the tangent line or m  .
2

.‫ ٌَنِ مراتح اىَعادىح اىَطي٘تح عيى اىص٘سج اىراىٍح‬,‫ٗ ىزا‬

1
The equation of the line can be written: y  xb.
2
.‫ٗ ٌَنِ إٌعاد قٍَح اىصاتد تاىرعٌ٘ض تْقطح اىرَاط‬
We find the value of b by plugging in the tangency point: (2, 1)
1 1
1 (2)  b  b  0  y  x
2 2 .
.‫ٗ رىل ٌعًْ أُ اىعَ٘دي ٌَش تْقطح األصو ٗ تاىراىً ّصف قطش اىذائشج ٌنُ٘ عَ٘دٌا َ عيى اىََاط‬
1
The equation is y  x and we know that it passes through the origin since
2
the y-intercept is zero. This means that the radius of the circle is perpendicular
to the tangent to the circle.

.‫طىل انًًاس نهذائرج انًرسىو يٍ َقطح خارجها‬

The length of tangent from point (x1, y1) to the circle:
x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 , is given by:

PT 2  x12  y12  2gx1  2 fy1  c

This relation can be proved using the triangle ΔPTC and Pythagorean rule
63
 Chapter 2 Circles

PT 2  PC 2  TC 2 , where,

TC 2  R2  g 2  f 2  c . So,
PT 2  x1  g 2   y1  f 2  g 2  f 2  c
2 2
 x1  g 2  2x1g  y1  f 2  2 y1 f  g 2  f 2  c
2 2
 x1  y1  2 x1g  2 y1 f  c

Example
Find the length of tangent from point (1, -1) to the circle:
2 x2  2 y 2  x  3 y  1  0
Solution
PT 2  x12  y12  2gx1  2 fy1  c =1  1 1/ 2  3*1/ 2  1/ 2  1/ 2
PT  1 / 2 .

2.3.2 Pole and Polar ‫انقطة وانخط انقطثي‬

Given the circle:

( x  x0 ) 2  ( y  y0 ) 2  R 2 for standard form

x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 for general form

Given, also, the pole (xp, yp).
64
‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

The polar equation (without proof) is given by:

( x p  x0 )( x  x0 )  ( y p  y0 )( y  y0 )  R2
for standard form

for general form

See the Figure.
Example

Solution

Thus, the two tangents are written as:

65
 Chapter 2 Circles

and .
Example

Consider the circle: x  y  25 , and pole (6, 8). Find the polar equation.
2 2

Solution
The equation of polar line is given by:

x x p  y y p  R2
where, (xp, yp)=(6, 8) and R=5. Thus
6 x  8 y  25 .

If the polar is given by A x  B y  C  0 and the origin is the center of

circle, then, the pole of circle (without proof) is given by
 R2 A R2B 
 x  ,y   for standard form
 0 C  Ax  By 0 C  Ax  By 
 0 0 0 0
( xp , yp )  
  A( g 2  f 2  c) B ( g 2  f 2  c) 

  g  , f  for general form
 C  Ag  Bf C  Ag  Bf 
  

If the origin is the center of circle, above formula may be reduced to:
 R 2 A R 2 B 
  , for standard form
 C C 
( x p , y p )   
 A c B c 
 ,  for general form
 C C 

Example

Consider the circle: x  y  6 x  2 y  7  0 and polar equation:

2 2

5 x  3 y  1  0 . Find the corresponding pole.

Solution
We can use the following general formula:

66
‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

 A( g 2  f 2  c) B( g 2  f 2  c) 
( xp, yp )    g  , f
 C  Ag  Bf C  Ag  Bf 
 

 5(32  (1) 2  (7)) (3)(32  (1) 2  (7)) 

  3  , (1) 
 1  5 * 3  (3)(1) 1  5 * 3  (3)(1) 
 
 (2,  2)

Example

Solution
We can use the following general formula:
 A( g 2  f 2  c) B( g 2  f 2  c) 
( xp, yp )    g  , f
 C  Ag  Bf C  Ag  Bf 
 

 3(2 2  32  9) 5(2 2  32  9) 

  2 , 3  (1, 2)
 17  3 * 2  5 * 3 17  3 * 2  5 * 3 
 

Example
Consider the circle: x  y  9 , and polar: 4 x  5 y  9 . Find the pole.
2 2

Solution
We can use the following standard formula:
 R2 A R2 B   9 * 4 9*5 
( x p , y p )    ,     ,   (4, 5)
 C C   9 9 

Example

Consider the circle: x  y  9 , polar equation x

2 2
 2 . Find the
corresponding pole.
Solution
The pole is given by:
  R2 A  R2B 
( xp, yp )   , 
 C C 
 
67
 Chapter 2 Circles

where, ( x0 , y0 )  (0, 0) and A=1, B=0, C=-2 and R=3. Thus

  1* 9 
( xp, yp )   , 0   (4.5, 0)
  2 
Example

Consider the circle: x  y  25  0 , and polar equation: 6 x  8 y  25

2 2

Find the pole.

Solution
The equation of polar line is given by:
We can use the following general formula with origin center:
 A c B c   6 ( 25) 8 ( 25) 
( xp , yp )   ,  ,   (6, 8)
 C C    25  25 

2.4 System of Circles ‫يجًىعح انذوائر‬

2.4.1 Radical Axis ‫انًحىر األساسي‬
ً٘‫ إُ اىَح٘س األعاعً ىذائشذٍِ ٕ٘ اىَحو اىْٖذعً ىْقطح ذرحشك تحٍس أُ اىََاط اىَشع‬:‫ذعشٌف‬
.‫ٍْٖا ىيذائشذٍِ ٌنّ٘اُ ٍرغاٌٍِٗ فً اىط٘ه‬

Definition: Radical axis of two circles is the locus of a point which moves
such that tangents drawn from this point onto the given two circles will be of
equal in length.

Consider, the two circles, S1 and S2, where,

68
‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

S1  x 2  y 2  2 g1 x  2 f1 y  c1  0 and

S2  x 2  y 2  2 g 2 x  2 f 2 y  c2  0

The equation of radical axis is written as S1 - S2, i.e.,

2( g1  g2 ) x  2( f1  f 2 ) y  (c1  c2 )  0

Note. When circles are touching each other, the radical axis is the common
tangent between them as shown in the Figures

Example: Find the equation of radical axis of the two circles:

x2 + y2 + 4x - 6y + 3 = 0 and 3x2 + 3y2 - 12x + 9y + 1 = 0
Solution:
The circles should rewritten as
x2 + y2 + 4x - 6y + 3 = 0 ,
x2 + y2 - 4x + 3y + 1/3 = 0
then, the equation of radical axis is written as
2( g1  g2 ) x  2( f1  f 2 ) y  (c1  c2 )  0
=> 8 x - 9y + 8/3 = 0.
Example:
Prove that the radical axis of two circles is perpendicular to the line joining
their centers.
Proof

69
 Chapter 2 Circles

(-g1, -f1) (-g2, -f2)

If the equation of radical axis of the two circles is,

2( g1  g 2 ) x  2( f1  f 2 ) y  (c1  c2 )  0 , then, its slope is
g1  g 2
m1   .
f1  f 2
The slope of line joining their centers is written as:
f1  f 2
m2  .
g1  g 2

g1  g 2 f1  f 2
So, m1 * m2   *  1 .
f1  f 2 g1  g 2
Then, the radical axis of two circles is perpendicular to the line joining their
centers.

Radical center- ‫انًركز األساسي‬

ً‫إرا ماُ ىذٌْا شالز دٗائش (ال ذقع ٍشامضٕا عيى خظ ٗاحذ) فئّٔ ٌ٘ظذ شالشح ٍحاٗس أعاعٍح ٍرقاطعح ف‬
.‫ّقطح ذغَى انًركز األساسي‬
If there are three circles (whose centers are not co-linear) then there will be
three radical axes. All these three radical axes are concurrent (ٍِ‫)ٍرقاطع‬. And
the point of concurrency is called radical center.
.‫الحع أٌضا أُ اىَحاٗس األعاعٍح ذنُ٘ عَ٘دٌح عيى اىخط٘ظ اى٘اصيح تٍِ ٍشامض اىذٗائش‬
Radical axes are perpendicular to the lines joining centers of the circles.

70
‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

Coaxial System of Circles ‫يجًىعح انذوائر يتحذج انًحىر‬

‫ تَعْى أُ اىَح٘س‬.‫ٌطيق عيى ٍعَ٘عح دٗائش أّٖا ٍرحذج اىَح٘سعْذٍا ٌنُ٘ ىٖا ٍح٘س أعاعً ٍشرشك‬
.‫األعاعً ٗاحذ ىنو اصاٗض اىذٗائش‬
A system of circles is said to be co-axial when they have common radical
axis, i.e., when radical axis of each pair of circles of system is same.

Example:
For what values of β and m the circle 5(x2 + y2) + β y - m =0 belongs to the
coaxial system determined by the circles:
x2 + y2 + 2x + 4y - 6 = 0, 2(x2 + y2) - x = 0 ?
Solution:
If the radical axis for each pair of the three given circles is the same then the
result is established. Let the circles are written as:
S1 = x2 + y2 + 2x + 4y - 6 = 0
S2 = x2 + y 2 – (1/2) x = 0
S3 = x2 + y2 + β y /5- m/5 = 0
The equation of radical axis of circles S1 and S2 is
S1 - S2 = 0, i.e.,
x2 + y2 + 2x + 4y - 6 (x2 + y2 – (1/2)x) = 0
or, (5/2)x + 4y - 6 = 0
or, 5x + 8y - 12 = 0
The equation of the radical axis of circle S2 and S3 is
71
 Chapter 2 Circles

S2 - S3 = 0 , i.e.,
x2 + y2 – (1/2) x - (x2 + y2 + (β /5) y - m/5) = 0, or,
5x + 2 β y - 2m = 0
Comparing equations, we find that:
β = 4, m = 6 .

2.4.2 Orthogonal Circles ‫انذوائر انًتعايذج‬

If two circles are cutting each other orthogonally then the tangents at the point
of intersection are perpendicular to each other.

(O1 O 2)2 = R12 + R22

(g1 - g2)2 + (f1 - f2)2 = g12 + f12 - c1 + g22 + f22 - c2
2 g1 g2 + 2f1 f2 = c1 + c2

Example: The center of circle S, lies on the line 2x - 2y + 9 = 0 and S cuts at

right angles the circle x2 + y2 = 4. Find equation of S if it passes through point
(1, 0).
Solution
Center lies on 2x - 2y + 9 = 0.
=> - 2g + 2f + 9 = 0 ..........(1)
So cuts x2 + y2 - 4 = 0 orthogonally -
=> 2g (0) + 2f (0) = c - 4
72
‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

=> c = 4 ...............(2)
Using (1) and (2), the equation of S becomes:-
x2 + y2 + (2f + 9) x +2f y + 4 = 0
=> (x2 + y2 + 9x + 4) + f(2x + 2y) = 0
Substituting of point (1, 1) S, we may write,
f=-(1+0+9+4)/(2+0)=-7.
Then,
S = x2 + y2 -5 x -14 y + 4 = 0

Example: Find the equation of a circle which touches the line x + y = 5 at the
point A(-2, 7) and cuts the circle x2 + y2 + 4x - 6y + 9 = 0 orthogonally .

Solution
Since the circle is touching the line x + y - 5 = 0 at (-2, 7), its equation can be
written as
2
 g1 *1  f1 *1  5
(-g1+2)2 + (f1 + 7)2 =
12  12
2 2
= g1  f1  c1
It is orthogonal to the circle
x2 + y2 + 4x - 6y + 9 = 0
=> 2g1 *2 + 2f1 *(-3) = c1 + 9
Thus, we have 3 equations in 3 unknowns, f1, g1, c1.
Solving these equations, we find that,
f1=-11/2, g1=2, c1=32
Thus, equation of circle is
x2 + y2 + 4x - 11y + 32 = 0.

73
 Chapter 2 Circles

Exercises (2)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Write the general form equation of the circle containing the points:
A(1, 10), B(11, 2), C(1, -8).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7) Draw the line y = 3x + 10 and the circle x2 + y2 = 10. Show that these
graphs touch at only one point. Find the slope of the segment that joins this
point to the center of the circle, and compare your answer with the slope of the
line y = 3x +10.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) Write equations of circles shown in the following Figures (in all forms)

74
‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

(a) (b) (c) (d)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12) Find the center and the radius of each of the following circles.

a) x  8 x  y  2 y  19  0 ,
2 2

b) x  10x  y  6 y  15  0 ,
2 2

c) x  20x  y  30 y  181  0 .
2 2

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13) Find the condition that the straight line  r cos   r sin  1

Touches the circle r  2 a cos .

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14) Show that gx  fy  0 is the tangent to the circle

x 2  y 2  2 g x  2 f y  c  0 at the origin.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15) Find the radical axis of:

a) x2  y 2  2x  3y  5  0 , x2  y 2  7 x  2 y  4  0 .
75
 Chapter 2 Circles

b) 3x 2  3 y 2  4 x  6 y  1 , 2 x 2  2 y 2  3x  2 y  2.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16) Find the equation of circles which coaxial with

x 2  y 2  6 x  4  0 and x 2  y 2  5 x  4  0
which touch the line 3 x  4 y  15.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17) Prove that the circles

x 2  y 2  4 and x 2  y 2  R x  4  0 are orthogonal.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18) Show that the circles x  y  2 g x  2 f y  c  0 and

2 2
x2  y 2  R2
cut orthogonally if c  R
2

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19) Find the points of contact of the tangents to the circle
x 2  y 2  2 x  4 y  13 which are parallel to the line
x y 2.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20) Find the equation of circle coaxial with

x 2  y 2  7 x  12  0 and x  y  8 x  12  0
2 2

which passes through the point (2, 3)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

21. Find the shortest distance from the point (1, 2) to appoint on the circumference of
the circle defined by the equation x2 + y2 + 10x + 6y + 30 = 0.

 A. 5.61
 B. 5.71
 C. 5.81
 D. 5.91

22. Determine the length of the chord common to the circles x2 + y2 = 64 and x2 + y2 –
16x – 0.
76
‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

 A. 13.86
 B. 12.82
 C. 13.25
 D. 12.28

23. If (3, -2) is on a circle with center (-1, 1), then the area of the circle is:

 A. 5π
 B. 25π
 C. 4π
 D. 3π
2 2
24. The radius of the circle 2x + 2y – 3x + 4y – 1 = 0 is:

 A. (√33)/4
 B. 33/16
 C. (√33)/3
 D. 17

25. What is the radius of the circle with the following equation?

x2 – 6x + y2 – 4y – 12 = 0

 A. 3.46
 B. 5
 C. 7
 D. 6

26. The diameter of a circle described by 9x2 + 9y2 = 16 is:

 A. 16/9
 B. 4/3
 C. 4
 D. 8/3

27. Find the center of the circle x2 + y2 – 6x + 4y – 23 = 0.

 A. (3, -2)
 B. (3, 2)
 C. (-3, 2)
 D. (-3, -2)

28. Determine the equation of the circle whose center is at (4, 5) and tangent to the
circle whose equation is x2 + y2 + 4x + 6y – 23 = 0.

 A. x2 + y2 – 8x + 10y – 25 = 0
 B. x2 + y2 + 8x – 10y + 25 = 0
 C. x2 + y2 – 8x – 10y + 25 = 0
 D. x2 + y2 – 8x – 10y – 25 = 0

77
Chapter 2 Circles

29. The equation of the circle with center at (-2, 3) and which is tangent to the line 20x
– 21y – 42 = 0.

 A. x2 + y2 + 4x – 6y – 12 = 0
 B. x2 + y2 + 4x – 6y + 12 = 0
 C. x2 + y2 + 4x + 6y – 12 = 0
 D. x2 + y2 – 4x – 6y – 12 = 0

30. A circle has a diameter whose ends are at (-3, 2) and (12, -6). Its Equation is:

 A. 4x2 + 4y2 – 36x + 16y + 192 = 0

 B. 4x2 + 4y2 – 36x + 16y – 192 = 0
 C. 4x2 + 4y2 – 36x – 16y – 192 = 0
 D. 4x2 + 4y2 – 36x – 16y + 192 = 0

31. Find the equation of the circle with center on x + y = 4 and 5x + 2y + 1 = 0 and
having a radius of 3.

 A. x2 + y2 + 6x – 16y + 64 = 0
 B. x2 + y2 + 8x – 14y + 25 = 0
 C. x2 + y2 + 6x – 14y + 49 = 0
 D. x2 + y2 + 6x – 14y + 36 = 0

32. If (3, -2) lies on the circle with center (-1, 1) then the equation of the circle is:

 A. x2 + y2 + 2x – 2y – 23 = 0
 B. x2 + y2 + 4x – 2y – 21 = 0
 C. x2 + y2 + 2x – y – 33 = 0
 D. x2 + y2 + 4x – 2y – 27 = 0

33. Find the equation of k for which the equation x2 + y2 + 4x – 2y – k = 0 represents

a point circle. The circle x  y  2 f y  0 touches
2 2

 A. x-axis
 B. y-axis
 C. z-axis
 D. x=-f
34.The circle r  2R cos touches
 A. x-axis
 B. y-axis
 C. z-axis
 D. x=-f

35.Find the equation of radical axis of the two circles:

x2 + y2 + 4x - 6y + 3 = 0 and 3x2 + 3y2 - 12x + 9y + 1 = 0.
 A. 8 x - 9y + 8 = 0
 B. 8 x + 9y + 8/3 = 0

78
‫انذائرج‬ ‫انثاب انثاَي‬

 C. 8 x - 9y + 8/3 = 0
 D. 16 x - 18y + 8/3 = 0

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

36) For each circle: Fill in the missing information in the following table:

Center Radius Equation

C(h, k) a ( x  x0 )  ( y  y0 ) 2  R 2
2

1. (0, 0) 3
2. (0, 0) 8
3. (5, 3) 7
4. (-1, 2) 9
5. (8, -9) 3
6. (-7, -3) 2
7. 36  ( x  5) 2  ( y  2) 2
8. ( x  7) 2  ( y  1) 2  9
9. ( x  2) 2  ( y ) 2  8
10. ( x) 2  ( y  3) 2  16
11. ( x  8) 2  ( y  12) 2  4
12. ( x  4) 2  ( y  3) 2  7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37) Putting the following equations of circles in the standard form. Hence find
center and radius.
a) x2 + y2 + 6x – 8y – 11 = 0,
b) x2 + y2 – 2x + 6y – 10 = 0,
c) x2 + y2 – 4x + 8y – 5 = 0,
d) 4x2 + 4y2 + 36y + 5 = 0.

38) Consider the circle: x  y  4 x  6 y  10  0 and polar equation:

2 2

5 x  3 y  2  0 . Find the corresponding pole.

79
Chapter 2 Circles

80