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COORDINATE GEOMETRY: CIRCLE

REFERENCE SHEET
Coordinate Geometry: The Circle – Leaving Cert Higher Level Reference Sheet
Equation of a circle with centre (𝟎, 𝟎) and radius 𝒓 Other Coefficients of 𝒙𝟐 and 𝒚𝟐 Using Knowledge from the Line
𝑥 2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑟2
4𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 = 25 Distance
2 2
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 49 centre (0,0) and radius 7 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 2 + 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 2
First divide across by 4.
Can help us find the radius given end points of diameter.
Equation of circle with centre (𝒉, 𝒌) and radius 𝒓 25
𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟2 𝑥 2 + 𝑦2 = Midpoint
4 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 + 𝑦2
,
𝑥−4 2
+ 𝑦+3 2
= 20 centre (4, −3) and radius 20 Centre, (0,0) 2 2
Can help us find the midpoint given end points of diameter.
25 5
General Equation of a circle Cutting 𝒙 and 𝒚 axis Radius = =
4 2
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 Sub values into the equation of a Slope
Inside, On or Outside a 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 5, −1
Make sure every term is on the left
circle for 𝑥 and 𝑦. centre
Circle 𝑥2 − 𝑥1
hand side and that the coefficients of 𝑥 We can find where a circle: 2, −3
and 𝑦 are equal to 1 crosses the 𝒙 axis by letting 𝑦 = 0 Put points into the circle for 𝑥 radius
−1, −5
1 crosses the 𝒚 axis by letting 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑦 Equation of a line
Centre is (−𝑔, −𝑓) which is 2 the
𝐿𝐻𝑆 < 𝑅𝐻𝑆 Inside 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
1
coefficient of 𝑥 and the coefficient of 𝑦 𝑐2 : 𝑥 − 4 2 + 𝑦 − 3 2 = 25 Can help us find equations of tangents to circle.
2 𝐿𝐻𝑆 = 𝑅𝐻𝑆 On the Circle
Cuts 𝑥−axis where 𝑦 = 0 𝐿𝐻𝑆 > 𝑅𝐻𝑆 Outside
Radius is 𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐, providing We can also apply the rules of translations to move circles or
find end points of diameter given an endpoint and the centre.
𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 > 0 2
𝑥 − 4 + 0 − 3 = 25 2

𝑥 𝑥 − 4 − 4 𝑥 − 4 + 9 = 25 Verify, using algebra, that the

𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎𝒙 − 𝟔𝒚 − 𝟐 = 𝟎 point (3, 1) is outside of 𝒄.
Perpendicular Distance from a Point to a Line
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 16 + 9 = 25 𝑎𝑥1 + 𝑏𝑦1 + 𝑐
centre 𝑑=
𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 = 0 𝑥+3 2 + 𝑦−2 2 = 16
−5,3 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
𝑥 𝑥−8 =0
radius 3 + 3 2 + 1 − 2 2 = 16
𝑥=0 𝑥−8= 0 Can be used to find distance from
𝑟 = −5 2 + 3 2 − (−2) 6 2 + −1 2 = 16
𝑥=8 centre of circle to a tangent.
=6 36 + 1 = 16
𝑐2 cuts the 𝑥-axis at 37 > 16 Point is outside the 𝑳: 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒚 − 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟎 is a tangent to 𝑑
0,0 and 8,0 circle! the circle C with a centre (𝟎, 𝟎)
Find the equation of circle C.
Circles touch Externally 0,0
𝑑 = 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 3 0 + 1 0 − 10
𝑟1 𝑟2
𝑑=
If circles touch externally the sum of their radii will equal 3 2 + 1 2
the distance between their centres. −10
𝑑 𝑑=
𝑟1 10
Circles touch Internally 10 𝑥 2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑟 2
𝑟2 𝑑= 2
𝑑 = 𝑟1 − 𝑟2 𝑑
10 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 10
If circles touch internally the radii of the large circle minus 𝑑 = 10 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 10
the smaller will equal the distance between their centres.

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Intersection of a Line and a Circle Equation of a Tangent at a Given Point on the Circle
To find the points where a line meets a circle perform a simultaneous Find the slope of the radius to the point of tangency
equation subbing the 𝑥 or 𝑦 value of the line into the circle and solving. Turn this slope upside down and change the sign. This gives us the slope of the
tangent.
The line 𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟏 = 𝟎 intersects the circle
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟓 = 𝟎 at the points 𝒑 and 𝒒. Find the coordinates of 𝒑
Use the coordinates of the point of contact and the slope of the tangent at this point
and 𝒒. in the formula
𝑥 = 2𝑦 + 1 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1)
2𝑦 + 1 2 + 𝑦 2 + 4 2𝑦 + 1 − 2𝑦 − 5 = 0 4 Find the equation of a tangent to the circle 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟔𝒚 − 𝟏𝟐 = 𝟎 at the point
5𝑦 2 + 10𝑦 = 0 (𝟓, −𝟕) on the circle.
3
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 = 0
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 4𝑥 + 6𝑦 − 12 = 0
𝑦 𝑦+2 = 0 2
Centre 2, −3 2
𝑦=0 𝑦 = −2
1
Slope from centre to the point on the line
𝑥=1 𝑥 = −3 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 −7 − −3 4
1

0 = =− 0

Thus the coordinates are 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 5−2 3 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

−7 −6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2
Slope of tangent perpendicular to this −1
1,0 and −3, −2 −1 1,0 3 −2
= 2, −3
−2 4 −3
Equation of 𝑇 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚 𝑥 − 𝑥1 4
−3, −2 −3 3 −4 𝑚=−
𝑦 − −7 = 𝑥 − 5 3 𝑇
4 −5
3
Circles with Axes as Tangents 2,1 is on circle 𝑦+7 = 𝑥−5 −6
Touching the 𝑥-axis 𝑔2 = 𝑐 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 4 3
Touching the 𝑦-axis 𝑓 2 = 𝑐 2 2 + 1 2 + 2𝑔 2 + 2𝑓 1 + 𝑐 = 0 4𝑦 + 28 = 3𝑥 − 15 −7 5,7 𝑚=
4𝑔 + 2𝑓 + 𝑐 = −5 ① 3𝑥 − 4𝑦 − 43 = 0 −8
4
The 𝒙-𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔 is a tangent to the
circle 3,2 is on the circle
3 2 + 2 2 + 2𝑔 3 + 2𝑓 2 + 𝑐 = 0
𝑪: 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒈𝒙 + 𝟐𝒇𝒚 + 𝒄 = 𝟎 −𝑔2 − 4𝑔 − 5 Sub values of 𝑔, 𝑓 and 𝑐 into general equation
6𝑔 + 4𝑓 + 𝑐 = −13 ② ②: 6𝑔 + 4 + 𝑔2 = −13
Show that 𝒈𝟐 = 𝒄 2 of a circle
Replace 𝑐 with 𝑔2 in ① and ② 12𝑔 − 4𝑔2 − 16𝑔 − 20 + 2𝑔2 = −26
Radius = −𝑓 4𝑔 + 2𝑓 + 𝑔2 = −5 2𝑔2 + 4𝑔 − 6 = 0 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 = −𝑓 6𝑔 + 4𝑓 + 𝑔2 = −13 𝑔2 + 2𝑔 − 3 = 0
𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 = 𝑓 2 𝑔+3 𝑔−1 = 0 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2 −3 𝑥 + 2 −1 𝑦 + 9 = 0
𝑔2 − 𝑐 = 0 Express 𝑓 in terms of 𝑔 in one equation and 𝑔 = −3 𝑔=1 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 + 𝟗 = 𝟎
𝑔2 = 𝑐 sub into the other. 𝑐 = 𝑔2
𝑐 = −3 2 𝑐= 1 2 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2 1 𝑥 + 2 −5 𝑦 + 1 = 0
2𝑓 = −𝑔2 − 4𝑔 − 5
The points 𝟐, 𝟏 and 𝟑, 𝟐 are 𝑐=9 𝑐=1 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎𝒚 + 𝟏 = 𝟎
−𝑔2 − 4𝑔 − 5
also on the circle C. Find two 𝑓= 𝑓=
− 9 −4 −3 −5
𝑓=
− 1 −4 1 −5
2 2 2
possible equations for C.
𝑓 = −1 𝑓 = −5
Coordinate Geometry: The Circle – Leaving Cert Higher Level Reference Sheet Find equation of a circle given two points 𝒑 and 𝒒 on the circle and the equation of the
line 𝑳𝟏 , containing the centre 𝐜(−𝒈, −𝒇)
Finding Equation of Circle with General Formula
Sub each point into equation as above to give 2 of the equations.
If given 3 points on the circle we can sub in for 𝑥 and y into:
Sub (−𝑔, −𝑓) in for 𝑥 and 𝑦 into line containing the centre to give 3 rd equation. Solve all
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 three for g, 𝑓 and 𝑐 and sub back into original.
This gives us three equations in three unknowns g, 𝑓 and 𝑐 which we solve and put back
into original equation. Find the equation of the circle that with points (−𝟒, 𝟏) and (𝟎, 𝟑) and whose centre lies
on the line 𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 + 𝟏𝟏 = 𝟎
Points 𝒑 −𝟒, 𝟐 𝒒 −𝟐, 𝟔 and 𝒓 𝟒, 𝟖 are on the circle 𝑺. Find the equation of 𝑺.
We are given two points on the circumference and the equation of a line containing the
centre.
We must find the values of 𝑔, 𝑓 and 𝑐
Let the equation of the circle between 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
−4,2 −4 2 + 2 2 + 2𝑔 −4 + 2𝑓 2 + 𝑐 = 0
(−4,1) −4 2 + 1 2 + 2𝑔 −4 + 2𝑓 1 + 𝑐 = 0
16 + 4 − 8𝑔 + +4𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0
16 + 1 − 8𝑔 + 2𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0
−8𝑔 + 4𝑓 + 𝑐 = −20 𝑨
−8𝑔 + 2𝑓 + 𝑐 = −17 𝑨
−2,6 −2 2 + 6 2 + 2𝑔 −2 + 2𝑓 6 + 𝑐 = 0
(0,3) 0 2 + 3 2 + 2𝑔 0 + 2𝑓 3 + 𝑐 = 0
4 + 36 − 4𝑔 + 12𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0
0 + 9 + 6𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0
−4𝑔 + 12𝑓 + 𝑐 = −40 𝑩
6𝑓 + 𝑐 = −9 𝑩
4,8 4 2 + 8 2 + 2𝑔 4 + 2𝑓 8 + 𝑐 = 0
The centre – 𝑔, −𝑓 is on the line 𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 11 = 0
16 + 64 + 8𝑔 + 16𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0
Thus −𝑔 − 2 −𝑓 + 11 = 0
8𝑔 + 16𝑓 + 𝑐 = −80 𝑪
−𝑔 + 2𝑓 = −11 𝑪
Solve the simultaneous equations 𝑨, 𝑩 and 𝑪 to find the values of 𝑔, 𝑓 and 𝑐 Solve the simultaneous equations 𝑨, 𝑩 and 𝑪 to find the values of 𝑔, 𝑓 and 𝑐

−8𝑔 + 4𝑓 + 𝑐 = −20 4,8 −8𝑔 + 2𝑓 + 𝑐 = −17 7

8
−4𝑔 + 12𝑓 + 𝑐 = −40 6𝑓 + 𝑐 = −9
8𝑔 + 16𝑓 + 𝑐 = −80 −2,6 −𝑔 + 2𝑓 = −11 6
6
𝑔 = −3 𝑔=3 5
𝑓 = −1 4 𝑓 = −4
𝑐 = −40 𝑐 = 15 4
−4,2 2 −𝑔, −𝑓
3 0,3
0
2 4 6 10 2
−4 −2 8 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
−2
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2 3 𝑥 + 2 −4 𝑦 + 15 = 0
1
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟖𝒚 + 𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎 −4,1
0
−4
−5 −4 −3 −2 −1
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
−6
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2 −3 𝑥 + 2 −1 𝑦 − 40 = 0
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟒𝟎 = 𝟎
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Find equation of the circle if given two points 𝒑 and 𝒒 on the circle and the Find equation of the circle given the length of the radius
equation of the tangent at one of these points
When given the radius we let it = 𝑔 2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐. Then we square both sides. We
Find the equation of 𝐿, the line perpendicular to the tangent 𝑇 passing through have to use the other information in the question to form two other equations in
the given point of contact. This point will contain the centre c. g, 𝑓 and 𝑐 and sub these into the first equation to get a quadratic equation in one
Now we have two points on the circumference of the circle and the equation of variable. In general we end up with two circles that satisfy the given condition.
the line that contains the centre of the circle. Solve as above.
A circle of radius length 𝟐𝟎 contains the point −𝟏, 𝟑 . Its centre lies on the line
Find the equation of the circle which passes through the points 𝒂 −𝟑, −𝟐 and 𝒙+𝒚 = 𝟎
𝒃(𝟎, −𝟏) and where the line 𝟐𝒙 − 𝒚 + 𝟒 = 𝟎 is a tangent at the point −𝟑, −𝟐 Find the equations of the two circles that satisfy these conditions.
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝑻: 0 Let the circle be 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
𝑎 2 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 Given 20
− =− −1,3
𝑏 −1 (0, −1) 𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 = 20
=𝟐 −1 𝑔 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 = 20
2
①
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝑳: The centre – 𝑔, −𝑓 is on the line 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 0
𝟏 −𝑔 − 𝑓 = 0
=− (−3, −2) −2
𝟐 −𝑓 = 𝑔 ②
𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝑳: 𝐿
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚 𝑥 − 𝑥1 −3 Contains the point −1,3 (−𝑔, −𝑓)
1 (−𝑔, −𝑓) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
𝑦 − −2 = − 𝑥 − −3 −1 2 + 3 2 + 2𝑔 −1 + 2𝑓 3 + 𝑐 = 0
2
2𝑦 + 4 = −𝑥 − 3 −4 1 + 9 − 2𝑔 + 6𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0
𝐿: 𝑥 + 2𝑦 = −7 −2𝑔 + 6𝑓 + 𝑐 = −10 ③

−5
𝐋 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 (−𝒈, −𝒇)
−𝑔 + 2 −𝑓 = −7 Sub ② into ① Sub ② into ③ Equate the c’s
−𝑔 − 2𝑓 = −7 ① 𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 = 20 −2𝑔 + 6𝑓 + 𝑐 = −10 2𝑓 2 − 20 = −10 − 8𝑓
−𝑓 2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 = 20 −2 −𝑓 + 6𝑓 + 𝑐 = −10 2𝑓 2 + 8𝑓 − 10 = 0
General equation of a circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 contains 𝑎 and 𝑏. 2𝑓 2 − 𝑐 = 20 8𝑓 + 𝑐 = −10 𝑓 2 + 4𝑓 − 5 = 0
−3, −2 −3 2 + −2 2 + 2𝑔 −3 + 2𝑓 −2 + 𝑐 = 0 𝑐 = 2𝑓 2 − 20 𝑐 = −10 − 8𝑓 𝑓+5 𝑓−1 =0
9 + 4 − 6𝑔 − 4𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0 𝑓 = −5 𝑓=1
−6𝑔 − 4𝑓 + 𝑐 = −13 ② 𝑔=5 𝑔 = −1
0, −1 0 2 + −1 2 + 2𝑔 0 + 2𝑓 −1 + 𝑐 = 0
1 − 2𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 𝑐 = −10 − 8𝑓
−2𝑓 + 𝑐 = −1 ③ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2 5 𝑥 + 2 −5 𝑦 + 30 = 0 𝑐 = −10 − 8 −5
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎𝒚 + 𝟑𝟎 = 𝟎 𝑐 = 30
Solve ①② and ③ yields 𝑔 = 1, 𝑓 = 3 and 𝑐 = 5
The Circle – 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 𝑐 = −10 − 8𝑓
𝑥2 +𝑦2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 Leaving Cert Higher Level 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2 −5 𝑥 + 2 5 𝑦 − 18 = 0 𝑐 = −10 − 8 1
𝑥 2 + 𝑦2 + 2 1 𝑥 + 2 3 𝑦 + 5 = 0 Reference Sheet 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟎𝒚 − 𝟏𝟖 = 𝟎 𝑐 = −18
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟔𝒚 + 𝟓 = 𝟎