PRECALCULUS

Module 1, Lesson 1b: General Form of the Equation of a Circles

I. Overview:

 This lesson will demonstrate key concepts of conic sections.

II. Objectives:

 At the end of the lesson, the student is able to:

(1) determine the general form of equation of a circle

(2) graph a circle in rectangular coordinate system

III. Content Outline:

 Please take time to read and understand this part because all graded activities and quizzes will be
coming from these contents.

GENERAL FORM OF THE EQUATION OF A CIRCLE

The standard form of equation of a circle (not on the origin), (x−h)2 +( y−k )2=r 2, can be
presented in another form.
The standard form is convenient in that it shows at a glance the center and radius of the
circle. However, another form called the general form, is often the form in which the
equation is given.
Thus, the general form of the equation of a circle is:
A. Ax2 + Ay 2+ Dx+ Ey+ F=0 , A ≠ 0
Dividing through A, we get the other form of the equation of a circle:
B. x 2+ y 2+ Dx + Ey+ F=0
To get back to the standard form of the equation of a circle, we do it as follows:
A. Divide each term through A, transpose the constant term to the right side of the
equation, and complete the squares in x and y.
B. Transpose the constant term to the right side of the equation, and complete the
square in x and y.
The equation of the form x 2+ y 2+ Dx + Ey+ F=0
where: D=−2h ; E=−2 k ;
2 2 2
F=h +k −r , where (h , k ) is the center and r is the radius.
NOTE: To determine the center and radius of a circle in general form, first change the
equation in standard form using the completing-the-square method in the x- & y-term.
Completing the square – add or subtract the “square of half the coefficient of x
(or y)” to both sides of the equation then factor the expression.
EXAMPLES:
1. Write the equation of a circle in general form with center at (−1 ,−6) and radius 8.
Solution:
The standard form of the circle is (x +1)2 +( y +6)2=82. By squaring the binomials:
 2 2
x + 2 x +1+ y +12 y+ 36=64
Rearranging the terms: x 2+ y 2+ 2 x +12 y+ 37−64=0
2 2
Simplifying: x + y + 2 x +12 y−27=0

Alternative solution:
Since the center is at (−1 ,−6) and r =8, if h=−1 , k=−6 ,r =8
Then, D=−2h=−2 (−1 )=2 ; E=−2 k=−2 (−6 )=12
2 2 2 2 2 2
F=h +k −r =(−1 ) + (−6 ) −( 8 ) =1+ 36−64=−27
Therefore, the equation is x 2+ y 2+ 2 x +12 y−27=0.

2. Write the general form given its center (−3 ,−2) and radius 4.
Solution:
The standard form of the circle is ( x +3)2+( y +2)2=4 2. By squaring the binomials:
2 2
x + 6 x+ 9+ y +4 y+ 4=16
Rearranging the terms: x 2+ y 2+ 6 x+ 4 y +13−16=0
2 2
Simplifying: x + y + 6 x+ 4 y−3=0

3. Write the general form given its center (−4 , 6) and radius 5.
Solution:
The standard form of the circle is (x +4 )2+( y−6)2=5 2. By squaring the binomials:
2 2
x + 8 x+16 + y −12 y+ 36=25
Rearranging the terms: x 2+ y 2+ 8 x −12 y +52−25=0
2 2
Simplifying: x + y + 8 x −12 y +27=0

4. Reduce 4 x 2+ 4 y 2 +4 x −12 y +1=0 to the standard form of the equation of a circle

and find the center and radius.
Sol’n: Reduce the coefficients of the second-degree terms by dividing each term
2 2 −1
by 4 and transpose the constant to the right side. Thus x + y + x −3 y= . Then
4
complete the square (collect all x’s and y’s):
2 2 −1
x + x+ y −3 y=
4

( [ ]) ( [ ]) [ ][ ]
2 2 2 2
2 1 2 1 −1 1 1
x + x+ ( 1 ) + y −3 y + (−3 ) = + ( 1 ) + (−3 )
2 2 4 2 2

( x + x+ 14 )+( y −3 y + 94 )= −14 + 14 + 94
2 2

Factor the left side and simplify the right side of the equation;

( )( )
2 2
1 3 9
x+ + y− =
2 2 4

Thus, the center is at ( −12 , 32 ) and r = 94 =√ 94 =r= 32 .

2

5. Reduce x 2+ y 2−2 x−4 y=−1 to the standard form of the equation of a circle and
find the center and radius.
Solution:
 2 2
x −2 x+ y −4 y=−1

( [ ]) ( [ ]) [ ][ ]
2 2 2 2
2 1 2 1 1 1
x −2 x+ (−2 ) + y −4 y + (−4 ) =−1+ (−2 ) + (−4 )
2 2 2 2
( x 2−2 x+ 1 ) + ( y 2−4 y +4 )=−1+ 1+ 4
( x−1 )2 + ( y−2 )2=4
Thus, the center is at ( 1 , 2 ) and r 2=4=√ 4=r =2.

6. Express x 2+ y 2+ 2 x=10 y −30 in standard form.

Solution: Rearrange the terms in general form
2 2
x + y + 2 x−10 y +30=0
2 2
x + 2 x + y −10 y =−30

( [ ]) ( [ ]) [ ][ ]
2 2 2 2
2 1 2 1 1 1
x +2 x + (2 ) + y −10 y + (−10 ) =−30+ ( 2 ) + (−10 )
2 2 2 2
( x 2 +2 x +1 ) + ( y 2−10 y+ 25 )=−30+1+25
( x +1 )2+ ( y−5 )2=−4
Since the radius is negative, the circle does not exist. No graph.

7. Express x 2+ y 2−2 x−4 y=−5 in standard form.

Solution: Rearrange the terms in general form
2 2
x −2 x+ y −4 y=−5

( [ ]) ( [ ]) [ ][ ]
2 2 2 2
2 1 2 1 1 1
x −2 x+ (−2 ) + y −4 y + (−4 ) =−5+ (−2 ) + (−4 )
2 2 2 2
( x 2−2 x+ 1 ) + ( y 2−4 y +4 )=−5+1+4
( x−1 )2 + ( y−2 )2=0

If the radius is 0, the C ( 1 , 2 ) is the only point in the plane that satisfies the original
equation. This equation is referred to as a point circle or degenerate circle.
In general, to determine whether each equation represents a circle, a point circle, or has
no graph use the formula:
2 2
2 D E
r= + −F
4 4
NOTE: You will look at the value of D, E, & F at the given equation.
2 2
D E
If + −F> 0, then the graph of the equation is circle.
4 4
2 2
D E
If + −F=0, then the graph of the equation is a point circle.
4 4
2 2
D E
If + −F< 0, the equation has no graph.
4 4
EXAMPLES:
Determine whether each equation represents a circle, a point circle, or has no graph.
1. x 2+ y 2+10 y =0
Solution: The general form of the circle is x 2+ y 2+ Dx + Ey+ F=0
D=0 , E=10 , F=0

2 2
2 D E
r= + −F
4 4
2
0 10
¿ + −0
4 4
¿ 0+25−0
2
r =25>0

Therefore, this equation represents a circle.

2. x 2+ y 2−6 x +2 y+10=0
Solution: D=−6 , E=2 , F=10
2 2
D E
2
r= + −F
4 4
2 2
(−6) (2)
¿ + −10
4 4
¿ 9+1−10
2
r =0=0
Therefore, this equation represents a point circle.

3. x 2+ y 2+ 4 x−6 y+18=0
Solution: D=4 , E=−6 , F=18
2 2
2(4) (−6)
r= + −18
4 4
¿ 4 +9−18
2
r =−5<0
Therefore, this equation has no graph.