Lesson 1.

1:
Circles

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Definition and Equation
BBBB of a Circle
Let 𝐶 be a given point. The set of all points 𝑃 having the same distance from
𝐶 is called a circle. The point 𝐶 is called the center of the circle, and the
common distance is radius.

The term radius is used to refer to a

segment from the center 𝐶 to a point 𝑃 on
the circle and the length of this segment. 𝑪 𝒉, 𝒌

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Definition and Equation
BBBB of a Circle
See figure, it has a center (ℎ, 𝑘) and radius 𝑟 > 0. A point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) is on
the circle iff 𝑃𝐶 = 𝑟. For any such point then, its coordinates should satisfy
the following.
𝑃𝐶 = 𝑟
𝑥−ℎ 2+ 𝑦−𝑘 2 =𝑟
𝒙 − 𝒉 𝟐 + 𝒚 − 𝒌 𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐
This is the standard equation of the circle 𝑪 𝒉, 𝒌
with center 𝐶(ℎ, 𝑘) and radius 𝑟. If the
center is 𝐶(0,0), the S.E is 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 =
𝒓𝟐

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Definition and Equation
BBBB of a Circle
In addition, the standard form of an equation of the circle with radius 𝑟 = 1
and center at the origin is called unit circle and has the equation 𝒙𝟐 +
𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏. The general form of the equation of a circle is
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒈𝒙 + 𝟐𝒇𝒚 + 𝒄 = 𝟎
Where the center is (−𝑔, −𝑓) and the radius is
𝒓= 𝒈𝟐 + 𝒇𝟐 − 𝒄

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Form of a Circle
BBBB

Hb. In each item, give the standard equation of a

circle satisfying the given conditions.

1. Center at origin, 𝑟 = 4 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔
2. Center (4,3), 𝑟 = 7 𝒙−𝟒 𝟐 + 𝒚−𝟑 𝟐 =𝟕

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 Hb. In each item, give the standard equation of a circle
satisfying the given conditions.

3. Circle A in the figure

4. Circle B in the figure
𝟐 𝟐
3. 𝒙 + 𝟐 + 𝒚+𝟏 = 𝟏𝟔

4. 𝒙 − 𝟑 𝟐 + 𝒚−𝟐 𝟐 =𝟗

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Hb. Identify the center and radius of the circle with the
given equation in each item.

1. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 14𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 14
2 2
2. 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 18𝑥 + 16𝑦 = 24
2 2
3. 16𝑥 + 16𝑦 + 96𝑥 − 40𝑦 = 315

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1. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 14𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 14
Solution:
Recall the general form of equation of the circle, that
is, 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 where center is at
(−𝑔, −𝑓) and radius 𝑟 = 𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 14𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 14
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2 ∙ 𝟕𝑥 + 2 ∙ 𝟏𝑦 − 14 = 0
𝑔 = 7, 𝑓 = 1, 𝑐 = −14
Thus, center is at −𝑔, −𝑓 = (−𝟕, −𝟏) and radius
𝑟 = 𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 = (−7)2 +(−1)2 −(−14) = 𝟖

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2. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 18𝑥 + 16𝑦 = 24
Solution:
Recall the general form of equation of the circle, that
is, 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 where center is at
(−𝑔, −𝑓) and radius 𝑟 = 𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 18𝑥 + 16𝑦 = 24
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2 ∙ 𝟗𝑥 + 2 ∙ 𝟖𝑦 − 24 = 0
𝑔 = 9, 𝑓 = 8, 𝑐 = −24
Thus, center is at −𝑔, −𝑓 = (−𝟗, −𝟖) and radius
𝑟 = 𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 = (−9)2 + (−8)2 −(−24) = 𝟏𝟑

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2.16𝑥 2 + 16𝑦 2 + 96𝑥 − 40𝑦 = 315
Solution:
Divide both sides by 16.
5 315
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 − 𝑦 − =0
2 16

Recall the general form of equation of the circle, that is, 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 where
center is at (−𝑔, −𝑓) and radius 𝑟 = 𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐
5 315
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 − 𝑦 − =0
2 16
𝟓 𝟑𝟏𝟓
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2 ∙ 𝟑𝑥 − 2 ∙ 𝑦 − =0
𝟒 𝟏𝟔
5 315
𝑔 = 3, 𝑓=− , 𝑐=−
4 16
𝟓
Thus, center is at −𝑔, −𝑓 = −𝟑, and
𝟒

5 2 315 𝟏𝟏
radius 𝑟 = 𝑔2 + 𝑓2 −𝑐 = (−3)2 + − − =
4 16 𝟐

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Circles in different
BBBB conditions
1. Determine the equation of the circle
which passes through the points
𝑃1 −1,2 , 𝑃2 0,5 , & 𝑃3 2,1 . Sketch the
graph.
2. Find the equation of the circle that
circumscribe the triangle determined by
the lines 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0, 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 − 24 =
0. Sketch the graph.

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Circles in different
BBBB conditions
3. Determine the equation of the circle
passing through (4,0) and (3,5) with a line
3𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 7 = 0 passing through the center.
Sketch the graph.

4. Find the standard equation of a circle that

has a diameter with endpoints 𝐴(−1,4) &
𝐵(4,2).
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Answer: BBBB
3. Let 𝑃1 = 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 = (4,0)
𝑃2 = 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 = 3,5
𝑟1 = radius of the circle from the center to 𝑃1 .
𝑟2 = radius of the circle from the center to 𝑃2 .
𝑟1 = 𝑟2
𝑥1 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦1 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑥2 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦2 − 𝑘 2
𝑥1 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦1 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑥2 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦2 − 𝑘 2
4−ℎ 2+ 0−𝑘 2 = 3−ℎ 2+ 5−𝑘 2
16 − 8ℎ + ℎ2 + 𝑘 2 = 9 − 6ℎ + ℎ2 + 25 − 10𝑘 + 𝑘 2
16 − 8ℎ = 9 − 6ℎ + 25 − 10𝑘
𝟐𝒉 − 𝟏𝟎𝒌 = −𝟏𝟖 eq 1.
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Answer: BBBB
𝟐𝒉 − 𝟏𝟎𝒌 = −𝟏𝟖 eq 1
𝒉 − 𝟓𝒌 = −𝟗 eq 1
And since 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 7 = 0 passes through the center of
the circle then, it’s also equivalent to 3ℎ + 2𝑘 = 7 eq 2.
Solving for the intersection of eq #1 and eq #2 to
establish the center of the circle.
𝟑𝒉 + 𝟐𝒌 = 𝟕 ⟹ 𝟑𝒉 + 𝟐𝒌 = 𝟕
−𝟑 𝒉 − 𝟓𝒌 = −𝟗 ⟹ −𝟑𝒉 + 𝟏𝟓𝒌 = 𝟐𝟕
𝟏𝟕𝒌 = 𝟑𝟒
𝒌=𝟐
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Answer: BBBB
Use eq 1 to solve for 𝒉,
𝒉 − 𝟓𝒌 = −𝟗
𝒉 − 𝟓 𝟐 = −𝟗
𝒉 − 𝟏𝟎 = −𝟗
𝒉 = 𝟏𝟎 − 𝟗
𝒉=𝟏
Thus, the center is at 1,2 , then we solve for the radius 𝑟,
we get, 𝑟 = 𝐶𝑃1 = 𝑥1 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦1 − 𝑘 2
𝑟 = 4−1 2+ 0−2 2
𝑟 = 32 + −2 2
𝒓 = 𝟏𝟑
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Answer: BBBB
Substituting the values of 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘 and 𝑟 to,

𝑥−ℎ 2 + 𝑦−𝑘 2 = 𝑟2
2 2
𝑥−1 + 𝑦−2 = 13

Thus, the equation of the circle is

𝒙−𝟏 𝟐+ 𝒚−𝟐 𝟐
= 𝟏𝟑.

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4. Has a diameter with endpoints 𝐴(−1,4) & 𝐵 4,2
−1 + 4 4 + 2 3
𝐶𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 , = ,3
2 2 2
2𝑟 = 4+1 2 + 2−4 2

2𝑟 = 25 + 4
2𝑟 = 29
𝟐𝟗
𝒓=
𝟐
2
3 2
29
𝑥− + 𝑦−3 =
2 4

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Tangent to aBBBB
Circle
Def. A Tangent to a circle is a line intersects the
circle at exactly one point referred as the point of
tangency.
Remarks.
If a line touches the circle in a single point, it’s a tangent
If a line touchers the circle in two points, it’s a secant
If a line does not touch the circle, there is no solution

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1. Find the standard equation of a circle
with center (−5,6), tangent to y-axis.
2. Find the standard equation of a circle
with center (−5,6), tangent to x-axis.
3. Given the equation of the circle
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 8𝑥 − 14𝑦 + 45 = 0. Prove
that 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 0 is tangent to the
circle. Sketch the graph.
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1. Find the standard equation of a circle with center (−5,6),
tangent to y-axis (𝑥 = 0).

Let 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘 = −5,6
𝑟 = 𝑥−ℎ
𝑟 = 0 − −5 = 5
𝑟=5
Addendum: The point of tangency
is at 𝑥, 𝑘 = (0,6)
Thus, the equation of the circle is
𝒙 + 𝟓 𝟐 + 𝒚 − 𝟔 𝟐 = 𝟐𝟓.

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2. Find the standard equation of a circle with center (−5,6),
tangent to x-axis (𝑦 = 0).

Let 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘 = −5,6
𝑟 = 𝑦−𝑘
𝑟 = 0 − 6 = −6
𝑟=6
Addendum: The point of tangency
is at ℎ, 𝑦 = (−5,0)
Thus, the equation of the circle is
𝒙 + 𝟓 𝟐 + 𝒚 − 𝟔 𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔.

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3. Given the equation of the circle 𝑥 + 𝑦 −
2 2
8𝑥 − 14𝑦 + 45 = 0. Prove that 𝑥 −
2𝑦 = 0 is tangent to the circle. Sketch the
graph.

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3. Given the equation of the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 8𝑥 − 14𝑦 + 45 = 0.
Prove that 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 0 is tangent to the circle. Sketch the graph.

Solution:
We need to show that 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 0 touches the
circle in a single point.
Solving 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 0 in terms of 𝑦, we get
𝑥 = 2𝑦. Substitute 𝑥 = 2𝑦 to the equation of
the circle, we get
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 8𝑥 − 14𝑦 + 45 = 0.
2𝑦 2 + 𝑦 2 − 8 2𝑦 − 14𝑦 + 45 = 0
4𝑦 2 + 𝑦 2 − 16𝑦 − 14𝑦 + 45 = 0
5𝑦 2 − 30𝑦 + 45 = 0
𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 + 9 = 0
𝑦−3 2 =0
𝑦−3=0
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3. Given the equation of the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 8𝑥 − 14𝑦 + 45 = 0.
Prove that 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 0 is tangent to the circle. Sketch the graph.
Solution: Continuation
𝑦=3
𝑥 = 2𝑦 = 2 3 = 6

Thus, the point of tangency is at (6,3). Since there

is only one solution therefore, the line 𝑥 − 2𝑦 =
0 is tangent to the circle.

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4. Find the equation of a tangent line to the circle
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 − 10𝑦 + 17 = 0 at the point
(−2,1). Sketch the graph.

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4. Find the equation of a tangent line to the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 −
10𝑦 + 17 = 0 at the point (−2,1). Sketch the graph.
Solution:
Let 𝑃1 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 = (−2,1)
We need to determine the center of the circle
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 − 10𝑦 + 17 = 0 and that
is, 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘 = (−3,5)
The gradient (slope) of 𝐶𝑃1 is
𝑦1 − 𝑘 1−5
𝑚1 = = = −4
𝑥1 − ℎ −2 + 3
1
Thus, the gradient (slope) of the tangent is ……
4

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4. Find the equation of a tangent line to the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 −
10𝑦 + 17 = 0 at the point (−2,1). Sketch the graph.

Solution: Continuation
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚2 𝑥 − 𝑥1
1
𝑦 − 1 = (𝑥 + 2)
4
4 𝑦−1 =𝑥+2
4𝑦 − 4 = 𝑥 + 2
𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 6 = 0
∴ the equation of the tangent line is 𝒙 −
𝟒𝒚 + 𝟔 = 𝟎.

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5. Find the standard equation of the circle with
center (4,0) and touching 2𝑥 − 𝑦 − 18 =
0.

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5. Find the standard equation of the circle with center (4,0) and
touching 2𝑥 − 𝑦 − 18 = 0.
Solution:
The radius can be obtained by applying the
formula for the distance from a line to a
point.
Let 𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = −1, 𝐶 = −18, and
𝑥, 𝑦 = (4,0), substituting we get
𝑨𝒙 + 𝑩𝒚 + 𝑪
𝒓=
𝑨𝟐 + 𝑩𝟐
2 4 − 1 0 − 18
=
22 + −1 2

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5. Find the standard equation of the circle with center (4,0) and touching 2𝑥 − 𝑦 −
18 = 0.
Solution: Continuation
8 − 0 − 18 10
𝑟= = −
4+1 5
𝟏𝟎
𝒓=
𝟓
Thus, the equation of the circle is 𝑥 − 4 2 +
2 10 2
𝑦−0 =
5
2 2
100
𝑥−4 +𝑦 =
5
𝑥 − 4 2 + 𝑦 2 = 20
Thus, the standard equation of the circle is
𝒙 − 𝟒 𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟐𝟎.
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ApplicationsBBBB
of Circles
Hb. 1. A street with two lanes, each
10 ft wide, goes through a
semicircular tunnel with radius 12ft.
How high is the tunnel at the edge
of each lane. Round off to 2 decimal
places.

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We draw a coordinate system with origin at the
middle of the highway, as shown. Because of the
given radius, the tunnel's boundary is on the
circle 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐𝟐 . Point P is the point on the
arc just above the edge of a lane, so its x-
coordinate is 10. We need its y-coordinate. We
then solve 102 + 𝑦 2 = 122 for 𝑦 = 0, giving us
𝒚 = 𝟒𝟒 = 𝟐 𝟏𝟏 ≈ 𝟔. 𝟔𝟑

Thus, the height of the tunnel at the edge of

each lane is 6.63 ft.

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2. A piece of a broken plate was dug
up in an archaeological site. It was
put on top of a grid, with the arc of
the plate passing through A(-7, 0),
B(1,4) and C(7,2). Find its center, and
the standard equation of the circle
describing the boundary of the plate.

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We first determine the center. It is the intersection
of the perpendicular bisectors of AB and BC. Recall
that, in a circle, the perpendicular bisector of any
chord passes through the center. Since the
−7+1 0+4
midpoint M of AB is , = −𝟑, 𝟐 and
2 2
4−0 𝟏
𝑚𝐴𝐵 = = thus the slope of its perpendicular
1+7 𝟐
bisection is −𝟐. Then, the perpendicular bisector
of AB has the equation of 𝑦 − 2 = −2(𝑥 + 3) or
equivalently, 𝐲 = −𝟐𝐱 − 𝟒

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 1+7 4+2
Since the midpoint N of BC is , = (𝟒, 𝟑) and
2 2
2−4 𝟏
𝑚𝐵𝐶 = = −thus, the slope of its perpendicular
7−1 𝟑
bisector is 3. Then, the perpendicular bisector of BC
has equation
𝑦 − 3 = 3(𝑥 − 4)
𝐲 = 𝟑𝐱 − 𝟗
The intersection of the two lines 𝑦 = −2𝑥 − 4 and 𝑦 =
3𝑥 − 9 is (1, −6) solving system of linear equations).
Thus, the center is at (𝟏, −𝟔).

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We can take the radius as the
distance of this point from any of A,
B or C (it's most convenient to use B
in this case). We then get r = 10. The
standard equation is thus
𝟐 𝟐
(𝐱 − 𝟏) +(𝐲 + 𝟔) = 𝟏𝟎𝟎

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More Examples:
BBBBTry it!
1. Center at −2,3 , tangent to the line 𝑦 = 8
2. Center at −2,3 , tangent to the line 𝑥 = −10
1 1
3. Center at 3,4 , tangent to the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 −
3 3
4. Concentric with 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 5, 𝑟 = 7
Note: Two circles are said to be concentric if they
have the same center.
5. Concentric with 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 8𝑥 − 10𝑦 = −16
and 4 times the area.
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