P1 Chapter 3: Circles

Past Paper Revision Questions

Further Example
Edexcel C2 June 2012 Q3a,b

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 Tangents, Chords, Perpendicular Bisectors
There are two circle theorems that are of particular relevance to problems in
this chapter, the latter you might be less familiar with:

or
ct
se
tan

bi
ge

lar
nt
ius

icu
ch

nd
rad

o rd

rpe
pe
The tangent is perpendicular to the The perpendicular bisector of any chord
radius (at the point of intersection). passes through the centre of the circle.

Why this will help: Why this will help:

If we knew the centre of the circle and the point of The first thing we did in this chapter is find the equation
intersection, we can easily find the gradient of the radius, of the perpendicular bisector. If we had two chords, and
and thus the gradient and hence equation of the tangent. hence found two bisectors, we could find the point of
intersection, which would be the centre of the circle.
Determining the Circle Centre
The points and lie on a circle with centre , as shown in 𝑦
the diagram. The point has coordinates and the point
has coordinates . is the midpoint of the line segment .
The line passes through the points and . 𝑥
𝑃 ( − 8 ,−2 )
a) Find an equation for . 𝑀
b) Given that the -coordinate of is -9: 𝑄 ( 2 , −6 )
i) show that the -coordinate of is -5.
ii) find an equation of the circle. 𝐶

𝑙
a We know the line going through the midpoint of a chord and a
centre of the circle is the perpendicular bisector of the chord.

? Fro Exam Tip: If you’re not asked

Equation of : for the equation in a particular
form, just leave it as it is.

b When :
Use either or for the radius.
?
c
?
Starter Examples
Note that the GCSE 2015+ syllabus
had questions like this, except with A circle has equation
circles centred at the origin only.
The line is a tangent to the circle and has
The circle has equation
gradient -3. Find two possible equations
.
for , giving your answers in the form .
a) Verify the point lies on .
b) Find an equation of the tangent to
at the point , giving your answer in This time we have the gradient, but don’t have the
points where the tangent(s) intersect the radius.
the form
Equation of radius/diameter:

𝑚=
a)

−
Intersecting with circle:

3
b) Circle centre: (4 , − 4)
Gradient of radius:
Fro Tip: Use ?
?
‘subscripting’ of
variables to make
clear to the Solving results in the points .
examiner (and Then equations of tangents:
yourself!) what
you’re calculating.
Revision Worksheet Circles
Classwork Practice Questions
Groupwork Exercise