Multiple Representations Equation Of a Circle

The equation of a circle has multiple representations in mathematics, these range from the equation in its' standard form, to its' polar form, even graphically. Students start to learn about circles in geometry. These geometrical wonders have many useful applications, both in and out of mathematics. A circle can be represented by the standard equation x2+y2=r2. Where r is the radius of the circle. This form is covered in algebra two when the students learn about conic sections. This form allows the students to easy graph the circle. This form of the equations also tells the students the radius of the circle. The next form of an equation of a circle that a student learns is the polar form. Or r() = a. Where the a is now the radius of the circle. Students learn about the polar form of a circle in percalculus. Both the polar form and the general form of a circle graph the same circle.

The last form of a circle that students learn is the set definition. A circle is the set of all points that are equidistant from the center. This meaning that all the points are the same distance away from the center of the circle. This is evident in the standard from because the r2 term is constant when the x and y terms vary. This is also evident in the polar form because 'a' is a constant. Students learn this definition in algebra two when they start conics.