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TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to;
a. Identify the length of the tangent.
b. Solve for the length of the tangent.
c. Verify points on the unit circle.

Unit Circle

Length of the tangent = √ (x₁² + y₁² + 2gx₁ +2fy₁ + c)

To establish some formulas, let’s take the standard equation first i.e.

x2 + y2 – r2 = 0.

Let P(x1, y1) be the point whose position is to be determined. Then it’s
distance from the center of the circle C(0, 0) will be given by

CP = √
1
Page

Course: Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry www.ccdisorsogon.edu.ph

Instructor: Syrel Joy M. Bobier
E-mail: syrelbobier@gmail.com
 COMPUTER COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Learning Management System

The point will lie outside, on or inside the circle when CP > r,

CP = r or CP < r respectively. By rearrangement of terms, we get the

required conditions as

Outside: x12 + y12 – r2 > 0

On: x12 + y12 – r2 = 0

Inside: x12 + y12 – r2 < 0

This is equivalent to substituting the coordinates of the point in the

circle’s equation, and checking its sign.

If the resulting expression is positive, then the point lies outside

circle, if zero, then on the circle, and if negative then inside the circle.

Now let’s move on to the general equation: x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0.

Not much of a difference here, except that the center is (-g, -f) and the

radius √ . In this case the distance of the point from the center

will be √

Comparing this with the radius, we get the conditions as:

Outside: x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c > 0

2

On: x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c = 0

Page

Course: Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry www.ccdisorsogon.edu.ph

Instructor: Syrel Joy M. Bobier
E-mail: syrelbobier@gmail.com
 COMPUTER COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Learning Management System

Inside: x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c < 0

The expression whose sign we’re checking is the one on the left hand

side of the circle’s equation, in which the coordinates (x1, y1) are

substituted in place of (x, y).

Let S = x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c, and P be the point (x1, y1).

Then, S1 = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c.

And the position of the point P is determined by checking the sign of S1.

Example 1 :

Show that the point (-1, 3) lies inside the circle x2 + y2 − 6x − 8y + 12 = 0.

Solution :

The length of the tangent PT from P(x1, y1) to the circle

x2 + y2 + 2gx +2fy + c = 0 is

PT = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c

(22 + 32 − 6.2 − 8.3 + 12) = 0

(4 + 9 − 12 − 24 + 12) = 0

− 11 < 0
3

The point (2, 3) lies inside the circle

Page

Course: Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry www.ccdisorsogon.edu.ph

Instructor: Syrel Joy M. Bobier
E-mail: syrelbobier@gmail.com
 COMPUTER COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Learning Management System

Example 2 :

Show that the point (2,-1) lies outside the circle x²+y²- 6x - 8y + 12 = 0

Solution :

Here x₁ = 2 and y₁ = -1

(2)² + (-1)² - 6(2) - 8 (-1) + 12 = 0

4 + 1 - 12 + 8 + 12 = 0

5 - 12 + 8 + 12 = 0

13 > 0

The length of tangent is positive. So the given point lies outside the circle.

4
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Course: Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry www.ccdisorsogon.edu.ph

Instructor: Syrel Joy M. Bobier
E-mail: syrelbobier@gmail.com
 COMPUTER COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Learning Management System

Example 3 :

Is the point (7, − 11) lie inside or outside the circle x2 + y2 − 10x = 0 ?

Solution :

To know that where does the given point lies in the circle; we have to find
the length of tangent.

Here x₁ = 7 and y₁ = -11

= x2 + y2 − 10x

= 72 + (-11)2 − 10(7)

= 49 + 121 - 70

= 170 - 70

100 > 0

5
Page

Course: Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry www.ccdisorsogon.edu.ph

Instructor: Syrel Joy M. Bobier
E-mail: syrelbobier@gmail.com