Lesson 2 – Circles

Target Skills
At the end of this module, you are able to:
§ Define a circle.
§ Determine the standard form of the equation of the circle.
§ Graph a circle in the Cartesian plane.
§ Solve problems involving circles.

Review
A. Determine which of the following is a perfect square trinomial. If it is a PST, write it in
factored form.
1. 3𝑥 ! + 4𝑥 + 2 4. 𝑥 ! + 𝑥 + 1
!
2. 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 9 5. 𝑥 ! − 8𝑥 + 16
!
3. 4𝑥 − 12𝑥 + 9 6. 9𝑥 ! − 8𝑥 + 7

B. For each of the following, complete the missing term in order to have a perfect square
trinomial.
"#
1. 𝑥 ! + ___ + 4. 𝑥 ! − 16𝑥 + ___
!
2. 𝑥 ! + 4𝑥 + ___ 5. 𝑥 ! + 24𝑥 + ___
$ 6. 𝑥 ! + ___ + 16
3. 𝑥 ! − ___ + "

Build Your Understanding

On June 12, 1991, Mt. Pinatubo recorded its first explosive

eruption. During this time, an advisory was made increasing the danger
zone radius to 30 km. This meant that evacuation is required for those
who are living within the 30 km radius danger zone.

Photo taken from: https://www.wired.com/2016/06/annotated-volcano-

exploring-pinatubos-devastating-eruption-25-years-later/

On November 8, 2018, one of the most devastating typhoon

hit the Philippines known as Typhoon Yolanda (International Name:
Haiyan). It entered and ravaged the Philippines covering a radius of
185 miles greatly affecting the Visayas area.
Photo taken from: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24866265
 Natural occurrences like volcanic eruption and typhoon use diameter or radius to determine or describe the
area covered by the calamity. These are just some of the examples of situations that applies that concept of circles in
real life. If we are to put the volcano (eruptions) and the eye (storm) as fixed points on the Cartesian Plane, we can
plot equidistant points around the fixed point. Once these equidistant points are connected, we will be forming a
circle.

Circle

A circle is a set of points in the Cartesian plane that are equidistant from a fixed point called the center.
The distance from the center to any of the points on the circle is called the radius.

Refer to the given figure below.

Radius

Point O denotes the fixed point or the center of the circle. The segment joining point O (center) and point A on
the circle is a representation of the radius.

Since the circle is considered as one of the conic sections, it may also be represented by an equation.

Equation of a Circle

The equation of a circle is the second – degree polynomial equation in two variables given as

𝐴𝑥 ! + 𝐶𝑦 ! + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0
where 𝐴, 𝐶, 𝐷, 𝐸, 𝐹 ∈ ℝ, and 𝐴 = 𝐶.

Given the condition that 𝐴 = 𝐶, the equation of the circle may be written as
𝐴𝑥 ! + 𝐴𝑦 ! + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0

This is the general form of the equation of a circle.

 There are two possible positions of the center of the circle in the Cartesian plane. As seen in the graphs below,
Figure (1) shows that the center of the circle is positioned at the origin with coordinates (0,0) while Figure (2) shows
that the center of the circle is positioned at a point with coordinates (ℎ, 𝑘).

Figure (1) Figure (2)

(𝑥, 𝑦)
Considering the graph of the circle whose center is at the origin. The
segments r, x, and y forms a right triangle. By the application of the Pythagorean 𝑟
theorem, we have the equation 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 𝑟 ! . This is the standard form of the 𝑦
equation of a circle whose center is at the origin. The standard form of the equation 𝑥
of a circle is also called the center – radius form of the equation.

(ℎ, 𝑘)

𝑟 Considering the graph of the circle whose center is at (ℎ, 𝑘). The radius (r),
𝑦−𝑘
𝑥 − ℎ, and 𝑦 − 𝑘 forms a right triangle. By the application of the Pythagorean
𝑥−ℎ theorem, we have the equation (𝑥 − ℎ)! + (𝑦 − 𝑘)! = 𝑟 ! . This is the standard
form of the equation whose center is at (ℎ, 𝑘).

Standard Form of the Equation of a Circle

(Center – Radius Form)

§ Circle with center at the origin.

𝑥! + 𝑦 ! = 𝑟 !

§ Circle with center at (ℎ, 𝑘).

(𝑥 − ℎ )! + (𝑦 − 𝑘)! = 𝑟 !
Rewriting the General Form of the Equation of the Circle into the Standard Form.

When a circle is graphed on the Cartesian plane, the coordinates of the center and the length of the radius is
important. The coordinates of the center and the length of the radius can be seen in the standard form of the equation
of the circle. Thus, from the general form of the equation of the circle, we can transform it to the standard form as
shown in the examples below.

Example:

Rewrite the following equations of the circle into the standard form and determine the following
A. Coordinates of the center
B. The length of the radius
C. Sketch the graph on a Cartesian plane.

1. 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 1 = 0
2. 9𝑥 ! + 9𝑦 ! + 12𝑥 + 18𝑦 − 23 = 0
3. 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 6𝑥 = 0
4. 4𝑥 ! + 4𝑦 ! + 16𝑥 + 8𝑦 − 4 = 0

Solutions:

1. 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 1 = 0

𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 1 = 0 Given
(𝑥 ! − 4𝑥) + (𝑦 ! − 2𝑦) = −1 Grouping the terms with the same variables; APE
(𝑥 ! − 4𝑥 + 4) + (𝑦 ! − 2𝑦 + 1) = −1 + 4 + 1 Completing the Square; APE
(𝑥 − 2)! + (𝑦 − 1)! = 4 Factoring PST

Thus, the center is at (2,1) and the 𝑟 = 2.

2. 9𝑥 ! + 9𝑦 ! + 12𝑥 + 18𝑦 − 23 = 0

9𝑥 ! + 9𝑦 ! + 12𝑥 + 18𝑦 − 23 = 0 Given

(9𝑥 ! + 12𝑥) + (9𝑦 ! + 18𝑦) = 23 Grouping the terms with the same variables ; APE
4
9 >𝑥 ! + 𝑥? + 9(𝑦 ! + 2𝑦) = 23 Factoring common factors
3
4 16
9 >𝑥 ! + 𝑥 + ? + 9(𝑦 ! + 2𝑦 + 1) Completing the square ; APE
3 36
= 23 + 4 + 9
4 !
9 >𝑥 + ? + 9(𝑦 + 1)! = 36 Factoring PST
6
4 !
9 @𝑥 + 6A 9(𝑦 + 1)! 36 MPE
+ =
9 9 9
4 !
>𝑥 + ? + (𝑦 + 1)! = 4 Simplify
6

"
Thus, the center is at @− , −1A and 𝑟 = 2.
%
 3. 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 6𝑥 = 0
𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 6𝑥 = 0
(𝑥 ! − 6𝑥) + 𝑦 ! = 0
(𝑥 ! − 6𝑥 + 9) + 𝑦 ! = 9
(𝑥 − 3)! + 𝑦 ! = 9

Thus, the center is at (3,0) and 𝑟 = 3.

4. 4𝑥 ! + 4𝑦 ! + 16𝑥 + 8𝑦 − 4 = 0
4𝑥 ! + 4𝑦 ! + 16𝑥 + 8𝑦 − 4 = 0
(4𝑥 ! + 16𝑥) + (4𝑦 ! + 8𝑦) = 4
4(𝑥 ! + 4𝑥) + 4(𝑦 ! + 2𝑦) = 4
4(𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 4) + 4(𝑦 ! + 2𝑦 + 1) = 4 + 16 + 4
!

4(𝑥 + 2)! + 4(𝑦 + 1)! = 24

(𝑥 + 2)! + (𝑦 + 1)! = 6

Thus, the center is at (−2, −1) and 𝑟 = √6.

Graphs:

𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 1 = 0 9𝑥 ! + 9𝑦 ! + 12𝑥 + 18𝑦 − 23 = 0

𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 6𝑥 = 0 4𝑥 ! + 4𝑦 ! + 16𝑥 + 8𝑦 − 4 = 0

Equations of Circles Given Special Conditions

There are instances that you will be given with specific conditions like the coordinates of the center and the
radius length, coordinates of the endpoints of the diameter, etc. In cases such as these, we use the specified conditions
in order to get the equation of the circle.
Example:

Derive the general form of the equation of the circle given the following conditions.

1. Center is at (2,5) with radius length of 5 units.

2. The endpoints of the diameter are (−2, −6) and (4, 15).
3. Center is at (5,2) and is tangent to the y – axis.

Solutions:

1. Center is at (2,5) with radius length of 5 units.

Since the coordinates of the center and the radius length are given, we just substitute the values to the standard
form of the equation.
ℎ = 2 ; 𝑘 = 5 ; 𝑟 = 5
(𝑥 − ℎ)! + (𝑦 − 𝑘)! = 𝑟 &

(𝑥 − 2)! + (𝑦 − 5)! = 5!

(𝑥 ! − 4𝑥 + 4) + (𝑦 ! − 10𝑥 + 25) = 25

𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 4𝑥 − 10𝑥 + 4 + 25 − 25 = 0

𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 4𝑥 − 10𝑥 + 4 = 0

2. The endpoints of the diameter are (−2, −6) and (4,16).

Since the endpoints of the diameter are given, we can use the midpoint formula to determine the center of
the circle. To get the radius, we may have 2 solutions, first is to use the distance formula on the diameter and
then divide it by 2, or to use the distance formula on the center and one endpoint of the diameter.

Solving for the center.

𝑥$ + 𝑥! 𝑦$ + 𝑦!
𝑀> , ?
2 2
−2 + 4 −6 + 16
𝑀> , ?
2 2
2 10
𝑀> , ?
2 2

𝑀(1,5)
The center of the circle is at (1,5).

Solving for the radius length. (Using the distance formula)

𝑑 = H(𝑥$ − 𝑥! )! + (𝑦$ − 𝑦! )!
 Method 1: Using the endpoints of the diameter. Method 2: Using the center and one endpoint of the
diameter.

𝑑 = H(𝑥$ − 𝑥! )! + (𝑦$ − 𝑦! )! 𝑑 = H(𝑥$ − 𝑥! )! + (𝑦$ − 𝑦! )!

𝑑 = H(−2 − 4)! + (−6 − 16)! 𝑑 = H(−2 − 1)! + (−6 − 5)!

𝑑 = H(−6)! + (−22)! 𝑑 = H(−3)! + (−11)!

𝑑 = √36 + 484 𝑑 = √9 + 121

𝑑 = √520 𝑑 = √130

𝑑 = 2√130 𝑟 = √130

𝑑 2√130 Note: You may also use the endpoint (4,16) for this method.
=
2 2

𝑟 = √130

The center is at (1,5) and 𝑟 = √130

(𝑥 − ℎ)! + (𝑦 − 𝑘)! = 𝑟 !
!
(𝑥 − 1)! + (𝑦 − 5)! = I√130J
(𝑥 ! − 2𝑥 + 1) + (𝑦 ! − 10𝑦 + 25) = 130
𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 2𝑥 − 10𝑦 + 26 − 130 = 0
𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 2𝑥 − 10𝑦 − 104 = 0

3. Center is at (5,2) and is tangent to the y – axis.

Since the circle is tangent to the y – axis, the point of tangency will be at (0,2). The radius will be 5 units.

(𝑥 − ℎ)! + (𝑦 − 𝑘)! = 𝑟 !
(𝑥 − 5)! + (𝑦 − 2)! = 5!
(𝑥 ! − 10𝑥 + 25) + (𝑦 ! − 4𝑦 + 4) = 25
𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 10𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 29 − 25 = 0
𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 10𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 4 = 0

Applications of Circles

The following are some of the applications of the concept of circles.

1. A radio tower covers an area within a 8 km radius. If a house is located 7 km west and 5 km north of the
radio tower, will the radio tower be able to service the said house?

Solution:

Setting the radio tower as the center of the circle and positioning it at the origin, we can locate the coordinates
that will represent the house. Bases from the given location of the house, which is 7 km west and 5 km north,
we can say that the house is located at (−7,5). Since the area covered by the radio tower is 8 km, we just
have to show that the distance of the point (−7,5) is either less than or equal to 8 km.
 𝑑 = H(𝑥$ − 𝑥! )! + (𝑦$ − 𝑦! )!
𝑑 = H(−7 − 0)! + (5 − 0)!
𝑑 = √49 + 25
𝑑 = √74
𝑑 ≈ 8.60 𝑘𝑚

Since the distance of the house from the radio tower is greater than 8 km, we can say that the house will not
be covered by the service of the radio tower.

An alternate solution is to use the equation of the circle of the radio tower and see if the point (−7,5) will
satisfy 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! ≤ 8!

𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! ≤ 64
(−7)! + (5)! ≤ 64
49 + 35 ≤ 64
74 ≰ 64

Since we end up with a false statement, we can say that the house will not be serviced by the radio tower.

2. A circular park is situated 3 km south and 5 km east of the city center with the perimeter fence of the circular
park 4 km from its center.
a. Write the general form of the equation that will represent the circular park.
Since the circular park is located 3 km south and 5 km east of the city center, we can set the center
at (5, −3). The distance from the center of the park and the perimeter fence is the radius.

(𝑥 − 5)! + (𝑦 + 3)! = 4!
(𝑥 ! − 10𝑥 + 25) + (𝑦 ! + 6𝑥 + 9) = 16
𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 10𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 34 − 16 = 0
𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 10𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 18 = 0

b. If a statue is standing 2 km north and 3 km west of the center of the park, is the statue inside or
outside the perimeter fence?

Solution:

The coordinates of the position of the statue with respect to the center of the circular park is (7, −6).
Using the equation of the circle, we have to show that the statue’s coordinates will satisfy the equation
of the circle.

(𝑥 − ℎ)! + (𝑦 − 𝑘)! ≤ 𝑟 !
(𝑥 − 5)! + (𝑦 + 3)! ≤ 4!
(7 − 5)! + (−6 + 3)! ≤ 16
(2)! + (3! ) ≤ 16
4 + 9 ≤ 16
13 ≤ 16

Since we end up with a true statement, we can say that the statue is inside the park.
 Firm - Up

On your book / e – book, answer the following:

I. Page 22 Exercise 1.2 A and B

II. Page 23 Exercise 1.2 C (1 and 2 only)

Remember
§ A circle is a set of points that are equidistant from a fixed point called the center.
§ The equation of the circle in general form is the second – degree polynomial equation in two
variables given as 𝐴𝑥 ! + 𝐶𝑦 ! + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0, where 𝐴, 𝐶, 𝐷, 𝐸, 𝐹 ∈ ℝ, and 𝐴 = 𝐶.
§ The Standard Form of the Equation of the Circle (Center – Radius Form)
o Center at the origin – 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 𝑟 !
o Center at (ℎ, 𝑘) – (𝑥 − ℎ)! + (𝑦 − 𝑘)! = 𝑟 !
§ The general form of the equation of the circle may be written in the standard form and vice versa.
§ The equation of the circle may be derive given special conditions.

Challenge Yourself
On your book / e – book, answer the following:
I. Page 24 – 25 Exercise 1.2 C (numbers 3 – 5 only)
II. Page 25 Exercise 1.2 D (even numbers only)
III. Page 26 Exercise 1.2 E (number 1 and 2)