The Cedar Grove Academy

Department of Mathematics

Grade 10

#LEVELUPWITHMATH

Name: Teacher G. Brooks

Subject: Additional Mathematics
Class: 10 Mixed
Topics: Equations of a Normal and Tangent
Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2021

RECAP-TRUE OR FALSE

1. Perpendicular means that the product of two gradients is 1. _______

2. Two lines are parallel when the gradients are the same.________
3. The value of g in the given equation of a circle x2 + y2 + 4x – 8y + 19 = 0 is 8. ______

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Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

1. define the terms normal and tangent to a circle;

2. find the gradient of a normal and tangent to a circle;
3. find the equation of a normal and tangent to a circle;
4. participate willingly in class discussion.

WHAT IS A NORMAL OF A LINE TO A CIRCLE?

The normal is the line segment touching the centre of the point and the circle, in other words the normal
represents the radius of the circle.

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 WHAT IS A TANGENT OF A LINE TO A CIRCLE?

The tangent of a circle is the straight line that meets the normal at a point. In other words, it is the called the
point of tangency. The tangent of a circle and the radius drawn to the point of tangency are mutually
perpendicular.

N.B. The gradient of a normal and tangent is mutually perpendicular.

GRADIENT OF A NORMAL

y 1 +g
mn = x + f
1

GRADIENT OF A TANGENT

−x1 +f
mt = y + g
1

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 2021 The Cedar Grove Academy
1 (a) Find the gradient of the normal of x2 + y2 + 4x – 6y + 5 = 0 at the point (2, 4)
(b) Hence, or otherwise, find the equation of the normal.

Method 1

2f = 4
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2g = -6

f=2
g = -3

y 1 +g 4+ (−3 ) 1
mn = x + f = =4
1 2+2

using: y – y1 = m(x – x1) or y = mx + c

1
y–4= (x – 2)
4
1 1
y–4= x–
4 2
1 1
y= x– +4
4 2

1 7
y= x+
4 2

4y = x + 14
– x + 4y – 14 = 0 or x – 4y + 14 = 0

OR

(-f, -g) ≡ (a, b)

(-2, -(-2)) = ( -2, 3)

C( -2, 3)

1
y–3= (x – (– 2))
4
1 1
y–3= x+
4 2
1 1
y= x+ +3
4 2

1 7
y= x+
4 2

4y = x + 14

– x + 4y – 14 = 0 or x – 4y + 14 = 0

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Method 2

Using C and the point

y 2−¿ y 4−3 1
mn = x ¿ = =
1

2−x 1
2−−2 4

using: y – y1 = m(x – x1) or y = mx + c

y = mx + c

1
(4) = (2) + c
4

1 7
c=4– 2= 2

1 7
y = 4x + 2

4y = x + 14

– x + 4y – 14 = 0 or x – 4y + 14 = 0

2 (a) Find the gradient of the tangent of x2 + y2 + 2x – 2y + 9 = 0 at the point (-1, 5)

(b) Hence, or otherwise, find the equation of the tangent.

−x1 +f
mt = y + g
1

Method 1

2f = 2
2g = - 2

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f=1
g = -1

(-f, -g) ≡ (a, b)

(-1, -(-1)) = ( -1, 1)

C( -1, 1)

−x1 +f −1+¿1
mt = y + g = ¿=0
1 5+(−1)

y = mx + c

5 = (0) (-1) + c

5=c

y=5

3. Find the equation of the normal and tangent of 2x2 + 2y2 + 20x – 24y + 28 = 0 at the point (-2, -7)

x2 + y2 + 10x – 12y + 14 = 0

2f = 10 = 5
2g = -12 = -6

f = 5 and g = - 6 (5, -6)

y 1 +g −7 −13
mn = x + f = +¿−6 ¿ = 3
1 −2+5

equation for normal:

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y = mx + c

−13
-7 =(
3
) (-2) + c

26
-7 = 3 + c

26 26 26
-7 - 3 = 3 - 3 + c

26 −47
c = -7- 3 = 3

−13 47
y= 3 x- 3

3y = -13x – 47

13x + 3y + 47 = 0 or 13x - 3y - 47 = 0

−x1 +f
mt = y + g
1

3
-7 =( ) (-2) + c
13

−6
-7 = +c
13

6 −85
C = -7 + =
13 13

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 3 85
y= x -
13 13

13y = 3x – 85

-3x + 13y + 85 = 0 or 3x – 13y – 85 = 0

TRY THESE

1. Find the equation of the normal and tangent of x2 + y2 + 4x – 8y + 13 = 0 at the point (4, -1)

2f = 4
2g = - 8

f = 2 g = -4 (2, -4)

y 1 +g −1−4 −5
mn = x + f = 4 +2 = 6
1

INCOMPLETE

2. Find the equation of the normal and tangent of 4x2 + 4y2 + 28x – 36y + 24 = 0 at the point (1, -2)

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 Resource:

Tangent and Normal to a circle [Year-1] - YouTube

Equation of tangent to Circle x^2+y^2-8x-10x-128=0 IB Math GCSE - YouTube

Circle || Normal and Tangents || How to find equation of Tangent and Normal - YouTube

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