CHAPTER 3

THE CIRCLE
CIRCLE
In this section, we will study the second-degree equation

Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0

The graph of this equation is generally a circle, an ellipse, a parabola, or a hyperbola,

called conic sections. We will discuss in detail the locus of each curve starting with the
simplest and most common conic, the circle.

3.1 Standard Form of an Equation of a Circle

Definition: A circle is a set of all points P(x, y) on the plane such that the distance between P
and a fixed point C(h, k) is a constant. The fixed point is called the center of the
circle, and the constant distance is called the radius.

Theorem 3.1: The equation of a circle with center at (h, k) and radius r is given by
( x  h) 2  ( y  k ) 2  r 2 (1)
Proof:

Let P(x, y) be any point on the circle. By definition, P moves so that it is always at a constant
distance r from the fixed point C(h, k). Thus,

CP = r
Applying the distance formula, we have

( x  h) 2  ( y  k ) 2  r

1
 or ( x  h) 2  ( y  k ) 2  r 2

If the center of the circle is at the origin, then (1) reduces to

( x  0) 2  ( y  0) 2  r 2
or x2  y2  r 2 (2)

Equations (1) and (2) are known as the standard form of the equation of a circle. They
are also known as the center-radius form of the equation of a circle.

Example 1. ( x  3) 2  ( y  5) 2  16 represents a circle with center at (3, 5) and radius 4.

Example 2. x 2  ( y  3) 2  5 represents a circle with center at (0, – 3) and radius 5 .

Example 3. Find the equation of the circle with center at (–3, 2) and radius 5.

Solution: From the given, we see that h = – 3, k = 2, and r = 5. Substituting it directly to

equation (1), we get

[ x  (3)] 2  ( y  2) 2  5 2
( x  3) 2  ( y  2) 2  25

This is the equation of the circle in standard form.

Example 4. Find an equation of the circle with center at (3, – 1) and tangent to the line
5x + 12y + 10 = 0.

Solution: From geometry, a radius of a circle drawn to the point of tangency is perpendicular
to the tangent line. Hence, the length of the radius of the circle is the distance from
the center to the point of tangency. Applying the formula for distance from a line to
a point,

Ax1  By1  C
r
A2  B 2
5(3)  12(1)  10
r
5 2  12 2
r 1

Hence, the equation of the circle in standard form is

( x  3) 2  ( y  1) 2  1

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PRACTICE EXERCISES 3.1

I. Write the equation of each of the following circles in center-radius form.

1. With center at (– 4, 2) and radius 3.

2. With center at (3, –1) and radius 7.

3. Having as diameter the line segment from (– 1, 2) to (4, 6).

4. Having as diameter the line segment from (– 5, – 4) to ( 2, 3).

5. With radius 3 and touching both axes.

6. With center at (5, – 4) and tangent to the y-axis.

7. With center at (–1, – 3) and passing through (2, 5).

8. With center at the origin and passing through (– 3/2, – 4).

9. With center at the origin and touching the line 5x – 12y = 52.

10. With center at (–1, –2) and tangent to the line x – 2y = –7.

3.2 General Equation of a Circle

Expanding the parentheses in equation (1), we get

x 2  2 xh  h 2  y 2  2ky  k 2  r 2

Collecting similar terms yields

x 2  y 2  2hx  2ky  (h 2  k 2  r 2 )  0

If we let D = – 2h, E = – 2k, and F = h 2  k 2  r 2 , then the equation reduces to

x 2  y 2  Dx  Ey  F  0 (3)

This is known as the general equation of a circle.

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Example 1. Find the center and radius of the circle x2 + y2 – 4x + y – 1 = 0.

Solution: To find the center and radius of the given circle, we first reduce its equation
into standard form. The equation can be written as

(x2 – 4x) + (y2 + y) = 1

Completing the squares in x and y, we have

(x2 – 4x + 4) + (y2 + y + ¼) = 1 + 4 + ¼
21
(x – 2)2 + (y + ½)2 =
4

Because the equation is in the center– radius form, we immediately see that the center
 1 21
is at  2,  and the radius is .
 2 2

Example 2. Find an equation of a circle concentric with the circle x2 + y2 – 4x + 6y = 12 and

tangent to the line 3x – 4y = 3.

Solution: We first find the center of the given circle by reducing its equation into center-
radius form. Completing the squares in x and y, we have

(x2 – 4x + 4) + (y2 + 6y + 9) = 12 + 4 + 9
(x – 2)2 + (y + 3)2 = 25
NOTE: Concentric circles is defined as two or more circles which have the same center point.

Thus, the center of the given circle is at (2, –3). Since the unknown circle is concentric with
the given circle, then, its center is also at (2, – 3). To find its radius, we get the distance from
(2, – 3) to the line 3x – 4y = 3 by applying the formula for distance from a point to a line.

3(2)  4(3)  3
r = 3
3 2  (  4) 2

Hence, the equation of the unknown circle is

(x – 2)2 + (y + 3)2 = 9

x2 – 4x + 4 + y2 + 6y + 9 – 9 = 0.

or x2 + y2 – 4x + 6y + 4 = 0.

4
 The second-degree equation x2 + y2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 does not always graph into a
circle. To show this, let us complete the squares in and x and y in the general equation.

(x2 + Dx) + (y2 + Ey) = - F

( x2 + Dx + D2/4 ) + ( y2 + Ey + E2/4 ) = - F + D2/4 + E2/4
1
(x + D/2)2 + (y + E/2)2 = (D2 + E2 – 4F)
4

1 2
Comparing it to the standard form, we see that r 2  ( D  E 2  4 F ) . Since r2 > 0,
4
then

 D E
a. If D2 + E2 – 4F > 0, equation (3) represents a circle with center at   ,  and radius
 2 2
1
D 2  E 2  4F ;
2

b. If D2 + E2 – 4F < 0, there are no real values of x and y that can satisfy the equation. Hence,
there is no graph. In such a case, we say that equation (3) represents an imaginary circle.

c. If D2 + E2 – 4F = 0, equation (3) represents a single point and we call it a point circle.

Example 3. Determine the graph of each of the following second-degree equations:

a. x2 + y2 – 2x – 8y + 17 = 0
b. 4x2 + 4y2 + 24x – 4y + 40 = 0
c. x2 + y2 + 6x – 2y + 3 = 0

Solution:
a. x2 + y2 – 2x – 8y + 17 = 0

From the given, we see that D = –2, E = –8, and F = 17. Substituting these values in
the expression D2 + E2 – 4F, we have

D2 + E2 – 4F = (–2)2 + (–8)2 – 4(17)

= 4 + 64 – 68
= 0

Therefore, the graph of x2 + y2 – 2x – 8y + 17 = 0 is not a circle but just a point.

b. 4x2 + 4y2 + 24x – 4y + 40 = 0

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 Dividing all the terms of the equation by 4 we get x2 + y2 + 6x – y + 10 = 0. Hence,

D2 + E2 – 4F = 62 + (–1)2 – 4(10)
= 36 + 1 – 40
= –3
No real values of x and y can satisfy the given equation. Therefore, there is no graph.

c. x2 + y2 + 6x – 2y + 3 = 0

D2 + E2 – 4F = 62 + (–2)2 – 4(3)
= 36 + 4 – 12
= 28

Since the radius is a positive real number, then the given equation graphs into a circle.

PRACTICE EXERCISES 3.2

I. Find the center and radius of each of the following circles. Draw a sketch of each circle.
1. x 2  y 2  12 x  6 y  35  0

2. 4 x 2  4 y 2  4 x  12 y  15  0

3. x 2  y 2  5x  y  0

4. 5 x 2  5 y 2  19 x  30 y  15  0

5. 3x 2  3 y 2  6 x  12 y  10  0

II. Determine whether the given equation represents a circle, a point, or an imaginary circle
(null set).

1. x 2  y 2  4 x  0

2. x 2  y 2  4 x  6 y  15  0

3. x 2  y 2  2 x  4 y  5  0

4. 3x 2  3 y 2  6 x  5 y  1  0

5. 4 x 2  4 y 2  16 x  12 y  26  0

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3.3 Circle Determined by Three Conditions

We have seen from the equation of a circle, either written in standard form or in
general form, that there are three arbitrary constants. This means that three independent
geometric conditions are needed to determine a circle.

Example 1: Find an equation of a circle passing through the points A(1, 2), B(3, 4), and
C(5, 2).

Solution: The equation of the circle in general form is

x2 + y2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0

Substituting the coordinates of A, B, and C in the general equation, we get three linear
equations in the three unknowns D, E, and F. The three equations are

5 + D + 2E + F = 0 Equation 1
25 + 3D + 4E + F = 0 Equation 2
29 + 5D + 2E + F = 0 Equation 3

To get equation 3 consider point C(5, 2) and substitute the coordinates of point C in
the general equation.
x2 + y2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
52 + 22 + D(5) + E(2) + F = 0
25 + 4 + 5D + 2E + F = 0
29 + 5D + 2E + F = 0 Equation 3

Solving these three equations simultaneously, we get D = – 6, E = – 4, and F = 9. Hence, the

required equation is

x2 + y2 – 6x – 4y + 9 = 0

ANOTHER SOLUTION:

7
 A perpendicular bisector of a chord passes through the center of a circle. Thus, the
perpendicular bisectors of AB and BC intersect at the center of the circle. From our previous
lesson, the equation of the perpendicular bisectors of AB and BC are x  y  5 and x  y  1 ,
respectively. Solving the two equations for x and y, we get x = 3 and y = 2. Hence, the center
of the circle is at (3, 2). The radius of the circle is the distance from the center to any of the
three given points

r  (3  1) 2  (2  2) 2 = 2

Therefore, the equation of the circle is

( x  3) 2  ( y  2) 2  4
or
x 2  y 2  6x  4 y  9  0

Instead of passing through certain points, a circle may be tangent to certain lines or
that its center may lie on a given line. Combinations of point and line conditions may be used
to determine a circle.

Example 2: Find the equation of the circle through (–1, 2) and tangent to the axes.

Solution: Let (h, k) be the center of the circle. The three constants h, k, and r as shown in the
figure, must satisfy the following conditions:

(–1 – h)2 + (2 – k)2 = r2 Equation 1

Using the figure above we see r = k and Equation 2
r =–h Equation 3

8
 Using equation 1 (–1 – h)2 + (2 – k)2 = r2
1 + 2h + h2 + 4 – 4k + k2 = r2
Let h = –r & k = r 1 + 2(–r) + (–r)2 + 4 – 4r + r2 = r2
1 – 2r + r2 + 4 – 4r + r2 – r2 = 0
r2 – 6r + 5 = 0
(r – 5) (r – 1) = 0

It implies r = 5 and r = 1

The above system of equations have two sets of solutions:

h = –5 and h = –1
k=5 k=1
r =5 r =1

Thus, as indicated in the figure, there are two circles which satisfy the given conditions and
their equations are

(x + 5)2 + (y – 5)2 = 25 and (x + 1)2 + (y – 1)2 = 1

x2 + y2 + 10x – 10y + 25 = 0 x2 + y2 + 2x – 2y + 1 = 0

Example 3: Find an equation of a circle through the points A(2, –1) and B(–2, 0) with center
on the line 2x – y – 1 = 0.

Solution: The center of the circle lies on the perpendicular bisector of chord AB whose
equation is
8x – 2y – 1 = 0

9
Since the center of the unknown circle also lies on the line 2x – y – 1 = 0, then, their
intersection gives the center of the circle. Solving the two equations for x and y, we get

x=–¼ and y = – 3/2.

Hence, the center is at ( – ¼, –3/2). The radius is the distance from the center to any of
the two given points. Applying the distance formula

Consider point B(–2, 0)

r  (1 / 4  2) 2  (3 / 2  0) 2
85
r
4

Therefore, the required equation is

2 2
 1  3 85
x   y   
 4  2 16
Or
16 x 2  16 y 2  8 x  48 y  48  0

Example 4: Find an equation of a circle tangent to the lines 3x + 4y = 3 and 4x – 3y = 29 and

has its center on the line 2x – 3y + 4 = 0.

Solution: Let (h, k) be the coordinates of the center of the circle. Since the center is lying on
the line 2x – 3y + 4 = 0, its coordinates satisfy the equation. Hence,

10
 2h – 3k + 4 = 0 (1)

Using the directed distance between a line and a point, we get

4h  3k  29 3h  4k  3
d1  and d2 
5 5

But d1  d 2  r , thus,

4h  3k  29 3h  4k  3

5 5
7h  k  32  0 (2)

Solving equations (1) and (2) simultaneously, we get h = 4 and k = 4. The radius is

3(4)  4(4)  3
r 5
5

Therefore, the required equation is

( x – 4 )2 + ( y – 4 )2 = 25
Or
x2 + y2 - 8x - 8y + 7 = 0.

PRACTICE EXERCISES 3.3

I. Find the equation of the circle satisfying the given conditions.

1. Passing through the points (3, 0), (4, 2), and (0, 1).

2. Circumscribing the triangle with vertices A(2, 3), B(3, 2), and C(-4, 3).

3. Tangent to the line x + y = 2 at the point (4, -2) and the center is on the x-axis.

4. Tangent to the line 2x – y = 3 at the point (2, 1) and the center is on the y- axis.

5. Touching the line 3x – 2y = 5 at (3, 2) and passing through (-2, 1).

6. Tangent to the line x + y = 8 at (2, 6) and passing through (4, 0).

7. Passing through the points (2, 3) and (-1, 1) and has its center on the line

11
 3x – 8y – 8 = 0.

8. Passing through the point (7, 9), tangent to the x-axis, and has its center on the line

x – y + 1 = 0.

9. Tangent to the lines 2x + y + 3 = 0 and x – 2y – 6 = 0 and the line of center is

3x – y – 3 = 0.

3.4 Radical Axis

Let x2 + y2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 and x2 + y2 + D’x + E’y + F’ = 0 be

equations of two non-concentric circles. If the second equation is subtracted from the first, the
result would be

(D – D’)x + (E – E’)y + (F – F’) = 0 (4)

A linear equation in x and y. This is called the radical axis of the two circles.

Summarized below are the properties of a radical axis.

1. It is the line passing through the points of intersection of the circles if the circles
intersect in two distinct real points;
2. It is the common tangent line drawn at their point of tangency if the circles intersect in
one and only one point;
3. It is a real straight line even though the circles do not intersect in real points;
4. It is a straight line perpendicular to the line through the centers of the two circles;
5. It does not exist if the circles are concentric; and,
6. The radical axes of three circles (no two of which are concentric), taken in pairs,
intersect in a point called the radical center.

Example 1. Find the equation of the radical axis of the two circles x 2  y 2  4 x  3  0 and
x 2  y 2  2 x  4 y  19  0

Solution: Subtract the first equation from the second

x2 + y2 – 2x – 4y + 19 = 0
- x2 + y2 – 4x + 3 = 0

2x – 4y + 16 = 0 or x – 2y + 8 = 0

Hence, the required equation is x – 2y + 8 = 0.

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Example 2: Find the radical center of the three circles x 2  y 2  x  y  2  0 ,
x 2  y 2  7 x  5 y  8  0 , and x 2  y 2  3 .

Solution: The radical center of the three circles is the intersection of the radical axes of the
three circles, taken in pairs. Hence, there are three radical axes. However, the three radical
axes intersect in a single point only. Therefore, only two radical axes are needed to determine
the radical center of the three circles. The equation of the radical axis of the first two circles is

4x – 3y + 3 = 0

and the equation of the radical axis of the first and third circles is

x – y + 1 = 0.

Solving the two equations for x and y, we get x = 0 and y = 1. Thus, the radical center of the
three circles is at ( 0, 1).

(Note: The equation of the radical axis of the first and second circles as well as the equation
of the radical axis of the second and third circles can also be used to determine the radical
center.)

In a system of three coplanar circles the point of intersection of the three radical axes of each
of the three pairs of circles is called the radical center.

Example 3: Find the point where the common chord of the circles x 2  y 2  5 and
x 2  y 2  2 x  2 y  1 crosses their line of centers.

Solution: The equation of the radical axis of the given circles is

x + y = 3

The centers of the first and second circles are at (0, 0) and (1, 1), respectively. Using two-
point form of an equation of a line, the equation of the line joining the centers is

x–y=0

Solving the two equations for x and y, we get x = 3/2 and y = 3/2. Hence, the common chord
of the two circles crosses their line of centers at the point (3/2, 3/2).

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PRACTICE EXERCISES 3.4

I. Find the radical axis of the given pair of circles.

1. x 2  y 2  4 x  3  0 ; x 2  y 2  2 x  4 y  10  0

2. x 2  y 2  6 x  3 y  31 ; 2 x 2  2 y 2  3x  y  20

3. x 2  y 2  3x  5 y  12 ; ( x  3) 2  y 2  9

4. 4 x 2  4 y 2  12 y  5 ; x2  y2  9

5. 2 x 2  2 y 2  3x  y  5  0 ; 2x 2  2 y 2  4x  8 y  8  0

II. Find the radical center of the given circles

1. x 2  y 2  6 x  6 y  14  0 ; x2  y2  1; x 2  y 2  3x  2 y  4

2. ( x  4) 2  ( y  2) 2  1 ; x 2  ( y  3) 3  9 ; x 2  y 2  6 x  8 y  24  0

3. x 2  y 2  4 x  6 y  5  0 ; x 2  y 2  6 x  4 y  11  0 ; x 2  y 2  4 x  6 y  13  0

14