Equation of a

Circle
Mathematics 10
 Objectives
• determine if a given equation represents a
circle, a point, or an empty set
• sketch the graph of a circle
 Miriam Ideal in Focus
A circle, with its shape, can be associated with
one’s own self. The act of selflessness can expand
oneself by helping us grow as a person as we
develop new skills, perspectives, and values.

SELFLESSNESS
 Miriam Ideal in Focus
However, selflessness can also contract our own
self by neglecting our own needs and desires and
by sacrificing our happiness for the sake of others.

“What are the things you have sacrificed for

someone’s happiness?”
Discussion
Equation of a Circle
 How to sketch the graph of a circle
1. Determine the radius length and the coordinates
of the center.
2. On a coordinate plane, locate and plot the center
(h, k).
3. Mark 4 points which are r units away from the
center.
4. Sketch the circle passing through the four points
in step 2.
6
Example #1 y

Sketch the graph of the circle with

center at (2, 1) and radius length of
3 units.
1. Locate and plot the center.
2. From the center, mark the 4 points
which are 3 units up, 3 units down,
3 units to the left, and 3 units to the
right. These are the other endpoints x
of 4 radii of the circle.
3. Sketch the circle passing through
the 4 points in step 2.
 y
Example #2
Sketch the graph of the circle whose
equation is x2 + (y + 3)2 = 4.
x
1. Determine the coordinates of the
center first.

The equation is in center-radius

form with h = 0 and k = -3, so the
center is at (0, -3). Plot this point.
 y
Example #2
Sketch the graph of the circle whose
equation is x2 + (y + 3)2 = 4.
2. Determine the radius length.
x
From the equation, we know that r2 = 4.
Getting the square root of both sides
gives us r = 2.
The radius is 2 units long. From the
center, mark the 4 points which are 2
units up, 2 units down, 2 units to the
left, and 2 units to the right. x2 + (y + 3)2 = 4
3. Sketch the graph of the circle passing
through the 4 points in step 2.
Example #3 y
Determine the equation of the circle
represented by the graph. A(-3, 1)
1. Determine the center.
The center is at (-3, -2). r=3 x
2. Determine the radius length.
Find the distance from the center to any C(-3, -2)
point on the circle. (Hint: It is best to
use a point with exact coordinates.)
2 2
AC = −3 − −3 + 1 − (−2)

𝐀𝐂 = 𝟑
The radius is 3 units long.
Example #3 y
Determine the equation of the circle
represented by the graph. A(-3, 1)
3. Write the standard form of the
equation of the circle. r=3 x
x−h 2 + y−k 2 = r2
x − (−3) 2
+ y − (−2) 2
= 32 C(-3, -2)

𝐱+𝟑 𝟐 + 𝐲+𝟐 𝟐 =𝟗
 Degenerate Cases of a Circle
The equation (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2 does NOT always describe
the graph of a circle.
Depending on the value of r2, the following cases may happen:
• If r2 > 0, the equation describes a CIRCLE with center
at (h, k) and radius r.
• If r2 = 0, the equation describes a SINGLE POINT (h, k).
• If r2 < 0, the equation does NOT HAVE A GRAPH.
Example #4
Describe the graph of the equation, x2 + y2 – 12y + 40 = 0.

Write the equation in standard form.

x2 + (y2 – 12y) = – 40
x2 + (y2 – 12y + 36) = – 40 + 36
x2 + (y – 6)2 = – 4
r2 = - 4
Since r2 < 0, the equation has NO GRAPH.
Example #5
Describe the graph of the equation, x2 + y2 + 6x + 8y + 5 = 0.

Write the equation in standard form.

(x2 + 6x) + (y2 + 8y) = – 5
(x2 + 6x + 9) + (y2 + 8y + 16) = –5 + 9 + 16
(x + 3)2 + (y + 4)2 = 20 r2 = 20

Since r2 > 0, the graph of the equation is A CIRCLE with

center at (-3, -4) and radius 𝟐 𝟓.
Example #6
Describe the graph of the equation, x2 + y2 – 10x + 4y + 29 = 0.

Write the equation in standard form.

(x2 – 10x) + (y2 + 4y) = –29
(x2 – 10x + 25) + (y2 + 4y + 4) = –29 + 25 + 4
(x – 5)2 + (y + 2)2 = 0 r2 = 0

Since r2 = 0, the graph of the equation is the POINT (5, -2).

 Reminders
• Do pp. 21-22 of your workbook as HW #7. This
will be checked on Thursday (November 23).

• To earn additional recitation points, you may

answer pp. 19-20 of your workbook. 2 recitation
points will be credited for every correct answer.
You can use the next slide as reference for the
answer key.
Answer Key for Practice Exercises (pp. 19-20)
Answer Key for Practice Exercises (pp. 19-20)
Answer Key for Practice Exercises (pp. 19-20)
Answer Key for Practice Exercises (pp. 19-20)
Answer Key for Practice Exercises (pp. 19-20)
Thanks!
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