chevron icon chevron icon chevron icon chevron icon

Coordinate Geometry (Circles)

In this article, we will learn about circles in coordinate geometry. We will be covering the following:

  • Equation of Circle in Standard Form
  • Equation of Circle in General Form
  • Coordinate Geometry Problems involving Circles

Equation of Circle in Standard Form

Coordinate Geometry (Circles) Image 1

The standard form of the equation of a circle with centre \((a,b)\) and radius \(r\) is given by:

\(\begin{align*} (x-a)^2+(y-b)^2 &= r^2, & \text{where} \quad r>0. \end{align*}\) 

How is this equation derived?

Coordinate Geometry (Circles) Image 2

In the diagram above, the centre of the circle is \((a,b)\).

\((x_1,y_1)\) is any point on the circle. 

A horizontal line, \(\begin{align*} x_1-a \end{align*}\), and vertical line, \(\begin{align*} y_1-b \end{align*}\), are drawn such that a right-angled triangle is formed. 

The length of the right-angled triangle is \(\displaystyle{x_{1}-a}\) and the height is \(y_1-b\)

By using Pythagoras’ Theorem:

\(\begin{align*} (x_1-a)^2+(y_1-b)^2=r^2. \end{align*}\)

In the above equation, \(r\) is the radius and it is always greater than \(0\)

For equation of a circle in standard form, take note of the following:

  • The coefficient of \(x^2\) and \(y^2\) must be \(1\).
  • \(r\) should always be squared. 
  • \(r^2\) should be greater than \(0\).

 

Question 1:

The equation of a circle is \(\begin{align*} (x-2)^2+(y-1)^2=100 \end{align*}\). Write down its radius and the coordinates of its centre.

Solution:

\(\begin{align*} (x-2)^2+(y-1)^2=100 \end{align*}\)

Rewriting \(r^2\), we get:

\(\begin{align*} (x-2)^2+(y-1)^2=10^2 \end{align*}\)

Therefore,

Centre \(= (2,1)\).

Radius \(= 10\) units.

 

Question 2:

Find the equation of a circle with centre \(C(-1,0)\) and radius \(4\), leaving your answer in standard form.

Solution:

The standard form of the equation of a circle is:

\(\begin{align*} (x-a)^2+(y-b)^2=r^2 \end{align*}\).

We are given:

Centre \(= (-1, 0)\)

Radius \(= 4\)

 

So, the equation will be:

\(\displaystyle{\big[x-(-1)\big]^2 + (y-0)^2 = 4^2} \)

Simplifying, we get:

\(\begin{align*} (\;x+1)^2+y^2= 16 \end{align*}\)

 

Equation of Circle in General Form 

Coordinate Geometry (Circles) Image 3

The standard form of the equation of a circle can be rewritten in the General Form as:

\(x^2+y^2+2gx+2fy+c=0 \) 

where \(g^2+f^2-c>0,\)

\((-g,-f)\) is the centre, and,

\(\sqrt {g^2+f^2-c}\) is the radius. 

 

Question 3:

Find the coordinates of the centre and radius of the circle with equation

\(x^2+y^2+2x-14y+14=0.\)

 

Solution:

Method 1: 

Using The General Form of Equation of Circle

For,

\(x^2+y^2+2x-14y+14=0\)

Let the centre be \((-g,-f)\)

So,

\(\begin{align*} 2g &=2 \\[2ex] -g &= -1 \end{align*}\)

And,

\(\begin{align*} 2f &=-14 \\[2ex] -f &=7 \end{align*}\)

Therefore, centre \(= (\,–1, 7\,)\)

 

\(\begin{align*} \small{\mathrm{Radius}} &= \sqrt {g^2+f^2-c}\\[2ex] &= \sqrt {1^2+(-7)^2-14} \\[2ex] &= \sqrt {36} \\[2ex] &= 6\small{\text{ units}} \end{align*}\)

 

Method 2: 

By Completing the Square

\(x^2+y^2+2x-14y+14=0\)

We will rewrite as:

\(\begin{align*} x^2+2x+y^2-14y+7^2-7^2+14 &=0 \\ x^2+2x+1^2-1^2+y^2-14y+7^2-7^2+14 &=0 \\ (x+1)^2-1^2+(y-7)^2-7^2+14 &=0 \\ (x+1)^2+(y-7)^2&=1^2+7^2-14 \\ (x+1)^2+(y-7)^2&=36 \\ [\,x-(-1)\,]^2+(y-7)^2&=6^2 \end{align*}\)

Therefore, 

Centre \(= (–1, 7).\)

Radius \(= 6\) units.

 

Question 4:

Find the equation of the circle which touches the x-axis and with a centre of \((3, −2).\)

Solution:

Coordinate Geometry (Circles) Image 4

From the sketch, the circle touches the x-axis at \((3, 0).\) 
This implies that radius \(\begin{align}\\[2ex] &= 0-(-2)\\[2ex] &= 2 \text{ untis} \end{align}\)

Hence, 

\(\begin{align*} (x-3)^2 + \big[ y - ( - 2 ) \big]^2 &= 2^2 \\[2ex] (x-3)^2 + ( y + 2 )^2 &= 4 \end{align*} \)

Conclusion

In this article, we studied the standard form and general form of the equation of circles. Through the questions included in the article, we also learned how to derive the equation of a circle given its centre and radius, and vice versa.

Keep learning! Keep improving!
 

Continue Learning
Quadratic Functions in Real-World Context Equations and Inequalities
Logarithmic Functions Surds
Polynomials & Cubic Equations Partial Fraction
Exponential Functions Coordinate Geometry (Circles)
Linear Law Binomial Theorem
Resources - Academic Topics
icon expand icon collapse Primary
icon expand icon collapse Secondary
icon expand icon collapse
Book a free product demo
Suitable for primary & secondary
select dropdown icon
Our Education Consultants will get in touch with you to offer your child a complimentary Strength Analysis.
Book a free product demo
Suitable for primary & secondary
icon close
Default Wrong Input
Get instant access to
our educational content
Start practising and learning.
No Error
arrow down arrow down
No Error
*By submitting your phone number, we have
your permission to contact you regarding
Geniebook. See our Privacy Policy.
Success
Let’s get learning!
Download our educational
resources now.
icon close
Error
Error
Oops! Something went wrong.
Let’s refresh the page!
Claim your free demo today!
Geniebook CTA Illustration Geniebook CTA Illustration
Turn your child's weaknesses into strengths
Geniebook CTA Illustration Geniebook CTA Illustration
close icon
close icon
Turn your child's weaknesses into strengths
Trusted by over 220,000 students.
 
Arrow Down Arrow Down
 
Error
Oops! Something went wrong.
Let’s refresh the page!
Error
Oops! Something went wrong.
Let’s refresh the page!
We got your request!
A consultant will be contacting you in the next few days to schedule a demo!
*By submitting your phone number, we have your permission to contact you regarding Geniebook. See our Privacy Policy.