Chapter 3: Circles (Laid-Back, Slightly Humorous, and In-Depth)
Welcome to the round party! In this chapter, we’ll explore everything circular: - How to recognize a
circle’s equation on the coordinate plane. - How to convert between the neat “standard” form and the
more flexible “general” form. - Key facts about centers and radii. - Real-life examples (think wheels, pizza
cutouts, planet orbits).
3.1 What Is a Circle in Coordinate Geometry?
• Definition: A circle is the set of all points that are a fixed distance (the radius, r ) from a fixed
point (the center, (h, k) ).
• Why it’s cool: Circles show up everywhere—from gears in machines to the paths of satellites.
Quick Joke: A circle said to a line, “I’m not going anywhere—unlike you, I’m always well-
rounded.”
Practice 3.1 1. Give two real-world objects or phenomena that have circular cross-sections. 2. In your
own words, describe what the radius and center represent.
3.2 Standard Form of a Circle’s Equation
The nicest, neatest way to write a circle’s equation is:
(x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = r2 ,
where: - (h, k) = center of the circle. - r = radius (distance from center to any point on the circle).
How to use it: 1. Identify h, k from the expression: if it’s (x − 2)2 + (y + 1)2 = 9 , then the center is
(2, −1) .
2. Find r by taking the square root of the right-hand side: r = 9=3.
Example 3.2:
Standard form: (x + 4)2 + (y − 2)2 = 25 - Center: (−4, 2) - Radius: r = 5
Tip: Pay attention to the signs: (x + a) means h = −a .
Practice 3.2 1. For (x − 1)2 + (y − 3)2 = 16 , find center and radius.
2. Sketch a circle with center (0, 0) and radius 4.
3. True or false: The circle (x − 5)2 + (y + 2)2 = 0 has radius 0. Explain.
3.3 General Form of a Circle’s Equation
Sometimes the equation isn’t already nice and squared. It might look like:
x2 + y 2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0.
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To find the center and radius, we complete the square.
Steps to convert to standard form:
1. Group x terms and y terms:
x2 + Dx + y 2 + Ey = −F .
2. Complete the square for each group:
3. Add and subtract (D/2)2 inside the x group.
4. Add and subtract (E/2)2 inside the y group.
5. Factor each perfect square trinomial.
6. Move constants to the right side and simplify to (x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = r2 .
Example 3.3:
x2 + y 2 − 6x + 8y + 9 = 0.
1. Group: x2 − 6x and y 2 + 8y ; move 9 over:
x2 − 6x + y 2 + 8y = −9.
2. Complete the square: - x2 − 6x + 9 = (x − 3)2 (we added 9 ).
2 2
- y + 8y + 16 = (y + 4) (we added 16 ).
Keep track: we added a total of 9 + 16 = 25 to the left, so add 25 to the right:
(x − 3)2 + (y + 4)2 = −9 + 25 = 16.
3. Read off center and radius: - Center (3, −4) - Radius r =4
Fun Fact: Completing the square is like magic—turning messy algebra into recognizable
shapes.
Practice 3.3 1. Convert x2 + y 2 + 4x − 10y + 13 = 0 to standard form; find its center and radius.
2. Why must the right-hand side be positive for a real circle? (Hint: think radius!).
3. Given a general-form circle that reduces to (x + 2)2 + (y − 5)2 = −4 , what does that tell you
about the circle?
3.4 Applications & Real-World Examples
1. GPS and navigation: Circles of equal distance from satellites.
2. Engineering: Designing gears—teeth are placed on circles.
3. Astronomy: Orbits of planets (approximate circles).
Practice 3.4 1. A radar station at (2, −1) detects an aircraft at all points exactly 10 units away. Write the
equation of that detection circle.
2. If two cell towers at (0, 0) and (8, 0) both detect a signal at distance 5, what is the locus of possible
positions of the phone?
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3.5 Chapter Review & Challenge Questions
1. Quick Recap: List the two main forms of a circle’s equation and the info each form readily gives
you.
2. Puzzle: The circle (x − 1)2 + (y + 2)2 = 20 and x2 + y 2 = 8x + 4y + k represent the same
circle. Find k .
3. Extended Challenge: Prove that the line connecting the centers of two intersecting circles
passes through the intersection points of the circles.
Next Up: Chapter 4 will dive into Conic Sections—parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas. Get ready for
some elegant curves!
