S.5 Math/ch.7/p.

Liu Po Shan Memorial College

S.5 Mathematics
Chapter 7 Equations of Circles
Name: ____________________( ) Date: _________________

7.1 Equations of Circles

Objectives: 1. Understand and apply the standard form to find equations of circles.
2. Understand and apply the general form to find equations of circles.

Key Points
Standard form (centre-radius form)
2 2 2
The equation of a circle in standard form with centre C(h, k) and radius r is (x – h) + (y – k) = r .

Example 1 (Level 1)
Find the equation of each of the following circles with the given centre C and radius r. (Leave your
answers in the standard form.)
3
(a) C(0, 0), r =
2
(b) C(1, –5), r = 3
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.2

Let’s Try 1
Find the equation of each of the following circles with the given centre C and radius r. (Leave your
answers in the standard form.)
(a) C(0, 0), r = 6
3
(b) C(0, 4), r =
2
(c) C(–4, –3), r = 2 3

Example 2 (Level 1)
For each of the following equations of circles, find the centre and the radius of the circle. (Leave
your answers in surd form if necessary.)
(a) ( x + 6) 2 + ( y − 3) 2 = 64
(b) ( x + 1) 2 + y 2 = 5
(c) (3 x − 7) 2 + 9( y − 3) 2 = 36
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.3

Key Points
General form
2 2
x + y + Dx + Ey + F = 0 is known as the general form of the equation of a circle, where

 D E
centre ( h, k ) =  − , −  and
 2 2

2 2
D E
radius r = h 2 + k 2 − F =   +   − F
 2 2
2 2
2  D  E
Note: (i) If r > 0, i.e.   +   − F  0 , then it is a real circle.
 2 2
2 2
2  D  E
(ii) If r = 0, i.e.   +   − F = 0 , then it is a point circle.
 2 2
2 2
2  D  E
(iii) If r < 0, i.e.   +   − F  0 , then it is an imaginary circle.
 2 2

Let’s Check

1. In each of the following, convert the standard form of the equation of a circle to the
general form.

(a) (x + 7)2 + y2 = 60

(b) (x – 3)2 + (y + 1)2 = 6

2 2
 1  3
(c)  x −  +  y +  = 4
 2  2

2. Determine whether each of the following equations represents a circle. If yes, put a ‘✓’ in
the box; otherwise, put a ‘’.

(a) x2 + y2 – 2x – 4 = 0 □

(b) x2 – y2 + 3x + 2y + 1 = 0 □

(c) x2 + 2y2 + 2x + 4y – 3 = 0 □

(d) x2 + y2 – 6x + xy – 4 = 0 □
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.4

Example 3 (Level 1)
For each of the following equations of circles, find the centre and the radius of the circle. (Leave
your answers in surd form if necessary.)
(a) x2 + y2 − 4x + 7 y = 0
(b) 3x 2 + 3 y 2 + 6 x + 4 y − 1 = 0

Let’s Try 3
For each of the following equations of circles, find the centre and the radius of the circle. (Leave
your answers in surd form if necessary.)
(a) x2 + y2 + 8x + 6y = 0
(b) x2 + y2 – 8x – 3 = 0
(c) x2 + y2 + 12y + 20 = 0
(d) 2x2 + 2y2 – 5x – 8y + 1 = 0
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.5

Example 4 (Level 1)
It is given that the equation of a real circle is x 2 + y 2 − 8 x + 4 y + h = 0 , where h is a constant.
(a) Find the range of values of h.
(b) If h is a positive even number, find the minimum radius of the circle. (Leave your answer in
surd form.)

Let’s Try 4.1

It is given that the equation of a real circle is x2 + y2 + 4x – 14y + m = 0, where m is a constant.
(a) Find the range of values of m.
(b) If m is an odd number, find the radius of the circle for the maximum value of m. (Leave your
answer in surd form.)
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.6

Let’s Try 4.2

Find the range of values of k such that the circle x 2 + y 2 + kx − 4 y + 13 = 0 cannot be drawn in the
rectangular coordinate plane.

Example 5 (Level 1)
 3 
A circle with centre C  − , − 1 passes through the point A(0, 1).
 2 
(a) Find the equation of the circle.
 3 3
(b) Does the circle pass through the point B  − ,  ?
 2 2

Let’s Try 5
A circle with its centre at C(7, 1) passes through the origin.
(a) Find the equation of the circle.
(b) Does the circle pass through the point
Q(1, 5)?
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.7

Example 6 (Level 1)
It is given two points A(0, 6) and B(7, 2). If AB is a diameter of a circle, find the equation of the
circle.

Let’s Try 6.1

It is given that A(4, –6) and B(8, –10) are the end points of a diameter of a circle. Find the equation
of circle.

Let’s Try 6.2

The figure shows a circle passing through A, B(–4, 2) and C(6, –8). E is a
point inside the circle such that BEC is a straight line and
AE = BE = CE .
NF (a) Show that △ABC is a right-angled triangle.
(b) Find the equation of the circle passing through A, B and C.
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.8

Example 7 (Level 2)
It is given that A(0, 5), B(–5, 0) and C(1, 4) are points on a circle. Find the equation of the circle.

Let’s Try 7
It is given that A(0, 0), B(0, 8) and C(–4, 2) are points on a circle. Find the equation of the circle.

Textbook page 7.17 Ex7A

 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.9

7.2 More about Equations of Circles

Objectives: 1. Determine whether a point lies outside, inside or on a circle.

2. Find the equations of circles based on other given information.

Key Points
Determining whether a point lies outside, inside or on a circle

Consider a circle with centre C and radius r. A point P in a rectangular coordinate plane may lie outside, inside or

on the circle. It can be determined by comparing the distance between C and P with the radius r as follows:

Let’s Check

Given the circle x2 + y2 + 4x – 8y – 5 = 0 , determine whether each of the following points lie on,
inside or outside the circle.

(a) A(–4, –2)

(b) B(0, 8)

(c) C(1, 0)

(d) D(2, 5)

(e) E(–7, 4)

(f) F(–3, 9)
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.10

Example 8 (Level 1)
In the figure, the circle passes through two points A(–4, 6) and B(–2, 2). The centre C of the circle
lies on the line x = –7.

(a) Find the equation of the circle.

(b) Determine whether the point P(–8, –2) lies on, inside or outside the circle.

Let’s Try 8
A circle passes through two points P(4, 2) and Q(–6, –2), and its centre lies on the y-axis.
(a) Find the equation of the circle.
(b) Determine whether the point R(6, 1) lies on, inside or outside the circle.
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.11

Example 9 (Level 1)
In the figure, the x-axis, the straight lines
y = −8 and x = –6 touch the circle at points A, B and C respectively.

(a) Find the radius of the circle.

(b) Hence, find the equation of the circle.

Let’s Try 9.1

In the figure, the circle touches the x-axis at the point A(9, 0). The straight line x = 5 is a tangent to
the circle. Find the equation of the circle.
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.12

Let’s Try 9.2

In the figure, the straight lines y = 3, y = −8 and the y-axis touch the
circle at points A, B and C respectively.
(a) Find the radius of the circle.
(b) Hence, find the equation of the circle.

Example 10 (Level 2)
In the figure, the circle cuts the x-axis at O and point A. Its centre C lies on the straight line
L : 3x + 4 y = 0 . It is given that the diameter of the circle is 10 and OA = 8 .

(a) Find the equation of the circle.

(b) If the circle cuts the positive y-axis at P, find the coordinates of P.
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.13

Let’s Try 10.1

In the figure, the circle cuts the x-axis at two points A and B. Its centre C lies on the straight line L:
x + 2y – 50 = 0. It is given that the radius of the circle is 17 and AB = 16.

(a) Find the equation of the circle.

(b) Find the coordinates of A and B.

Let’s Try 10.2

Find the possible equations of the circle which cuts the y-axis at O and point A, where OA = 24, and
with its centre being 5 units from the positive y-axis.

Textbook page 7.24 Ex17B

 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.14

7.3 Intersection between a Straight

Line and a Circle

Objectives: 1. Learn to find the coordinates of the intersection(s) of a straight line and a circle.
2. Determine the number of intersections of a straight line and a circle.
3. Find the equations of tangents to a circle.

Key Points
Coordinates of intersections between a straight line and a circle

The coordinates of the intersections between a straight line L: y = mx + c and a circle S: x2 + y2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 can be
found by solving the simultaneous equations:

 y = mx + c

 2
 x + y + Dx + Ey + F = 0
2


Example 11 (Level 1)
In the figure, the circle S : x 2 + y 2 + 2 x − 15 = 0 and the straight line L1 : x − 2 y + 5 = 0 intersect at
two points A and B.

(a) Find the coordinates of A and B.

(b) Do the circle S and the horizontal line y = –4 intersect? If yes, find the coordinates of their
intersection(s).
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.15

Let’s Try 11
In the figure, the circle
S: x2 + y2 – 8x – 12y + 47 = 0 touches the straight line L1: x – 2y + 13 = 0 at point A, and cuts the
straight line L2: x – 2y + 8 = 0 at two points B and C.

(a) Find the coordinates of A, B and C.

(b) Do the circle S and the vertical line
L3 : x = 1 intersect? If yes, find the coordinates of their intersection(s).

Key Points
Number of intersections between a straight line and a circle

By substituting y = mx + c into x2 + y2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0, we can obtain the quadratic equation

x2 + (mx + c)2 + Dx + E(mx + c) + F = 0 ......(*)

Note: (i) If Δ = 0, then the straight line is called the tangent to the circle. (see Case 2)
(ii) The converses of the above three cases are also true.
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.16

Example 12 (Level 1)
In each of the following, determine the number of intersections between the given straight line and
circle.
(a)  y = −2 x − 2
 2
x + y − 8x + 3 = 0
2

(b)  x + y = 3
 2
 x + y + 2 x + 8 y − 15 = 0
2

(c)  x + 2 y + 5 = 0
 2
 x + y − 11x + 3 y + 3 = 0
2
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.17

Let’s Try 12
In each of the following, determine the number of intersections between the given straight line L
and circle S.
(a) L: y = –x + 6, S: x2 + y2 – 6x – y + 7 = 0
(b) L: x + 7y = 8, S: x2 + y2 – 5x + 2y + 1 = 0
(c) L: 4x + 3y + 5 = 0, S: x2 + y2 + 4x + 8y + 11 = 0
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.18

Example 13 (Level 2)
The straight line L: x + 3y + k = 0, where k is a constant, is a tangent to the circle
C: x2 + y2 + 9x + 3y = 0.
(a) Find the two possible values of k.
(b) For each of the values of k found in (a), find the point of contact between L and C.
(c) Let the points found in (b) be P and Q. Someone claims that PQ is a diameter of C. Do you
agree? Explain your answer.

Let’s Try 13
The straight line L: 2x + y – k = 0, where k is a constant, touches the circle
C: x2 + y2 + 4x – 6y – 7 = 0 at the point P.
(a) Find all the possible values of k.
(b) Find the coordinates of P for the negative value of k found in (a).
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.19

Key Points
Equations of tangents to a circle

If the line L is a tangent to the circle S at A (assume that C is the centre of the circle S), we

may make use of the following properties to find the values of m and c, i.e. the equation

of L.

(i) The line L is always perpendicular to the radius AC.

(ii) The value of the discriminant (Δ) of (*) is equal to 0.

Example 14 (Level 1)
Consider the circle S : x 2 + y 2 − 6 x + 4 y − 12 = 0 and the point A(7, –5).
(a) Show that A lies on the circle S.
(b) Find the equation of the tangent to the circle S at A.

Let’s Try 14
Consider the circle S: x2 + y2 + 2x – 2y – 11 = 0 and the point A(2, –1).
(a) Show that A lies on the circle S.
(b) Find the equation of the tangent to the circle S at A.
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.20

Example 15 (Level 1)
Find the equations of the tangents to the circle S : x 2 + y 2 − 4 x − 20 y − 21 = 0 which are parallel to
the straight line L: x + 2y + 8 = 0.

Let’s Try 15
Find the equations of the tangents to the circle S: x2 + y2 – 4x – 4y – 2 = 0 which are parallel to the
straight line L: y = 3x + 5.

Example 16 (Level 1)
Find the equations of the tangents to the circle x 2 + y 2 − 2 x − 4 y − 20 = 0 with y-intercept 9.
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.21

Let’s Try 16.1

Find the equations of the tangents to the circle x2 + y2 + 12x + 2y + 29 = 0 from the point A(0, 1).

Let’s Try 16.2

Find the equations of the tangents to the circle x2 + y2 + 2x – 3 = 0 which pass through the point
A(2, 2).
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.22

Example 17 (Level 2)
The figure shows a circle ABC with centre F lying on BC. D is a point outside the circle such that
ABC = BDC and BC = BD . E is a point on AB such that the area of △BCD is 4 times that of
△ACE.

(a) (i) Show that BD is the tangent to the circle at B.

(ii) Show that E is the mid-point of AB.
(b) A rectangular coordinate system is introduced in the figure so that the equation of the circle is
x 2 + y 2 − 16 x − 12 y + k = 0 and the equation of AB is 7 x + y = 37 . If the coordinates of E are
 9 11 
 ,  , find the value of k.
2 2 
 S.5 Math/ch.7/p.23

Let’s Try 17
The figure shows a circle ABC with centre F lying on AC. D is a point outside the circle such that
△ABC ~ △ACD. E is a point on AB such that the area of △AEC is equal to the area of
△BEC.

(a) (i) Show that CD is the tangent to the circle at C.

(ii) Show that E is the mid-point of AB.
(b) A rectangular coordinate system is introduced in the figure so that the equation of the circle is
x 2 + y 2 − 2 x − 10 y + 1 = 0 and the equation of AD is x + 7 y = 11 . Find the coordinates of E.

Textbook page 7.38 Ex7C