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ACT Math : How to find the equation of a circle

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

Example Questions
ACT Math Help » Algebra » Coordinate Plane » Circles » How to find the equation of a circle

Find The Equation Of A Circle : Example Question #1

In the standard (x, y) coordinate plane, what is the radius and the center of the circle 
(x − 5) + (y + 4) = 27 ?
2 2

Possible Answers:
–
Center : (5, −4) Radius : 3√3

–
Center : (−4, 5) Radius : 3√3

–
Center : (−5, 4) Radius : 3√3

Center : (5, −4) Radius : 27

Center : (−5, 4) Radius : 27

Correct answer:
–
Center : (5, −4) Radius : 3√3

Explanation:

When finding the center and radius of circle (x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = r2, the center is (h, k) and
the radius is r. Notice that they are not negative even though in the equation they have
negative signs in front. This becomes important when dealing with real numbers. Also, notice
the square of r.

Our circle, (x − 5)2 + (y + 4)2 = 27 has the same principles applied as the above principle,
therefore (5, −4) is our center. Notice how the numbers signs have been switched. This is the
case for all circles due to the negative in the base equation above.

To find the radius of a circle, you must take the number the equation is equal to and square
−− –
root it. This is due to the square of r mentioned above. The √27 = 3√3 . Use the least common
multiples of 27 to find that three 3’s make up 27. Take two threes out as the square root of a
number multiplied by itself is itself. This leaves one 3 under the radical. Therefore our radius
–
is 3√3 .
–
Center: (5, −4) Radius: 3√3
Report an Error

Find The Equation Of A Circle : Example Question #2

In the standard (x, y) coordinate plane, what is the area of the circle x2 + y

2
= 169 ?

Possible Answers:

12π

26π

13π

28, 561π

169π

Correct answer:

169π

Explanation:

The general equation of a circle is x2 + y

2 2
= r .

According to the question, r2 = 169 . Thus, r = 13 .

The general equation for the area of a circle isA = πr

2
.

When we plug in 13 for r, we get our area to equal 169π.

Report an Error

Find The Equation Of A Circle : Example Question #3

A circle in the standard coordinate plane is tangent to the x-axis at (3,0) and tangent to the y-
axis at (0,3). What is the equation of the circle?

Possible Answers:
2 2
(x + 3) + (y + 3) = 9

2 2
(x − 3) + (y − 3) = 3

2 2
(x − 3) − (y − 3) = 9

2 2
(x − 3) + (y − 3) = 9

2 2
(x + 3) + (y + 3) = 3
Correct answer:
2 2
(x − 3) + (y − 3) = 9

Explanation:

The formula for the equation of a circle is (x – h)2+ (y – k)2 = r2, where (h, k) represents the
coordinates of the center of the circle, and r represents the radius of the circle.

If a circle is tangent to the x-axis at (3,0), this means it touches the x-axis at that point. If a
circle is tangent to the y-axis at (0,3), this means it touches the y-axis at that point. Given these
two points, we can determine the center and the radius of the circle. The center of the circle
must be equidistant from any of the points on the circumference. This means that both (0,3)
and (3,0) are the same distance from the center. If we draw these points on a coodinate plane,
it becomes apparent that the center of the circle must be (3,3). This point is exactly three units
from each of the given points, indicating that the radius of the circle is 3.

When we input this information into the formula for a circle, we get (x – 3)2 + (y – 3)2 = 9.

Report an Error

Find The Equation Of A Circle : Example Question #4

Which of the following gives the equation of a circle tangent to the line y = −2 with its center
at (3, 2) ?

Possible Answers:
2 2
(x − 3) + (y − 2) = 64

(x + 3) + (y + 2) = 4

2 2
(x − 3) + (y − 2) = 16

2 2
(x + 3) + (y + 2) = 64

2 2
(x − 3) + (y − 2) = 4

Correct answer:
2 2
(x − 3) + (y − 2) = 16

Explanation:
The equation for a circle is (x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2, where (h,k) is the center of the circle and r is
the radius.

We can eliminate (x+3) +(y+2) = 4 and (x+3)2 + (y+2)2 = 64. The first equation does not square
the terms in parentheses, and the second refers to a center of (-3,-2) rather than (3,2).

Drawing the line y = -2 and a point at (3,2) for the center of the circle, we see that the only way
the line could be tangent to the circle is if it touches the bottom-most part of the circle, directly
under the center. The point of intersection will be (3,-2). From this, we can see that the distance
from the center to this point of intersection is 4 units between (3,2) and (3,-2). This means the
radius of the circle is 4.

Use the center point and the radius in the formula for a circle to find the final answer: (x - 3)2 +
(y - 2)2 = 16

Report an Error

Find The Equation Of A Circle : Example Question #5

Find the equation of the circle with center coordinates of (2, 4)  and a radius of 3 .

Possible Answers:
2 2
(x − 2) + (y − 9) = 4

2 2
(x − 2) + (y − 4) = 3

2 2
(x − 4) + (x − 2) = 9

2 2
(x − 2) + (y − 4) = 9

Correct answer:
2 2
(x − 2) + (y − 4) = 9

Explanation:

The equation of a circle is (x − h)

2 2 2

+ (y − k) = r

The center is (2, 4)  or, written another way (h, k) . Substituting 2  for h  and 4  for k , our
formula becomes (x − 2)2 + (y − 4)2 = 32

Finally, the formula of the circle is (x − 2)2 + (y − 4)

2
= 9

Report an Error

Find The Equation Of A Circle : Example Question #6

On the xy plane, what is the area of a circle with the following equation:
2 2
(x + 2) + (y − 3) = 64

Possible Answers:

13π

64π

50π

16π

8π

Correct answer:

64π

Explanation:

The standard form equation of a circle is (x − h)2 + (y − h)2 = r2, where (h, k)  is the center
of the circle and r is equal to the radius. Thus, since we have the circle's standard form
equation already given to us, we can ignore h  and k , since all we need is r2 .

The area of circle is equal to πr2 , which is equal to 64π .

Report an Error

Find The Equation Of A Circle : Example Question #7

A circle has a center at (5,5) and a radius of 2. If the format of the equation for the circle
is (x+A)2+(y+B)2=C, what is C?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

4
Explanation:

The circle has a center at (5,5) and a radius of 2. Therefore, the equation is (x+5)2+(y+5)2=22,
or (x+5)2+(y+5)2=4. 

Report an Error

Find The Equation Of A Circle : Example Question #8

If the center of a circle is at (0,4) and the diameter of the circle is 6, what is the equation of that
circle?

Possible Answers:

x2 + (y-4)2 = 36

(x-4)2 + y2 = 36

x2 + y2 = 9

(x-4)2 + y2 = 9

x2 + (y-4)2 = 9

Correct answer:

x2 + (y-4)2 = 9

Explanation:

The formula for the equation of a circle is:

(x-h) 2 + (y-k)2 = r2

Where (h,k) is the center of the circle.

h = 0 and k = 4

and diameter = 6 therefore radius = 3

(x-0) 2 + (y-4)2 = 32

x2 + (y-4)2 = 9

Report an Error

Find The Equation Of A Circle : Example Question #9

Circle A is given by the equation (x – 4)2 + (y + 3)2 = 29. Circle A is shifted up five units and left
by six units. Then, its radius is doubled. What is the new equation for circle A?

Possible Answers:

(x – 2)2 + (y + 2)2 = 58

(x + 2)2 + (y – 2)2 = 116

(x + 2)2 + (y – 2)2 = 58

(x – 10)2 + (y + 8)2 = 58

(x – 10)2 + (y + 8)2 = 116

Correct answer:

(x + 2)2 + (y – 2)2 = 116

Explanation:

The general equation of a circle is (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2, where (h, k) represents the location of
the circle's center, and r represents the length of its radius. 

Circle A first has the equation of (x – 4)2 + (y + 3)2 = 29. This means that its center must be
located at (4, –3), and its radius is √29.

We are then told that circle A is shifted up five units and then left by six units. This means that
the y-coordinate of the center would increase by five, and the x-coordinate of the center would
decrease by 6. Thus, the new center would be located at (4 – 6, –3 + 5), or (–2, 2).

We are then told that the radius of circle A is doubled, which means its new radius is 2√29.

Now, that we have circle A's new center and radius, we can write its general equation using (x
– h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2.

(x – (–2))2 + (y – 2)2 = (2√29)2 = 22(√29)2 = 4(29) = 116.

(x + 2)2 + (y – 2)2 = 116.

The answer is (x + 2)2 + (y – 2)2 = 116.

Report an Error

Find The Equation Of A Circle : Example Question #10

Which of the following equations describes all the points (x, y) in a coordinate plane that are
five units away from the point (–3, 6)?

Possible Answers:

(x – 3)2 + (y + 6)2 = 5

(x + 3)2 + (y – 6)2 = 25

y + 6 = 5 – (x – 3)2

(x – 3)2 – (y + 6)2 = 25

(x – 3)2 + (y + 6)2 = 25

Correct answer:

(x + 3)2 + (y – 6)2 = 25

Explanation:

We are trying to find an equation for all of the points that are the same distance (5 units) from
(–3, 6). The locus of all points equidistant from a single point is a circle. In other words, we
need to find an equation of a circle. The center of the circle will be (–3, 6), and the radius,
which is the distance from (–3,6), will be 5. 

The standard form of a circle is given below:

(x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2, where the center is located at (h, k) and r is the length of the radius.

In this case, h will be –3, k will be 6, and r will be 5.

(x – (–3))2 + (y – 6)2 = 52

(x + 3)2 + (y – 6)2 = 25

The answer is (x + 3)2 + (y – 6)2 = 25.

Report an Error

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