ANALYTICAL

GEOMETRY
 WHAT LEARNERS NEED TO KNOW?
Revise – Formulae and principles learned in Grade 10 and 11

1. Distance between two points (Length of line AB):

AB : AB 2 =( x B −x A )2 +( y B − y A )2 or

AB=√ x B−x A )2 +( y B− y A )2 with A( x A ; y A ) and B( x A ; y B )

2. Formula for any point M, the midpoint of a line segment AB:

M ( x M ; y M )=M ( xB + x A yB + y A
2
;
2 )
with A( x A ; y A ) and B( x B ; y B )

3. The gradient of line AB:

y B− y A
m AB =
x B −x A with A( x A ; y A ) and B( x B ; y B )

3.1 The angle which a line makes with a positive x-axis (Inclination of a line)
If θ is the angle of inclination of line PR then: tan θ = gradientPR

Note: If tanθ > 0, then θ is an acute angle

If tanθ < 0, then θ is an obtuse angle

N.B. Inclination cannot be a negative angle
3.2 Parallel lines:
Non-vertical lines with gradients m1 and m2 are parallel if their gradients are equal.
m
(m1=m2) OR if m AB = CD , THEN AB//CD
3.3 Perpendicular lines:
Non-vertical lines with gradients m1 and m2 respectively are perpendicular if m1.m2=-
1 OR m AB .
mCD = -1 then AB⊥CD

3.4 Collinear points:

If A, B and C are collinear then

gradient AB =gradient BC=gradient AC

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3.5 Equation of a straight line

(a) y=mx+c (Gradient –intercept form)

m is the gradient and c is the y-intercept

(b) y− y 1=m( x−x 1 ) straight line with gradient m going through the point
( x1 ; y1)

(c) Ax + By=C (General form) No indication of intercepts as well as the

gradient
x y
+ =1
(c) a b (Intercept form) a and b are the x-intercept and y-
intercept respectively
(d) Vertical line: x = number gradient is undefined

(e) Horizontal line: y = number gradient is zero

3.6 Points of intersection of straight lines:

To determine the points of intersection of two straight lines, we have to solve the two
equations of the lines simultaneously.

Hint: (a) Write the equations of both lines y=mx+c .

(b) Let the y-values equal one another.

(c) Determine the x-value of the point of intersection.

(d) Calculate the corresponding y-value by means of substitution.

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 4. REVISE – PROPERTIES OF QUADRILATERALS

The following is a summary of all the properties of the different types of quadrilaterals.

Quadrilateral Definition Properties

Parallelogram A parallelogram is a  Two pairs of opposite
quadrilateral with both pairs sides equal and parallel
A B of opposite sides parallel.  Opposite angles equal
E  Diagonals bisect

D
C
Rectangle A rectangle is a parallelogram  All the properties of a
with all interior angles equal parallelogram AND
A B to 900  Diagonal are equal in
E length
 Interior angles are right
angles
D C

Rhombus A rhombus is a parallelogram  All the properties of a

A
with equal sides parallelogram AND
B
 Diagonals bisect at right
E angles
 Diagonals bisect the
D C
opposite angles
 All sides are equal in
length
Square A square is a rectangle with  All the properties of a
B
equal sides rectangle AND
A= 450 450
450 450
 All sides equal in length
E  Diagonals bisect each
other at right angles
450
450  Diagonals bisect interior
D= 450 450
C= angles (each bisected
angle equal 450)
Trapezium A trapezium is a quadrilateral  One pair of sides
A B with one pair of opposite sides parallel
parallel.

C D

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 Kite A kite is a quadrilateral with  Adjacent pairs of sided
two adjacent sides equal in are equal in length
A
length  The longer diagonal
bisects the opposite
angles.
D B  The longer diagonal
bisects the other
diagonal
 The diagonals intersect
at right angles

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5. CIRCLES

A circle is a set of points which are equidistant from a fixed point, the centre of the circle. The
distance from the centre to any point on the circle is the length of the radius while the distance
around the whole circle is the circumference or the perimeter of the circle.

5.1 Circle with centre the origin

Suppose P( x ; y ) is always r units from the origin, (0; 0). y

(This implies P( x ; y ) lies anywhere on the circle) P(x;y)

r
From the distance formula we know that: x
O
OP 2 =( x−0 )+( y−0 )2
∴ OP 2 =x 2 + y 2
2 2
But OP=r , ∴ OP =r

∴ x2 + y 2 =r 2

2
∴ The equation of a circle with centre the origin is: x + y 2 =r 2

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5.2 Circles not centered at the origin

Let P( x ; y ) be any point on the circle with centre M (a ;b ) and radius r.

From the distance formula we know that: P(x;y) y

r
MP 2 =(x−a )2 +( y −b )2
x
2 2
But MP=r , ∴ MP =r M (a;b)

∴ ( x−a )2 +( y−b )2 =r 2

∴ The equation of a circle with centre (a ;b ) is: ( x−a )2 +( y−b )2 =r 2

5.3 A tangent to a circle

How do we show that a line is a tangent to a circle?

N.B. Tangent: is a straight line which touches a graph (in this case a circle) at one point only. So
therefore, we will have to show that the two graphs interact at one point only.
Secant: Is a straight line which cuts a circle at two district points.

The equation of a tangent to a circle

2 2 2
The standard form of the equation of a circle is ( x−a ) +( y−b ) =r

So therefore, we have to find the centre and the radius of the circle first to determine the
equation.

Finding the equation of the tangent to the circle of the form:

x 2 +dx + y 2 +ey + f =0 at ( p ;q )

Hint: (a) Find the centre of the circle by completing the square.

(b) Find the gradient of the radius through the centre (a; b) and the point ( p ;q ) where the

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 tangent touches the circle.
(c) Substitute the point that lies on the tangent, and the gradient of the tangent, into the
standard form of a straight line: y− y 1=m( x−x 1 )
N.B. When the equation or just the gradient of the tangent / radius is known, you can
determine the gradient of the other.
Practice Exercise 1 (Analytical Geometry 1) Grade 11 WORK

1. Determine the equation of a straight line which passes through each of the
following points, and is perpendicular to the line joining that point to the origin:

1.1 (1 ; 2) 1.2 (−2 ; 3) 1.3 (0 ; 3) 1.4 (−4 ; 0)

2. A(−3 ; 1) and B(3 ; −2) and C(7 ; 6) are 3 points in the Cartesian plane.

2.1 Prove that Δ ABC is a right angle triangle.

2.2 Determine the equation of AC.
2.3 P is a point on AC such that BP ⊥ AC . Determine the equation of BP and hence
determine the coordinates of P.
2.4 Calculate the area of Δ ABC without the use of a calculator.
3. Calculate the value of x in each case if A, B, C and D are the points
A(−2 ; 3 ), B(1 ; 4), C(−4 ; 1) and D( x ; 4 ) and

3.1 AB // CD 3.2 AB⊥CD 3.3 AB = CD

4. Prove that A(0 ; 1), B(1 ; 2) and C( 4 ; 5) lie on the same straight line.

5. A(2 ; 8), C( 4 ; 5), B(8 ; −1) are given points.

5.1 Prove That A, B and C are collinear.
5.2 Determine the equation of AB.
5.3 Determine the equation of the line parallel to AB and through the point (−4 ; 6) .
5.4 Calculate the angle between AB and the positive x-axis. (correct to one decimal place)

6. The following are points in a Cartesian plane:

Determine the value(s) of k if:

6.1 is the midpoint of AC.

6.2 AB is parallel to CD.

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 6.3 AB is perpendicular to CD.

6.4 A, B and C are collinear.

PRACTICE EXERCISE 2 (ANALYTICAL GEOMETRY 2) GRADE 11 WORK

1. Refer to the figure below. A (-1;1), B(4;3) and C(7; -5) are points in the Cartesian plane.

B(4 ; 3)

A(−1 ; 1)
x

C (7 ; −5 )

1.1 Calculate the coordinates of F the midpoint of AC.

1.2 Determine the equation of the median BF of Δ ABC .
1.3 Calculate the size of the angle that BF makes with the positive x-axis.(correct to
one decimal place)
^
1.4 If G is the point(6 ; y ) , calculate the value of y if A BG=90 ° .
1.5 Calculate the coordinates of D if ABCD is a parallelogram.
1.6 Calculate AB correct to two decimal places.
1.7 Determine the equation of the perpendicular bisector of AB.

2. Given the straight line x +2 y−12=0 , calculate the following :

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 2.1 The gradient of the given line.
2.2 The intercepts with the axes.
2.3 The value of p if ( p ; 2 ) lies on the given line.
2.4 The equation of the line perpendicular to the given line and passing through (−3 ; 4 ) .
2.5 The size of the angle that x +2 y−12=0 makes with the positive x-axis. (correct to
one decimal place)
2.6 The area of the triangle formed by the x, y axis and the line x +2 y−12=0 .
PRACTICE EXERCISE 3 (Analytical Geometry) Grade 12 (CIRCLE)

1. Determine the co-ordinates of the centre and the length of the radius of each of the following
circles
2 2 2 2
(a) ( x−4 ) +( y +3 ) =25 (b) x +( y−2) =10
2 2 2 2
(c) x +2 x+ y =0 (d) x −8 x+ y +6 y=2
2 2 2 2
(e) x −5 x + y +6 y=9 (f) x +x + y −4 y−4=0
2 2 2 2
(g) x + y +10 x −3 y+1=0 (h) x + y −2 x− y−12=0
2 2
(i) 2 x +2 y −6 x −12 y =3
2. Determine the equation of the circle in each case:
(a) With centre (-2; -1) and radius 4
(b) With centre (3; -3) and radius 3 √ 5
(c) With centre M (−3;1) and A(2;−2) a point on the circle
(d) With centre (1; -1) and (-3;4) s point on the circle

3. The equation of a circle with radius 3 √ 2 units is x −6 x+ y +2 y−m=0

2 2

(a) Determine the co-ordinates of the centre of the circle

(b) Find the value of m

4. Determine the equation of the tangent which touches the circle:

2 2
(a) x + y =13 at the point (3; -2)
2 2
(b) ( x−2 ) +( y +3 ) =17 at the point (1; 1)
2 2
(c) ( x+4 ) +( y−1 ) = 20 at the point (-2; -3)
2 2
(d) x −2 x + y +4 y −5=0 at the point (-2; -1)
2 2
(e) x +6 x + y +12 y=13 at the point (-6; 1)

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 2 2
5. Find the equations of the tangents to ( x−2 ) +( y +3 ) =16 which are:
(a) Parallel to the y-axis
(b) Parallel to the x-axis

Practice Exercise 4 (Analytical Geometry) Grade 12 (CIRCLE)

1. A(3 ; −5) and B(1 ; 3) are two points in a Cartesian plane.

1.1 Calculate the length of AB and leave the answer in simplified surd form if necessary.
1.2 Determine the equation of the circle with AB as diameter in the form:

( x−a )2 +( y−b )2 =r 2

1.3 Determine the equation of the tangent to the circle at A in the form y=mx+c .
2
2. Two straight lines AP and BP are tangents to the circle ( x−2 ) +( y −1)2 =k
at A(−1 ; 5) and B(6 ; 4 ) .Calculate the coordinates of P, the point of intersection
of AP and BP.

3. Determine the coordinates of the points P and Q which lie both equidistant from the point
(0 ; 1) and the line y=−1 and equidistant from the origin and the point(−3 ; 3) .

2 2
4. A circle is defined by the equation: x + y −4 x+2 y =0 .
4.1 Determine the coordinates of the centre C and the radius of the circle.
4.2 Find the coordinates of the points where the circle cuts the y-axis.
4.3 Find the equation of the tangent to the circle at the point A(0 ; −2 )

5. The length of the tangent from the point A(10; 2) to the point of contact P of a
circle with centre M (−2 ; 1) , is equal to 3 √ 5 units.
2 2 2
Determine the equation of the circle in the form( x−a ) +( y−b ) =r .
6. In the figure, the circle passes
through the points
y
A(−1 ; 1) and C(3 ; −3) .
3y  x  2
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A(1 ; 1)
The center of the circle
lies on the straight line
3 y−x=2 .
Determine the equation
of the circle

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