Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy.

, India Mathematics Concepts and Formulae

Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy., India

A.P, TELANGANA, KARNATAKA, TAMILNADU, MAHARASHTRA, DELHI, RANCHI
A right Choice for the Real Aspirant
ICON Central Office – Madhapur – Hyderabad
Read, Revise & Retain (R R R – Concept)
Mathematics Concepts and Formulae
Circles
Circle
Circle is defined as the locus of a point which moves in a plane such that its distance from a
fixed point in that plane is constant.

The fixed point is called the centre and the constant distance is called the radius
Standard Equation of a Circle
2 2
Equation of circle having centre  h, k  and radius a is  x  h    y  k   a 2 . This is also
known as standard form of circle where (h, k) is the centre and 'a' is radius.

Some Particular Cases of the Central Form

(i) When centre is  0,0  , then equation of circle is x 2  y 2  a 2

(ii) The equation of circle passes through origin is, x 2  y 2  2hx  2ky  0 .

(iii) If the circle touches the X  axis , then its equation is x 2  y 2  2hx  2ky  h 2  0
2 2
i.e:  x  h    y  k   k 2

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy., India Mathematics Concepts and Formulae

(iv) Equation of the circle, touches the Y  axis is x 2  y 2  2hx  2ky  k 2  0

2 2
i.e:  x  h    y  k   h 2

(v) Equation of the circle, touching both axes is x 2  y 2  2 ax  2ay  a 2  0

(vi) Equation of the circle passing through the origin and centre lying on the X  axis is
x 2  y 2  2ax  0

(vii) Equation of the circle passing through the origin and centre lying on the Y  axis is
x 2  y 2  2ay  0

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy., India Mathematics Concepts and Formulae

(viii) Equation of the circle through the origin and cutting intercepts a and b on the
coordinate axes is x 2  y 2  ax  by  0

Equation of Circle When Ends Points of Diameter are Given

Equation of the circle, when the coordinates of end points of a diameter are
 x1, y1  and  x2 , y2  is  x  x1  x  x2    y  y1  y  y2   0
Equation of Circle Passing Through Three Points
Equation of the circle passes through three non-collinear points
x2  y 2 x y 1
x12  y12 x1 y1 1
 x1, y1  ,  x2 , y2  and  x3 , y3  is 0
x22  y22 x2 y2 1

x32  y32 x3 y3 1
Parametric Equation of a Circle
2 2
The parametric equation of  x  h    y  k   a 2 is
x  h  a cos , y  k  a sin  ,0    2 for circle x 2  y 2  a 2 , parametric equation is
x  a cos , y  a sin 

General Equation of a Circle

The general equation of a circle is given by x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 , whose centre

   g ,  f  and radius  g 2  f 2  c

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy., India Mathematics Concepts and Formulae
2 2
(i) If g  f  c  0 , then the radius of the circle is real and hence the circle is also real.
(ii) If g 2  f 2  c  0 , then the radius of the circle is 0 and the circle is known as point
circle.
(iii) If g 2  f 2  c  0 , then the radius of the circle is imaginary. Such a circle is imaginary,
which is not possible to draw.
Position of a Point w.r.t. a Circle
A Point  x1 , y1  lies outside, on, or inside a circle s  x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 ,
according as S1 ,  or  0 where S1  x12  y12  2 gx1  2 fy1  c
Intercepts on the Axes
The length of the intercepts made by the circle x 2  y 2  2 gx  fy  c  0 with
X and Y  axes are 2 g 2  c and 2 f 2  c respectively.
(i) If g 2  c , then the roots of the equation x 2  2 gx  c  0 are real and distinct, so the
circle x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 meets the X  axis in two real and distance points.
(ii) If g 2  c , then the roots of the equation x 2  2 gx  c  0 are real and equal, so the circle
touches X  axis , then intercept on X  axis is 0
(iii) If g 2  c , then the roots of the equation x 2  gx  c  0 are imaginary, so the given
circle does not meet X  axis in real point similarly, the circle
x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 cuts the Y  axis in real and distinct point touches or does
not meet in real point according to f 2  C  0, f 2  C  0, f 2  C  0

Equation of Tangent
A line which touch only one point of a circle.
1. Point Form
(i) The equation of the tangent at the point P  x1, y1  to a circle
x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 is xx1  yy1  g  x  x1   f  y  y1   c  0
(ii) The equation of the tangent at the point P  x1, y1  to a circle
x 2  y 2  r 2 is xx1  yy1  r 2
2. Slope Form
(i) The equation of the tangent of slope m to the circle x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 are

y  f  m x  g    g 2  f 2  c 1  m2 

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy., India Mathematics Concepts and Formulae
2 2
(ii) The equation of the tangents of slope m to the circle  x  a    y  b   r 2 are
y  b  m  x  a   r 1  m 2 and the coordinates of the points of contact are
 mr r 
a  ,b  .
 
 1  m2 1  m2 
(iii) The equation of tangents of slope m to the circle x 2  y 2  r 2 are y  mx  r 1  m2
and the coordinates of the point of contact are
 rm r 
 , .
 2 2 
 1 m 1 m 

3. Parametric Form
2 2
The equation of the tangents to the circle  x  a    y  b   r 2 at the point
 a  r cos  , b  r sin   is  x  a  cos   y  b  sin   r

Equation of Normal
A line which is perpendicular to the tangents is known as a normal
1. Point Form
(i) The equation of normal at the point  x1 , y1  to the circle x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 is
y1 f
y  y1   x  x1  Or  y1  f  x   x1  g  y   gy1  fx1   0
x1  g
x y
(ii) The equation of normal at the point  x1 , y1  to the circle x 2  y 2  r 2 is  .
x1 y1
2. Slope Form

The equation of a normal of slope m to the circle x 2  y 2  r 2 is my   x  r 1  m 2

3. Parametric Form
The equation of normal to the circle x 2  y 2  r 2 at the point  r cos , r sin   is
x y
 or y  x tan 
r cos r sin 
(i) If  x1 , y1  is one end of diameter of the circle x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 , then
the other end will be  2 g  x1 , 2 f  y1 
(ii) If a line is perpendicular to the radius of a circle at its end points on the circle, then the
line is a tangent to the circle and vice-versa.
(iii) Normal at any point on the circle is a straight line which is perpendicular to the tangent
to the curve at the point and it passes through the centre of circle.

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy., India Mathematics Concepts and Formulae

(iv) The line y  mx  c meets the circle in unique real point or touch the circle x 2  y 2  r 2
c   mr r 
if r  and the point of contacts are  
 2 
1  m2  1 m
2
1 m 


(v) The line lx  my  n  0 touches the circle x 2  y 2  r 2 , if r 2 l 2  m 2  n 2 . 
(vi) Tangent at the point P  r cos , r sin   to the circle x 2  y 2  r 2 is x cos  y sin   r .
(vii) The point of intersection of the tangent at the point P 1  and Q  2  on the circle
   2     2 
r cos  1  r sin  1
2 2 2  2   2 
x  y  r is given by. x  and y 
 1  2   1  2 
cos   cos  2 
 2   
(viii) A line intersect a given circle at two distinct real point, if the length of the
perpendicular from the centre is less than the radius of the circle.
(ix) Length of the intercept cut off from the line y  mx  c by the circle x 2  y 2  a 2 is

2

a 2 1  m2  c2
1  m2
(x) If P is a point and C is the centre of a circle of radius r , then maximum and minimum
distance of P from the circle are CP  r and CP  r respectively.
(xi) Power of a point  x1 , y1  with respect to the circle x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 is
x12  y12  2 gx1  2 fy1  c

Pair of Tangents
(i) The combined equation of the pair of tangents drawn from a point P  x1, y1  to the
x 2  y 2  r 2 is

2
 x2  y2  r 2   
x12  y12  r 2  xx1  yy1  r 2 
Or SS1  T 2
Where, S  x 2  y 2  r 2 , S1  x12  y12  r 2
And T  xx1  yy1  r 2

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(ii) The length of the tangents from the point P  x1, y1  to the circle

x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 is equal to x12  y12  2 gx1  2 fy1  c  S11

(iii) Chord of contact QR of two tangents, drawn from P  x1, y1  to the circle x 2  y 2  r 2
is xx1  yy1  r 2 or T  0 similarly for the circle. x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 is
xx1  yy1  g  x  x1   f  y  y1   c  0
(iv) Let AB is a chord of contact of tangents from C to the circle x 2  y 2  r 2 . M is the
mid-point of AB

 r2 x r 2 y1 
(a) Coordinates of M  1 , 
 x2  y 2 x2  y 2 
 1 1 1 1 

x12  y12  r 2
(b) AB  2r
x12  y12

(c) BC  x12  y12  r 2

(d) Area of quadrilateral OABC  r x12  y12  r 2

r 3/2
(e) Area of ABC  2
x1  y12
x12  y12  r 2  
r3
(f) Area of OAB  x12  y12  r 2
x12  y12
r
(g) Angle between two tangents ACB is 2 tan 1
S11
(v) In general, two tangent can be drawn to a circle from a given point in its plane. If
m1 and m2 are slope of the tangents drawn from the point P  x1, y1  to the circle

2 2 2 2x1 y1 y12  a 2
x  y  a , then m1  m2  and m1  m2 
x12  a 2 x12  a 2
(vi) The pair of tangents from  0,0  to the circle x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 are at right
angle, if g 2  f 2  2c .
Equation of chord Bisected at a Given Point

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2 2
The equation of chord of the circle S  x  y  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 bisected at the point
 x1, y1  is given by T  S1 .
i.e. xx1  yy1  g  x  x1   f  y  y1   c  x12  y12  2 gx1  2 fy1  c
Director Circle
The locus of the point of intersection of two perpendicular tangents to a given circle is
called a director circle. For circle x 2  y 2  r 2 , the equation of director circle is
x 2  y 2  2r 2
Pole and Polar
If through a point P  x1, y1  (within or outside a circle) there be drawn any straight line
to meet the given circle at Q and R , the locus of the point of intersection of tangents at
Q and R is called the polar of P and point P is called the pole of polar.

(i) Equation of polar to the circle x 2  y 2  r 2 is xx1  yy1  r 2

(ii) Equation of polar to the circle x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 is
xx1  yy1  g  x  x1   f  y  y1   c  0
(iii) Conjugate Point Two points A and B are conjugate points with respect to a given
circle, if each lies on the polar of the other with respect to the circle.
(iv) Conjugate Lines If two lines be such that the pole of one lies on the other, then they are
called conjugate lines with respect to the given circle.
Common Tangents of Two Circles
Let the centres and radii of two circles are c1 , c2 and r1 , r2 , respectively. Then, the
following cases of intersection of these two circles may arise.
i. When two circles are separate, four common tangents are possible
Condition C1C2  r1  r2

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C1D r1
Clearly  externally 
C2 D r2
C1T r1
And   Internallu 
C2T r2
Length of direct common tangent
2 2
AB  A ' B '   C1C2    r1  r2 
Length of transverse common tangent
2 2
PQ  P ' Q '   C1C2    r1  r2 
ii. When two circles touch externally, three common tangents are possible
Condition C1C2  r1  r2

C1D r1
Clearly  externally 
C2 D r2
C1T r1
And  int ernally 
C2T r2
iii. When two circles intersect, two common tangents are possible. Condition,
r1  r2  C1C2   r1  r2 

iv. When two circles touch internally, one common tangent is possible. Condition,
C1C2  r1  r2

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy., India Mathematics Concepts and Formulae
v. When one circle contains another circle, no common tangent is possible. Condition,
C1C2  r1  r2

Angle of Intersection of Two Circles

The angle of intersection of two circles is defined as the angle between the tangents to
the two circles at their point of intersection is given by

cos 

d 2  r12  r22 
2r1r2
Orthogonal Circles
Two circles are said to be intersect orthogonally, if their angle of intersection is a right
angle. If two circles S1  x 2  y 2  2 g1 x  2 f1 y  c1  0 and
S 2  x 2  y 2  2 g 2 x  2 f 2 y  c2  0 are orthogonal, then 2  g1g2  f1 f 2   c1  c2
Common Chord
The chord joining the points of intersection of two given intersecting circles is called
common chord.

i. If S1  0 and S 2  0 be two intersecting circles, such that

S1  x 2  y 2  2 g1 x  2 f1 y  c1  0 and S 2  x 2  y 2  2 g 2 x  2 f 2 y  c2  0
then their common chord is given by S1  S2  0
ii. If C1, C2 denote the centre of the given intersecting circles, then their common chord

PQ  2 PM  2  C1P 2   C1M 2
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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy., India Mathematics Concepts and Formulae
iii. If r1 and r2 be the radii of two orthogonally intersecting circles, then length of common
2r1r2
chord is
r12  r22
Family of Circles
(i) The equation of a family of circles passing through the intersection of a circle
S  x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 and line L  lx  my  n  0 is S   L  0
where,  is any real number.
(ii) The equation of the family of circles passing through the point A  x1 , y1  and B  x2 , y2 
x y 1
is  x  x1  x  x2    y  y1  y  y2    x1 y1 1  0
y2 y2 1
(iii) The equation of the family of circles touching the circle S  x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0
at point P  x1, y1  is
x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c    xx1  yy1  g  x  x1   f  y  y1   c   0
Or S   L  0 , where L  0 is the equation of the tangent to S  0 at  x1 , y1  and   R
(iv) Any circle passing through the point of intersection of two circles S1 and S 2 is
S1   S2  0  where   1 .
Radical Axis
The radical axis of two circles is the locus of a point which moves in such a way that the
length of the tangents drawn from it to the two circles are equal. A system of circles in
which every pair has the same radical axis is called a coaxial system of circles. The
equation of radical axis of two circles S1  0 and S 2  0 is given by S1  S2  0

(i) The radical axis of two circles is always perpendicular to the line joining the centres of the
circles.
(ii) The radical axes of three circles, whose centres are non-collinear taken in pairs are
concurrent.
(iii) The centre of the circle cutting two given circles orthogonally, lies on their radical axis.
(iv) Radical Centre The point of intersection of radical axis of three circles whose centre are
non-collinear, taken in pairs, is called their radical centre.

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Coaxial System of Circles
A system of circle is said to be coaxial system of circles, if every pair of the circles in
the system has same radical axis.
(i) The equation of a system of coaxial circles, when the equation of the radical axis
P  lx  my  n  0 and one of the circle of the system S  x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0
where  is an arbitrary constant.
(ii) Since, the lines joining the centres of two circles is perpendicular to their radical axis.
Therefore, the centres of all circles of a coaxial system lie on a straight line, which is
perpendicular to the common radical axis.

Limiting Points
Limiting points of a system of coaxial circles are the centres of the point circles
belonging to the family.
Let equation of circle be x 2  y 2  2 gx  c  0
 Radius of circle = g2  c
For limiting point, r  0
 g2  c  0  g   c
Thus, limiting points of the given coaxial system as   
c ,0 and  c ,0 
2 2
 a 2l a 2 m 
2
I. pole of lx  my  n  0 with respect to x  y  a is   , 
 n n 
 
S S
II. let S1  0, S 2  0 be two circle with radii r1 , r2 , then 1  2  0 will meet at right angle.
r1 r2
III. family of circle touching a line L  0 at a point  x1 , y1  on it is

 x  x1 2   y  y1 2   L  0
IV. Circumcircle of  with vertices  x1 , y1  ,  x2 , y2  ,  x3 , y3  is
x y 1
x1 y1 1
 x  x1  x  x2    y  y1  y  y2   x2 y2 1
 x3  x1  x3  x2    y3  y1  y3  y1  x3 y3 1
x1 y1 1
x2 y2 1

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Image of the Circle by the Line Minor
Let the circle be x 2  y 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0

and line minor is lx  my  n  0

2 2
Then, the image of the circle is  x  x1    y  y1   r 2
Where,  x1 , y1  is mirror image of centre   g ,  f  with respect to mirror line

lx  my  n  0 and r  g 2  f 2  c
Diameter of a Circle
The locus of the middle point of a system of parallel chords of a circle is called a
diameter of the circle.
(1) The equation of the diameter bisecting parallel chord y  mx  c of the circle
x 2  y 2  a 2 is x  my  0
(2) The diameter corresponding to a system of parallel chords of a circle always passes
through the centre of the circle and is perpendicular to the parallel chords.

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