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CIE A Level Maths: Pure 1 Your notes
2.2 Circles
Contents
2.2.1 Equation of a Circle
2.2.2 Finding the Centre & Radius
2.2.3 Bisection of Chords
2.2.4 Angle in a Semicircle
2.2.5 Radius & Tangent
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2.2.1 Equation of a Circle

Your notes
Equation of a Circle
What do I need to know about the equation of a circle?
A circle with centre (a, b) and radius r has the equation
(x − a )2 + (y − b )2 = r2
You need to be able to find the centre and radius of a circle from its equation
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You need to be able to find the equation of a circle given its centre and radius
Your notes
Examiner Tip
Remember that the numbers in the brackets have the opposite signs to the coordinates of the
centre.
Don't forget to take the square root of the right-hand side of the equation when finding the radius.
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Worked example
Your notes
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2.2.2 Finding the Centre & Radius

Your notes
Finding the Centre & Radius
How can I find the centre and radius from any form of the equation of a circle?
A circle equation in a different form can always be rearranged into (x- a)2 + (y - b)2 = r2 form in order to
find the centre and radius
This will often involve completing the square
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Examiner Tip
Your notes
Make sure you are able to rearrange circle equations given in the general form
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Worked example
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2.2.3 Bisection of Chords

Your notes
Bisection of Chords
How can I find the equation of a perpendicular bisector?
The perpendicular bisector of a line segment:
is perpendicular to the line segment
goes through the midpoint of the line segment
The midpoint and gradient of the line segment between points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are given by the
formulae
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Your notes
The gradient of the perpendicular bisector is therefore
The equation of the perpendicular bisector is the equation of the line with that gradient through the line
segment's midpoint (see Equation of a Straight Line)
How can I use perpendicular bisectors to find the equation of a circle?
A chord of a circle is a straight line segment between any two points on the circle
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The perpendicular bisector of a chord always goes through the centre of the circle
Your notes
If you know three points on a circle, draw any two chords between them – the perpendicular bisectors
of the chords will meet at the centre of the circle
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Your notes
Now that you know the centre of the circle and a point on the circle you can write the equation of the
circle
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Examiner Tip
Your notes
To find the point of intersection of two straight lines, set the equations of the lines equal to each
other and solve.
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Worked example
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2.2.4 Angle in a Semicircle

Your notes
Angle in a Semicircle
What is the angle in a semicircle property?
It is always possible to draw a unique circle through the three vertices of a triangle – this is called the
circumcircle of the triangle
The angle in a semicircle property says that If a triangle is right-angled, then its hypotenuse is a
diameter of its circumcircle
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Your notes
It also says that any angle at the circumference in a semicircle is a right angle
How can I use the angle in a semicircle property to find the equation of a circle?
Because the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle is a diameter of the triangle's circumcircle you also
know that:
1. the radius of the circumcircle is half the length of the hypotenuse
2. the centre of the circumcircle is the midpoint of the hypotenuse
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Your notes
Once you know the radius and the centre you can write down the equation of the circle
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Examiner Tip
Your notes
To show that a triangle is right-angled, show that the lengths of its sides satisfy Pythagoras'
theorem.
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Worked example
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2.2.5 Radius & Tangent

Your notes
Radius & Tangent
What is the relationship between tangents and radii?
A tangent is a line that touches a circle at a single point but doesn't cut across the circle
A tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius of the circle at the point of intersection
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Your notes
How can I find the equation of the tangent line to a circle at a given point?
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STEP 1: Find the gradient of the radius OP
Your notes
STEP 2: Find the gradient of the tangent
STEP 3: The equation of the tangent is the equation of the line with that gradient that goes through
point P (see Equation of a Straight Line)
Examiner Tip
If you understand the formula in Step 2 above, you can find the gradient of the tangent without
having to find the gradient of the radius first.
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Worked example
Your notes
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CIE A Level Maths: Pure 1 Your notes

2.2.1 Equation of a Circle

2.2.2 Finding the Centre & Radius

2.2.3 Bisection of Chords

The gradient of the perpendicular bisector is therefore

2.2.4 Angle in a Semicircle

2.2.5 Radius & Tangent

STEP 1: Find the gradient of the radius OP

STEP 2: Find the gradient of the tangent

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