NOTE

M A T H E M A T I C S

CIRCLES
INTRODUCTION TO CIRCLE

What you already know What you will learn

• Finding the locus • Definition of a circle

• Equations of a circle
• Circle passing through three given points
• Particular cases of a circle

Circle

r
A circle is defined as the locus of a point that moves in a plane
o
such that its distance from a fixed point in that plane is always
constant. The fixed point is known as the centre and the constant
distance is known as the radius of the circle.
radius centre

Equations of A Circle

Centre-radius form/Cartesian form

P(x, y)
r
The equation of a circle whose centre is (h, k) and radius r is
(x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2 C(h, k)

Proof

Let C (h, k) be the centre of the circle, r be the radius of the circle, and P(x, y) be any point on its
circumference.
Then, CP = r
⇒ CP2 = r2
⇒ (x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2 (Using the distance between two points’ formula)

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Note
Y

1. By the equation of a circle, we mean the equation of r

circumference of the circle.
O X
2. When the centre of the circle coincides with the origin, i.e.,
h = 0 and k = 0, the equation becomes x2 + y2 = r2

Find the equation of the circle whose centre is (2, -3) and radius is 8.

Solution

Step 1
Equation of a circle whose centre is (h, k) and radius is r is
(x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2
Here, (h, k) = (2, -3) and r = 8 8

Step 2 C(2, -3)

⇒ (x - 2)2 + (y - (-3))2 = 82
⇒ (x - 2)2 + (y + 3)2 = 64
⇒ x2 + y2 - 4x + 6y = 51
Therefore, the equation of the required circle is
x2 + y2 - 4x + 6y = 51

Diametric form

The equation of a circle whose end-points of a diameter are Y

(x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is
P(h, k) B(x2, y2)
(x - x1)(x - x2) + (y - y1)(y - y2) = 0
Proof

Let A, B be extremities of the diameter AB having the C

coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) respectively. Let P(h, k) be
locus of any point on the circle. Join AP and BP. A(x1, y1)
 k - y1 
Slope of AP =  
 h - x1 
X
 k - y2 
Slope of BP =  
 h - x2 

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In △PAB, AP ⟂ BP, (Angle subtended by the diameter AB at point P is 90°)

⇒ Slope of AP x Slope of BP = -1
 k - y1   k - y2 
⇒ ×  = -1
 h - x1   h - x 2 
⇒ (h - x1)(h - x2) + (k - y1)(k - y2) = 0
Replacing h by x and k by y, we get:
(x - x1)(x - x2) + (y - y1)(y - y2) = 0
Hence, locus of (h, k) is (x - x1)(x - x2) + (y - y1)(y - y2) = 0

What is the equation of a circle that is passing through A(1, 0) and B(0, 1) and having
the minimum possible radius?
(a) x2 + y2 + x + y = 0 (b) x2 + y2 + x - y = 0
(c) x + y - x + y = 0
2 2
(d) x2 + y2 - x - y = 0

Solution
Step 1 Step 2
Given, A(1, 0) and B(0, 1). Equation of circle is
Radius will be the minimum when A, B (x - x1)(x - x2) + (y - y1)(y - y2) = 0
become the end-points of the diameter. ⇒ (x - 1)(x - 0) + (y - 0)(y - 1) = 0
⇒ x2 + y2 - x - y = 0
Option d is the correct answer.

Concept Check 1

x   y 
If the straight line   +   = 1 intersects the coordinate axes at A, B respectively, then what is
a  b
the equation of the circle passing through origin, A and B?
(a) x2 + y2 - ax - by = 0 (b) x2 + y2 + ax + by = 0
(c) x2 + y2 + bx - ay = 0 (d) x2 + y2 - bx - ay = 0

General equation of a circle

The general equation of a second degree curve

ax2 + by2 + 2hxy + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 will represent a circle iff
r
1. Δ = abc + 2fgh - af2 - bg2 - ch2 ≠ 0
2. Coefficient of x2 = Coefficient of y2 C(-g, -f)
3. There is no term containing xy, i.e., coefficient of xy = 0
4. It is a quadratic in both x and y.
The equation x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy +c = 0 represents a circle with
centre (-g, -f) and radius (g 2
+ f 2 -c )
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Proof
Consider, x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy +c = 0
⇒ (x2 + 2gx + g2)+(y2 + 2fy + f2) = g2 + f2 - c
⇒ (x + g)2 + (y + f)2 = g2+ f2 - c
Comparing with (x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2
Centre = (-g, -f), and radius = (g 2
+ f 2 -c )
 - coefficient of x - coefficient of y 
i.e, Centre =  , 
 2 2 

Note

1. If g2 + f2 - c > 0, then it is a real circle.

2. If g2 + f2 - c = 0, then radius is zero and the circle is known as a point circle.
3. If g2 + f2 - c < 0, then the radius is imaginary, and the circle is known as an imaginary circle with
a real centre.

What is the equation of the circle described on the line segment joining the centres of
the circles x2 + y2 - 4x + 6y - 12 = 0 and x2 + y2 - 6x - 4y - 12 = 0 as a diameter?
(a) x2 + y2 - 5x + y = 0 (b) x2 + y2 + x - 2y = 0
(c) x2 + y2 + 2x - 5y = 0 (d) x2 + y2 + 5x - 2y = 0

Solution

Step 1

Let A be centre of the first circle and B be

centre of the second circle. C1 C2 B
A
On comparing with the given circle
equations, (2, -3) (3, 2)
A = (2, -3) and B = (3, 2) as centre = (-g, -f).

Step 2

The equation of the circle having AB as the diameter is

(x - x1)(x - x2) + (y - y1)(y - y2) = 0
⇒ (x - 2) (x - 3) + (y + 3) (y - 2) = 0
⇒ x2 + y2 - 5x + y = 0
Option a is the correct answer.

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Concept Check

2. W
 hat is the equation of the circle of radius 5 units that lies within the circle
x2 + y2 + 14x + 10y - 26 = 0 and touches it at the point (-1, 3)?
(a) (x + 4)2 + (y + 1)2 = 25 (b) (x - 4)2 + (y - 1)2 = 25
(c) (x + 4)2 + (y - 1)2 = 25 (d) (x - 4)2 + (y + 1)2 = 25

3. What is the image of the circle x2 + y2 + 16x - 24y + 183 = 0 in the line mirror 4x + 7y + 13 = 0?
(a) (x + 16)2 + (y + 2)2 = 5 (b) (x - 16)2 + (y - 2)2 = 5
(c) (x + 16)2 + (y - 2)2 = 5 (d) (x - 16)2 + (y + 2)2 = 5

Circle Passing Through Three Given Points

Let x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 be the required circle passing through three non-collinear points
(x1, y1), (x2, y2), (x3, y3),
Then,
x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c = 0
x22 + y22 + 2gx2 + 2fy2 + c = 0
x32 + y32 + 2gx3 + 2fy3 + c = 0
Thus, we have 3 equations and 3 unknowns (g, f, c). On solving them, the values of g, f, c can be
obtained.

Find the equation of the circle passing through A(1, 1), B(2, -1), and C(3, 2).

Solution

Step 1 Step 2
Given, A(1, 1), B(2, -1), On substituting the values of A, B, and C, we get,
C(3, 2). 2g + 2f + c = -2 …...I
Let 4g - 2f + c = -5 …....II
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 be the 6g+ 4f + c = -13 …...III
Equation II - Equation I: 2g - 4f = -3
required circle equation
Equation III - Equation II: 2g + 6f = -8
On solving: f = -1 , g = -5 , c = 4
2 2
Therefore, the required equation of the circle is
x2 + y2 - 5x - y + 4 = 0.

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Particular Cases of Circle

C(h, k)
Circle touches the x-axis
r
Let C (h, k) be the centre of the required X
Mr
circle.
Radius r = |k|, then the equation of the C'(h, -k)
circle is
(x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2
⇒ (x - h)2 + (y ± r)2 = r2 (∵ k = ± r) Y

Circle touches the y-axis

C'(-h, k) M C(h, k)
Let C (h, k) be the centre of the required circle. r r
Radius r = |h|, then the equation of the
circle is
(x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2
⇒ (x ± r)2 + (y - k)2 = r2 (∵ h = ± r) Y

C'(-h, k) C(h, k)
Circle touches both the axes
r r
r r

Let C (h, k) be the centre of the required r r X

circle. r r
Radius r = |h|= |k|, then the equation of the C''(-h, -k) C'''(h, -k)
circle is
(x ± r)2 + (y ± r)2 = r2 (∵ k = ± r and h = ± r)

Y
Circle passes through the origin and the centre
lies on the x-axis
r r
C'(-r, 0) C(r, 0) X
If r is the radius of the required circle, and
the centre of the circle is C (±r, 0).
Then the equation of the circle is
(x ± r)2 + y2 = r2
Y

Circle passes through the origin and the centre

lies on the y-axis C(0, r)
r
o
r X
If r is the radius of the required circle, and the
centre of the circle is C (0, ±r). Then the C' C'(0, -r)
equation of the circle is
x2 + (y ± r )2 = r2

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A circle of radius 5 units touches the axes in the first quadrant. If the circle makes one
complete roll on x-axis in the positive direction of x-axis, then what is the equation of
the circle in the new position?

Solution Y OLD
C1 C2
Step 1 Let C1 represent the circle in its
original position and let C2 represent the circle
5 5
after rolling.
Centre of C1 = (5, 5). (5, 5) (h, k)
Let the centre of C2 be (h, k)
Let the circle touch the x-axis at A in the original
A B X
position while it touches x-axis at B after rolling.

Step 2 After rolling, the circle has moved a distance equal to the circumference
and its radius is unchanged.
Circumference of C1 = 10 π units
⇒ h = 5 + 10 π, k = 5
The equation of the circle C2 is (x - (5 + 10π))2 + (y - 5)2 = 52

IIT JEE 2001

Concept Check 4

The circle passing through the point ( -1, 0) and touching the y-axis at ( 0, 2) also passes through
the point
 -3   -5   -3 5 
(a)  , 0  (b)  , 2  (c)  ,  (d) ( -4, 0 )
2  3   2 2

Summary sheet

Key Takeaways

• Centre-radius form/Cartesian form: The equation of a circle whose centre is (h, k) and radius
is r is (x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2
• Diametric form: The equation of a circle whose end-points of a diameter are
(x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is (x - x1)(x - x2) + (y - y1)(y - y2) = 0

• The equation x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 represents a circle with centre (-g, -f ) and radius

(g 2
+ f 2 -c )

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• Circle touches the x - axis: (x - h)2 + (y ± r)2 = r2

• Circle touches the y-axis: (x ± r)2 + (y - k)2 = r2
• Circle touches both the axes: (x ± r)2 + (y ± r)2 = r2
• Circle passes through the origin and the centre lies on the x-axis: (x ± r)2 + y2 = r2
• Circle passes through the origin and the centre lies on the y-axis: x2 + (y ± r)2 = r2

Key Results

• By the equation of a circle, we mean the equation of circumference of the circle.

• When the centre of the circle coincides with the origin, i.e., h = 0 and k = 0, the equation
becomes x2 + y2 = r2.
• If g2 + f2 - c > 0, then it is a real circle.
If g2 + f2 - c = 0, then radius is zero and the circle is known as a point circle.
If g2 + f2 - c < 0, then the radius is imaginary, and the circle is known as an imaginary circle
with a real centre.

Self-Assessment

1. Find the equation of the circle that passes through the points (1, -2) and (4, -3), and whose
centre lies on the line 3x + 4y = 7.
2. If the abscissa and ordinates of two points P and Q are the roots of the equation
x2 + 2ax - b2 = 0 and x2 + 2px - q2 = 0, respectively, then find the equation of the circle with PQ as
the diameter.

Mind map

Centre radius form/

Cartesian form

Circle passing
Definition Equations Diametric Particular
Locus through three
of circle of a circle form cases
given points

General equation

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Answers

Concept Check

1.
Y
Step 1
Required circle is the circumcircle of triangle OAB, which is a C
right angled triangle. Therefore, AB is the diameter of the B(0, b)
circle as AB subtends 90° at origin.
Step 2
Equation of circle is
(x - x1)(x - x2) + (y - y1)(y - y2) = 0 A(a, 0)
⇒ (x - a)(x - 0) + (y - 0)(y - b) = 0
O X
⇒ x2 + y2 - ax - by = 0
Option a is the correct answer.

2.
Step 1

Let the centre of the circle C1 be O = (-g, -f) = (-7,-5) C1

Radius of circle C1 = (g 2
)
+ f 2 - c = 10 units
Let A be (-1, 3)
P = Midpoint of OA = Centre of the required circle = (-4, -1) 5 P5
A(-1, 3)
O(-7, -5)
Step 2 10
Now the centre of circle C2 is (-4, -1) and the radius is 5 C2
Equation of circle C2 is
(x + 4)2 +(y + 1)2 = 25.
C1
Option a is the correct answer.
5
3.
(-8, 12)
Step 1
C2
Let C1: x2 + y2 + 16x - 24y + 183 = 0
Centre of the circle = (-g, -f) = (-8, 12) 5
Radius = (g
+ f -c = 52 2
)
Image of centre of C1 with respect to the mirror l: (h, k)
4x + 7y + 13 = 0 is the centre of circle C2 and radius
is same as that of C1
l: 4x + 7y + 13 = 0

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Step 2
Let (h, k) be the image of (-8, 12) w.r.t line l: 4x + 7y + 13 = 0
( x - x ) ( y - y ) −2( ax1 + by 1 + c )
⇒ 2 1 = 2 1 =
a a a2 + b2 ( )
( h + 8) ( k - 12) −2( 4 ( −8 ) + 7 (12) + 13)
⇒ = =
4 7 (4 2
+ 72 )
⇒
( h + 8) =
( k - 12) = -2
4 7
h = -16 and k = -2
Centre of C2 = (-16, -2)
Radius = 5 units
Equation of the circle is (x + 16)2 + (y + 2)2 = 25.
Option c is the correct answer.
4.
Step 1 Y
Let the given circle be C1 with centre (h, 2) and
radius h units.
⇒ (x - h)2 + (y - 2)2 = |h|2
C1
⇒ (x - h)2 + (y - 2)2 = h2
(h, 2) |h|
Step 2 A(0, 2)
C1 passes through (-1, 0)
-5
⇒ (-1 - h)2 + (0 - 2)2 = h2 ⇒ h = .
2 B
5
2 X
(x + 5 )2 + (y - 2)2 =   (-1, 0)
2 2
(-4, 0) satisfies the equation, and hence it lies on the circle.
Option d is the correct answer.
Self-Assessment
1.
Step 1 Step 2

Let the equation of the circle be Given,

x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 ------ (1) Centre (-g, -f) lies on 3x + 4y = 7
Given, ⇒ -3g - 4f = 7---------(4)
The circle passes through (1, -2) and On solving, we get
(4, -3) On substituting the values -47 3 11
g= ,f= and c =
15 5 3
respectively, we get, On substituting the values in equation (1), we get,
5 + 2g - 4f + c = 0 ---------- (2) 15x2 + 15y2 - 94x + 18y + 55 = 0
25 + 8g - 6f + c = 0 ---------- (3) Therefore, the equation of the required circle is
15x2 + 15y2 - 94x + 18y + 55 = 0.

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2.
Step 1 Step 2

Let x1, x2, and y1, y2 be roots of Equation of a circle with

x2 + 2ax - b2 = 0 and x2 + 2px - q2 = 0, (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) as the end points of the
respectively. diameter is (x - x1)(x - x2)+(y - y1)(y - y2) = 0
x1 + x2 = -2a, x1x2 = -b2, x2 + y2 - x(x1 + x2) -y(y1 + y2) + x1x2 + y1y2 = 0
y1 + y2 = -2p, y1y2 = -q2 x2 + y2 + 2ax + 2py - b2 - q2 = 0
Therefore, the equation of the required circle is
x2 + y2 + 2ax + 2py - b2 - q2 = 0

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