Equation of A Circle
Equation of A Circle
Definition of a Circle
A circle is the set of all points in a plane
equidistant from a fixed point called the
center point.
We can derive the equation directly
from the distance formula.
If we place the center point on the origin
point, the equation of a circle with
center point (0, 0) and radius r is:
x2 + y2 = r2
x 0 y 0 r 2 now simplify...
2
x2 y2 r 2
(x,y)
3 4 r2
2
9 16 r
2
25 r
2
2
x y 25
(x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2
With center at (h, k) and radius r.
Here are some examples:
Sample Problems
1) Find the center, radius and graph the equation: (x - 2)2 + (y + 5)2 = 17
Solution: x2 + (x - 1)2 = 25
x2 + x2 - 2x + 1 = 25
2x2 - 2x - 24 = 0
x2 - x - 12 = 0 Now factor
(x - 4)(x + 3) = 0
x = 4 or x = -3
Substituting back in to find y gives the following
points: (4, 3) and (-3, -4)
x y Dx Ey F 0
2
(2,5)
B
4
(6,3)
2
-15
-10
-5
-2
-4
-6
-8
10
15
d3
-15
-10
-5
p
d1
-2
-4
-6
-8
d2
10
15
2 x ' y ' 2
22 12
2 x ' y ' 10
22 (1) 2
2 x ' y ' 10
x' 2
2 1
Bisector
x ' 2 y ' 5
1 2
2
x' 2
x '- 3 y ' 5
2 - 3y ' 5
-3 y ' 3
y ' -1
Intersection point of the bisectors
is (2, -1) This is the center of the circle.
The distance from the center to the side of the circle is 5.
x 2 y 1 5.
2
Homework
Assignment
Page 87- 89
Problems 1 49 odd