Circle

1. DEFINITION :
A circle is the locus of a point which moves in such a way that its distance from a fixed point is
constant. The fixed point is called the centre of the circle and the constant distance, the radius of the
circle.
2. EQUATION OFTHE CIRCLE INVARIOUS FORMS :
2.1 The simplest equation of the circle is x
2
+ y
2
= r
2
whose centre is (0, 0) and radius r.
2.2 The equation (x a)
2
+ (y b)
2
= r
2
represents a circle with centre (a, b) and radius r.
2.3 The equation x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 is the general equation of a circle with centre ( g, f) and
radius
c f g
2 2
+
.
drill Exercise - 1
1. Find the equation of the circle which passes through the point of intersection of the lines 3x 2y 1 = 0
and 4x + y 27 = 0 and whose centre is (2, 3)
2. Find the equation of a circle whose diameters are 2x 3y + 12 = 0 and x + 4y 5 = 0 and area is
154 square units.
3. Find the centre and radius of the circle, 2x
2
+ 2y
2
= 3x 5y + 7
4. The circle x
2
+ y
2
2x 2y + 1 = 0 is rolled along the positive direction of x-axis and makes one
complete roll. Find its equation in new-position.
5. Find the area of an equilateral triangle inscribed in the circle, x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0.
2.4 Diametric form
Equation of the circle with points P(x
1
, y
1
) and Q(x
2
, y
2
) as extremities of a diameter is
(x x
1
) (x x
2
) + (y y
1
) (y y
2
) = 0.
drill Exercise - 2
1. Find the equation of the circle, the end points of whose diameter are the centres of the circles
x
2
+ y
2
+ 6x 14y = 1 and x
2
+ y
2
4x + 10y = 2.
2. Find the equation of the circle drawn on the intercept made by the line 2x + 3y = 6 between the
coordinate axes as diameter.
3. The line 2x y + 6 = 0 meets the circle x
2
+ y
2
2y 9 = 0 at A and B. Find the equation of the circle
on AB as diameter.
4. Find the equation of the circle which passes through the origin and cuts off intercepts a and b respectively
from x and y-axes.
5. The abscissae of two points A and B are the roots of the equation x
2
+ 2ax b
2
= 0 and their
ordinates are the roots of the equation x
2
+ 2px q
2
= 0. Find the equation and the radius of the circle
with AB as diameter.
Circle
2.5 Equation of a circle under different conditions :
CONDITION EQUATION
(i) Touches both the axes with radius a (x-a)
2
+ (y - a)
2
= a
2
(ii) Touches x-axis only with centre (o, a) (x o)
2
+ (y a)
2
= a
2
(iii) Touches y-axis only with centre (a, |) (x a)
2
+ (y |)
2
= a
2
2.6 Parametric equation of a circle :
The equation x = a cosu, y = a sinu are called parametric equations of the circle x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
and u is
called a parameter. the point (a cosu, asinu) is also referred to as point u. The parametric coordinates
of any point on the circle (x h)
2
+ (y k)
2
= a
2
are given by (h + a cosu, k + a sinu) with 0 su < 2t.
Remarks :
(i) Since there are three independent constants g, f, c in the general equation of a circle.
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 a circle can be found to satisfy three independent geometrical
conditions and no more. For example, when three points on a circle or three tangents to a
circle or two tangents to a circle and a point on it are given, the circle can be determined.
(ii) To find the condition for the general equation of the second degree ax
2
+ 2hxy + by
2
+ 2gx
+ 2fy + c = 0 to represent the circle, viz., x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 we see that there is no
term in xy and that the coefficient of x
2
is the same as that of y
2
i.e., the coefficient of
xy = 0 and coefficient of x
2
= coefficient of y
2
.
(iii) If an initial line through the centre is assumed, and its point of intersection with the circle is
taken as the starting point, then t measures the angle made by the radius vector of any point
with the initial line. Thus two diametrically opposite points can be taken as
(o + a cos t, | + a sin t) and (o + cos (t + t), | + a sin (t + t)).
(iv) The equation of a straight line joining two point | o& on the circle x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
is
2
cos a
2
sin y
2
cos x
| o
=
| + o
+
| + o
.
drill Exercise - 3
1. Find the equation of the circle which touches
(i) the x-axis and whose centre is (3, 4)
(ii) the x-axis at the origin and whose radius is 5
(iii) both the axes and whose radius is 5
(iv) the lines x = 0, y = 0 and x = a
2. Find the parametric equations of each of the following circles
(i) 4x
2
+ 4y
2
= 25 (ii) x
2
+ y
2
ax by = 0
3. Find the Cartesian equations of the following curves :
(i) x = 5 cos u, y = 5 sin u (ii) x = 3 + 2 sin u, y = 4 + 2 cos u
4. Find the equation of the circle which passes through the points (4, 1), (6, 5) and has its centre on the
line 4x + y = 16.
5. Find the equation of the circle passing through the three non-collinear points (1, 1), (2, 1) and (3, 2).
Circle
2.7 Intercepts made on axes:
Solving the circle x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 with y = 0 we get, x
2
+ 2gx + c = 0. If discriminant
4(g
2
c) is positive, i.e., if g
2
> c, the circle will meet the x-axis at two distinct points, say (x
1
, 0) and
(x
2
, 0) where x
1
+ x
2
= 2g and x
1
x
2
= c. The intercept made on x-axis by the
circle = |x
1
x
2
| =
c g 2
2

.
In the similar manner if f
2
>c, intercept made on y-axis =
c f 2
2

.
Remarks :
If g
2
- c > 0 circle cuts x axis at two distinct points.
If g
2
= c circle touches the x-axis
If g
2
< c circle lies completely above or below the x-axis.
Similar is the case for intercepts on y-axis.
Illustration 1:
Find the equation of the circle whose diameter is the line joining the points ( 4, 3) and
(12, 1). Find the intercept made by it on the y-axis
Solution :
The equation of the required circle is (x + 4)(x 12) + (y 3)(y + 1) = 0
On the y-axis, x = 0
48 + y
2
2y 3 = 0 y
2
2y 51 = 0
y = 1
52
Hence the intercept on the y-axis = 2
52
=
13 4
Illustration 2:
A circle has radius equal to 3 units and its centre lies on the line y = x 1. Find the equation of the
circle if it passes through (7, 3).
Solution :
Let the centre of the circle be (o, |).
It lies on the line y = x 1
| = o 1. Hence the centre is (o, o 1).
The equation of the circle is
(x o)
2
+ (y o + 1)
2
= 9
It passes through (7, 3)
(7 o)
2
+ (4 o)
2
= 9
o
2
11o + 28 = 0
(o 4) (o 7) = 0 o = 4, 7.
Hence the required equation are
x
2
+ y
2
8x 6y + 16 = 0 and x
2
+ y
2
14x 12y + 76 = 0
Circle
drill Exercise - 4
1. Find the lengths of the intercepts made by each of the following circles with coordinates axes
(i) x
2
+ y
2
4x 6y 5= 0 (ii) x
2
+ y
2
10x + 6y + 9 = 0
2. Find the equation to the circle touching the y-axis at a distance 3 from the origin and intercepting a
length 8 on the x-axis.
3. Show that the circle x
2
+ y
2
2ax 2ay + a
2
= 0 touches both the coordinate axes.
4. Find the equation of a circle whose radius is 5 and which cuts off intercepts 4 and 6 from the axes.
5. Two rods of a length a and b slide along the coordinate axes, which are rectangular, in such a way that
their ends are always concyclic; prove that the locus of the centre of the circle passing through these
ends in the curve 4(x
2
y
2
) = a
2
b
2
.
3. TANGENTSAND NORMALS
3.1 Definition :
A tangent to a curve at a point is defined as the limiting positions of a secant obtained by joining the
given point to another point in the vicinity on the curve as the second point tends to the first point
along the curve or as the limiting position of a secant obtained by joining two points on the curve in the
vicinity of the given point as both the points tend to the given point.
Two tangents, real or imaginary, can be drawn to a circle from a point in the plane. The tangents are
real and distinct if the point is outside the circle, real and coincident if the point is on the circle, and
imaginary if the point is inside the circle.
The normal to a curve at a point is defined as the straight line passing through the point and perpendicular
to the tangent at that point. In case of a circle, every normal passes through the centre of the circle.
3.2 Equations of Tangents and Normals :
If S = 0 be a curve than S
1
= 0 indicate the equation which is obtained by substituting x = x
1
and
y = y
1
in the equation of the given curve, and T = 0 is the equation which is obtained by substituting
x
2
= xx
1,
y
2
= yy
1
, 2xy = xy
1
+ yx
1
, 2x = x + x
1
, 2y = y + y
1
in the equation S = 0.
If S x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 then S
1
x
1
2
+ y
1
2
+ 2gx
1
+ 2fy
1
+ c, and
T xx
1
+ yy
1
+ g (x + x
1
) + f (y + y
1
) + c
Equation of the tangent to x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 at A(x
1
, y
1
) is xx
1
+ yy
1
+ g(x + x
1
)
+ f (y + y
1
) + c = 0.
The equation of the normal to the circle x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 at any point (x
1
, y
1
) lying
on the circle is
g x
x x
1
1
+

=
f y
y y
1
1
+

. In particular, equations of the tangent and the normal to the

circle x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
at (x
1
, y
1
) are xx
1
+ yy
1
= a
2
; and
1
x
x
=
1
y
y
respectively..
Circle
drill Exercise - 5
1. Find the equation of the tangent to the circle x
2
+ y
2
30x + 6y + 109 = 0 at (4, 1).
2. Prove that the tangents to the circle x
2
+ y
2
= 169 at (5, 12) and (12, 5) are perpendicular to each
other.
3. Show that the line x sin u y cos u = a touches the circle x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
for all values of u.
4. The tangent at the point (o, |) to the circle x
2
+ y
2
= r
2
cuts the axes of coordinates in A and B. Prove
that the area of the triangle OAB is
2
1
4
r
o|
, O being the origin.
5. Find the equation to the normal at the point (3, 4) to the circle x
2
+ y
2
3x 6y 10 = 0.
3.3 Equation of tangent in Slope Form
The condition that the straight line y = mx + c is a tangent to the circle x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
is c
2
= a
2
(1 + m
2
)
and the point of contact is (a
2
m/c, a
2
/c) i.e. y = mx a
2
m 1+
is always a tangent to the circle
x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
whatever be the value of m.
drill Exercise - 6
1. Find the equation of the two tangents to x
2
+ y
2
= 3 which make an angle of 60 with the axis of x.
2. Find the equation of the tangent lines to the circle x
2
+y
2
= 9 which are parallel to the line 2x + y 3 = 0.
3. Find the equation of the tangents to the circle x
2
+ y
2
22x 4y + 25 = 0, which are perpendicular
to the straight line 5x + 12y + 9 = 0.
4. Find the equation of the tangents through (7, 1) to the circle x
2
+ y
2
=25.
5. Find the equations of the tangents to the circle x
2
+ y
2
2x 4y 20 = 0 which pass through the point
(8, 1).
3.4 Equation of tangents in parametric form
Since parametric co-ordinates of circle x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
is (a cos u, a sin u), then equation of tangent at
(a cos u, a sin u) is
x.a cos u + y. a sin u = a
2
or x cos u + y sin u = a
Circle
drill Exercise - 7
1. Write the parametric equations of the circle x
2
+ y
2
2x 4y 4 = 0.
2. Write the parametric equation of the circle 2x
2
+ 2y
2
5x 7y 3 = 0.
3. Write the parametric equation of the circle 3x
2
+ 3y
2
+ 4x 6y 4 = 0.
4. Find the equation of the tangent to the circle x
2
+ y
2
2ax = 0 at the point (a (1 + cos o), a sino).
5. Show that the line (x 2) cos u + (y 2) sin u = 1 touches a circle for all values of u. Find the circle.
3.5 Length Of A Tangent And Power Of A Point
The length of a tangent from an external point (x
1
, y
1
) to the circle 0 2 2
2 2
= + + + + c fy gx y x S is
given by L =
1 1 1
2
1
2
1
2 2 S c y f gx y x = + + + +
. Square of length of the tangent from the point
P is also called the Power Of Point w.r.t. a circle.
Note that : Power of a point P is positive, negative or zero according as the point P is outside,
inside or on the circle respectively.
3.6 Chord of Contact :
If two tangents PT
1
& PT
2
are drawn from an outside point P(x
1
, y
1
) to the circle
0 2 2
2 2
= + + + + c fy gx y x S , then the equation of the chord of contact T
1
T
2
is :
0
1 1 1 1
= + + + + + + c ) y y ( f ) x x ( g yy xx .
drill Exercise - 8
1. Find the length of tangents drawn from the point (3, 4) to the circle 2x
2
+ 2y
2
7x 9y 13 = 0
2. If the length of tangent from (f, g) to the circle x
2
+ y
2
= 6 be twice the length of the tangent from
(f, g) to circle x
2
+ y
2
+ 3x + 3y = 0 then will f
2
+ g
2
+ 4f + 4g + 2 = 0
3. Show that the length of the tangent from any point on the circle x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 to the circle
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c
1
= 0 is c c
1
.
4. The distance from the origin of the centre of the circle x
2
+ y
2
+ 2
i
x c
2
= 0, i = 1, 2, 3 are in G. P.
Prove that the lengths of the tangents drawn from any point on the circle x
2
+ y
2
= c
2
to these circle are
also in G. P.
5. The angle between a pair of tangents from a point P to the circle x
2
+ y
2
+ 4x 6y + 9 sin
2
o + 13cos
2
o = 0 is 2o. Find the equation of the locus of the point P.
Circle
3.7 Equation of Pair of Tangent
The joint equation of a pair of tangents drawn from the point A(x
1
, y
1
) to the circle,
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 is T
2
= SS
1
.
3.8 Director Circle:
The locus of the point of intersection of perpendicular tangents is called director circle.
If
2
) x ( o +
2
) y ( | = r
2
is the equation of a circle then its director circle is
2
) x ( o +
2
) y ( | = 2r
2
.
3.9 Equation Of The Chord With A Given Middle Point
The equation of the chord of the circle 0 2 2
2 2
= + + + + c fy gx y x S in terms of its mid point
, ) , )
1
1 1 1 1
1
x g
M x , y is y y x x
y f
+
=
+
.This on simplication can be put in the from
, ) , )
2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
xx yy g x x f y y c x y 2gx 2fy c + + + + + + = + + + + which is designated by T = S
1
.
Note That
the shortest chord of a circle passing through a point M inside the circle, is one chord whose middle
point is M.
the chord passing through a point M inside the circle and which is at a maximum distance from the
centre is a chord with middle point M.
drill Exercise - 9
1. Find the equation of the chord of x
2
+ y
2
6x + 10y 9 = 0 which is bisected at (2, 4).
2. Find the middle point of the chord intercepted on the line lx + my + n = 0 by the circle x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
.
3. Through a fixed point (h, k), secants are drawn to the circle x
2
+ y
2
= r
2
. Show that the locus of mid
point of the portions of the secants intercepted by the circle is x
2
+ y
2
= hx + ky.
4. Find the equations of the tangents from the point A(3, 2) to the circle x
2
+ y
2
+ 4x + 6y + 8 = 0.
5. Find the equation of director circle of the circle x
2
+ y
2
2ax 2by + 2 = 0, where a and b are
parameter, if the tangents from the origin to each of the circles are orthogonal.
3.10 The position of a point with respect to a circle :
The point P(x
1
, y
1
) lies outside, on, or inside a circle S x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0,
according as S
1
x
1
2
+ y
1
2
+ 2gx
1
+ 2fy
1
+ c > = or < 0.
The greatest & the least distance of a point A from a circle with centre C & radius r is
AC + r & AC - r respectively.
Circle
3.11 Perpendicular from the centre on the line then
: > r p the line does not meet the circle
: = r p the line touches the circle
0 < : < r p the line is a secant of the circle
: = 0 p the line is a diameter of the circle
Remember :
Chord of contact exists only if the point P is outside the circle
Length of chord of contact T
1
T
2
=
2 2
2
L R
LR
+
.
Area of the triangle formed by the pair of tangents and its chord of contact =
2 2
3
L R
RL
+
where
R is radius of the circle & L is the length of the tangent from (x
1
, y
1
) on the circle S = 0.
Tangent of the angle between the pair of tangents from , )
|
.
|

=
2 2 1 1
2
R L
RL
y , x where
R = radius; L = length of tangent.
Equation of the circle circumscribing the triangle PT
1
T
2
is :
, ), ) , ), ) 0
1 1
= + + + f y y y g x x x .
Illustration 3:
Find the co-ordinates of the point from which tangents are drawn to the circle
x
2
+ y
2
6x 4y + 3 = 0 such that the mid point of its chord of contact is (1, 1).
Solution :
Let the required point be P(x
1
, y
1
). The equation of the chord of contact of P with respect to the given
circle is xx
1
+ yy
1
3(x + x
1
) 2(y + y
1
) + 3 = 0
The equation of the chord with mid-point (1, 1) is
x + y 3 (x + 1) 2 (y + 1) + 3 = 1 + 1 6 4 + 3 2x + y = 3
Equating the ratios of the coefficients of x, y and the constant terms and solving for x, y we get
x
1
= 1, y
1
= 0.
Illustration 4 :
Find the pair of tangents from A (5, 10) to the circle x
2
+ y
2
+ 4x 2y 8 = 0 and the corresponding
points of contact.
Solution:
The circle is : (x + 2)
2
+ (y 1)
2
= 13 ; the centre C is (2, 1) and the radius is
13
.

Circle
Let y = mx + b be a tangent ; then, since it passes through A,
b = 10 5m .......(1)
If p is the length of the perpendicular from C to the tangent, then p = r =
13
. But, the equation of the
tangent being written as mx y + b = 0, p is given by
p =
) m 1 (
b 1 m 2
2
+
+
.......(2)
or, by means of (1) p =
) m 1 (
m 7 9
2
+

.
Hence, m is given by (9 7m)
2
= 13(1 + m
2
) or 18m
2
63m + 34 = 0
or (3m 2)(6m 17) = 0
The gradients are 2/3 and 17/6; the tangents are
y 10 =
3
2
(x 5) and y 10 =
6
17
(x 5)
or 2x 3y + 20 = 0 and 17x 6y 25 = 0. ........(3)
The corresponding normals are
y 1 =
2
3
(x + 2) and y 1 =
17
6
(x + 2)
or 3x + 2y + 4 = 0 and 6x + 17y 5 = 0.
The coordinates of the point of contact of the first tangent in (3) are obtained by solving
2x 3y + 20 = 0 and 3x + 2y + 4 = 0;
the coordinates are (4, 4).
Similarly, the point of contact of the second tangent is (7/5, 1/5)
drill Exercise - 10
1. State whether the following statements are True or False.
(a) The point (1, 2) lies inside the circle x
2
+ y
2
- 2x + 6y + 1 = 0.
(b) The point (6, 0) lies outside the circle x
2
+ y
2
4x + 2y 11 = 0
(c) The line 3x + 5y + 9 = 0 is a diameter of the circle x
2
+ y
2
- 4x + 6y + 5 = 0.
2. For what value of K will the straight line 3x + 4y = k touch the circle x
2
+ y
2
= 10 x ?
3. Find the least and the greatest distances of the point (10, 7) from the circle x
2
+ y
2
- 4x - 2y - 20 = 0.
4. Find the length of the shortest chord of the circles x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 which passes through
the point (a, b) inside the circle.
5. The point A(2, 1) is outside the circle x +y +2gx+2fy+ c = 0 and AP, AQ are tangents to the
circle. Find the equation of the circle circumscribing the triangle APQ .

Circle
4. RADICALAXIS
The radical axis of two circles is the locus of a point from which the tangent segments to the two
circles are of equal length.
4.1 Equation to the Radical Axis
In general S S' = 0 represents the equation of the radical Axis to the two circles i.e. 2x(g g' ) + 2y
(f f ' ) + c c' = 0 where S x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 and
S' x
2
+ y
2
+ 2g'x + 2f 'y + c' = 0
If S = 0 and S' = 0 intersect in real and distinct point then S S' = 0 is the equation of the
common chord of the two circles.
If S = 0 and S' = 0 touch each other, then S S' = 0 is the equation of the common tangent
to the two circles at the point of contact.
(-g, -f) (-g -f ) ,
Common tangent
(-g,-f) (-g -f ) ,
Common chord
Radical axis is always perpendicular to the line joining the centres of the two circles.
Radical axis will pass through the mid point of the line joining the centres of the two circles
only if the two circles have equal radii.
Radical axis bisects a common tangent between the two circles.
A system of circles, every two of which have the same radical axis, is called a coaxial system.
Pairs of circles which do not have radical axis are concentric.
4.2 The radical axes of three circles, taken in pairs, are concurrent
Let the equations of the three circles S
1
, S
2
and S
3
be
S
1
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2g
1
x + 2f
1
y + c
1
= 0,
S
2
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2g
2
x + 2f
2
y + c
2
= 0
and S
3
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2g
3
x + 2f
3
y + c
3
= 0 ........(1)
Now, by the previous section, the radical axis of S
1
and S
2
is
obtained by subtracting the equations of these circles ; hence
it is S
1
S
2
= 0 .......(2)
Similarly, the radical axis of S
2
and S
3
is
S
2
S
3
= 0 .......(3)
The lines (2) and (3) meet at a point whose coordinates say,
(X, Y) satisfy
S
1
S
2
= 0 and S
2
S
3
= 0;
hence the coordinates (X, Y) satisfy
(S
1
S
2
) + (S
2
S
3
) = 0;
that is , (X, Y) satisfy S
1
S
3
= 0 ........(4)
But (4) is the radical axis of the circles S
1
and S
3
and hence the three radical axes are concurrent. The
point of concurrency of the three radical axes is called the radical centre.
Circle
Illustration 5:
Prove that the circle x
2
+ y
2
6x 4y + 9 = 0 bisects the circumference of the circle
x
2
+ y
2
8x 6y + 23 = 0.
Solution :
The given circles are
S
1
x
2
+ y
2
6x 4y + 9 = 0 .........(1)
and S
2
x
2
+ y
2
8x 6y + 23 = 0 .........(2)
Equation of the common chord of circles (1) and (2) which is also the radical axis of the circles S
1
and
S
2
is S
1
S
2
= 0 or, 2x + 2y 14 = 0 or, x + y 7 = 0 .........(3)
Centre of the circle S
2
is (4, 3). Clearly, line (3) passes through the point (4, 3) and hence line (3) is
the equation of the diameter of the circle (2). Hence circle (1) bisects the circumference of circle (2).
drill Exercise - 11
1. Find the equation to the radical axis of the circles 2x
2
+ 2y
2
+ 14x 18 y + 15 = 0 and
4x
2
+ 4y
2
3x y + 5 = 0.
2. Prove that the length of the common chord of the two circles (x a)
2
+ (y b)
2
= c
2
and
(x b)
2
+ (y a)
2
= c
2
is
2 2
) b a ( 2 c 4
. Find also the condition when the given circles touch.
3. Find the radical centre of circles x
2
+ y
2
+ 3x + 2y + 1 = 0, x
2
+ y
2
x + 6y + 5 = 0 and
x
2
+ y
2
+ 5x 8y + 15 = 0. Also find the equation of the circle cutting them orthogonally.
4. Find the radical centre of three circles described on the three sides 4x 7y + 10 = 0, x + y 5= 0 and
7x + 4y 15 = 0 of a triangle as diameters.
5. Prove that if four points of intersection of the circles, x
2
+ y
2
+ ax + by + c = 0
and x
2
+ y
2
+ a'x + b'y + c' = 0 by the lines Ax + By + C = 0 and A'x + B'y + C' = 0 respectively are
concyclic then
' C ' B ' A
C B A
' c c ' b b ' a a
= 0.
5. FAMILY OF CIRCLES :
If S x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 and S' x
2
+ y
2
+ 2g'x + 2f'y + c' = 0 are two intersecting
circles , then S +S' = 0, = 1, is the equation of the family of circles passing through the
points of intersection S = 0 and S' = 0.
If S x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 is a circle which is intersected by the straight line
ax + by + c = 0 at two real and distinct points, then S + = 0 is the equation of the family
of circles passing through the points of intersection of S = 0 and = 0. If = 0 touches
S = 0 at P, then S + = 0 is the equation of the family of circles, each touching = 0 at P.
Circle
The equation of a family of circles passing through two given points (x
1
, y
1
) and (x
2
, y
2
) can
be written in the form.
(xx
1
) (x x
2
) + (y y
1
)(y y
2
) +
1 y x
1 y x
1 y x
2 2
1 1
= 0 where is a parameter..
The equation of the family of circles which touch the line y - y
1
= m(x x
1
) at (x
1
, y
1
) for any
value of m is (x x
1
)
2
+ (y y
1
)
2
+ (y - y
1
m (x x
1
)) = 0.
Family of circles circumscribing a triangle whose sides are given by L
1
= 0; L
2
= 0 and
L
3
= 0 is given by ; 0
1 3 3 2 2 1
= + + L L L L L L provided coefficient of xy = 0 and
coefficient of x
2
= coefficient of y
2
.
Equation of circle circumscribing a quadrilateral whose side in order are represented by the
lines 0 0 0 0
4 3 2 1
= = = = L & L , L , L are 0
4 2 3 1
= + L L L L where value of

can be found
out by using condition that coefficient of x
2
= coefficient of 0 y
2
= and coefficient of xy = 0.
Illustration 6:
Tangents PQ and PR are drawn to the circle x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
from the point P(x
1
, y
1
). Prove that equation
of the circumcircle of APQR is x
2
+ y
2
xx
1
yy
1
= 0.
Solution :
QR is the chord of contact of the tangents to the circle
x
2
+ y
2
a
2
= 0 .........(1)
So, its equation will be
xx
1
+ yy
1
a
2
= 0 ..........(2)
The circumcircle of APQR is a circle passing through the intersection of the circle (1) and the line (2)
and the point P(x
1
, y
1
).
Circle through the intersection of (1) and (2) is
x
2
+ y
2
a
2
+ (xx
1
+ yy
1
a
2
) = 0 ..........(3)
it will pass through (x
1
, y
1
) if
x
1
2
+ y
1
2
a
2
+ (x
1
2
+ y
1
2
a
2
) = 0
= 1 (since x
1
2
+ y
1
2
= a
2
)
Hence equation of circle is
(x
2
+ y
2
a
2
) (xx
1
+ yy
1
a
2
) = 0
or x
2
+ y
2
xy
1
yy
1
= 0.
Circle
Illustration 7 :
If the line 1 + = x y is a tangent to the circle
0 2 2
2 2
= + + + + c y x y x
. Then find the corresponding
point of contact.
Solution :
Let the pt. be ) 1 , ( + o o .
So, the equation of circle will be of the form
0 ) 1 ( )] 1 ( [ ) (
2 2
= + + + o + o y x y x
.
Comparing with the given circle
we get,
2 2 = + o
... (1)
and 2 ) 1 ( 2 = + o . ... (2)
Adding (1) & (2) we get,
2
3
= o
.
So the point is
|
.
|

2
1
,
2
3
.
drill Exercise - 12
1. Find the equation to the circle which passes through the point (2, 4) and through the points in which
the circle x
2
+ y
2
2x 6y + 6 = 0 is cut by the line 3x + 2y 5 = 0.
2. Find the equation of the circle which passes through the point of intersection of the circles
x
2
+ y
2
6x + 2y + 4 = 0 and x
2
+ y
2
+ 2x 4y 6 = 0 and whose centre lies on the lien y =x .
3. If y = mx be the equation of a chord of the circle x
2
+ y
2
2ax = 0, prove that the circle of which this
chord is a diameter is the equation (1 + m
2
) (x
2
+ y
2
) 2a (x + my) = 0.
4. Let the equation of lines are x + y + 3 = 0, 2x + 3y = 4, 3x y + 9 = 0 then find the equation of
circumcircle.
5. Find the equation of the circle whose radius is 3 and which touches internally the circle
x
2
+ y
2
4x 6y 12 = 0 at the point (1, 1).
6. THE CONDITIONTHATTWO CIRCLES SHOULD INTERSECT
A necessary and sufficient condition for the two circles to intersect at two distinct points is
r
1
+ r
2
> C
1
C
2
> |r
1
r
2
|, where C
1
, C
2
be the centres and r
1
, r
2
be the radii of the two circles.
6.1. External and Internal Contacts of Circles :
If two circles with centres C
1
(x
1
, y
1
) and C
2
(x
2
, y
2
) and radii r
1
and r
2
respectively, touch each other
externally, C
1
C
2
= r
1
+ r
2
. Coordinates of the point of contact are
A
|
|
.
|

+
+
+
+
2 1
1 2 2 1
2 1
1 2 2 1
r r
y r y r
,
r r
x r x r
.
Circle
The circles touch each other internally if C
1
C
2
= r
1
r
2
.
Coordinates of the point of contact are
T
|
|
.
|

2 1
1 2 2 1
2 1
1 2 2 1
r r
y r y r
,
r r
x r x r
.
6.2 Common Tangents To Two Circles
Number Of Tangents Condition
4 common tangents
2 1 2 1
c c r r < +
(2 direct and 2 transverse)
3 common tangents. r
1
+ r
2
= c
1
c
2
2 common tangent
2 1 2 1 2 1
r r c c r r + < <
1 common tangent
2 1 2 1
c c r r =
No common tangent
2 1 2 1
r r c c <
Circle
drill Exercise - 13
1. Examine whether the two circles x
2
+ y
2
2x 4y = 0 and x
2
+ y
2
8y 4 = 0 touch each other
internally or externally.
2. Prove that the circle x
2
+ y
2
+ 2ax + c
2
= 0 and x
2
+ y
2
+ 2by + c
2
= 0 touch each other if
2
a
1
+
2
b
1
=
2
c
1
.
3. Prove that the circle x
2
+ y
2
+ 2x + 2y + 1 = 0 and x
2
+ y
2
4x 6y 3 = 0 touch each other and find
the coordinates of the point of contact.
4. If the two circles x
2
+ y
2
8x + 2y + 8 = 0 and (x 1)
2
+ (y 3)
2
= r
2
intersect in two distinct points,
then prove that 2 < r < 8.
5. Find the locus of the centres of the circles, which touch the two circles x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
and x
2
+ y
2
4ax = 0
and are external to both.
6.3 Length of an external (or direct) common tangent & internal (or transverse) common tangent
Length of an external (or direct) common tangent & internal (or transverse) common tangent to the
two circles is given by :
, ) , )
2
2 1
2 2
2 1
2
r r d L & r r d L
int ext
+ = =
where d = distance
between the centres of the two circles. r
1
& r
2
are the radii of the two circles.
Note that length of internal common tangent is always less than the length of the external or direct
common tangent.
The direct common tangents to two circles meet on the line of centres and divide it externally in the
ratio of the radii.
The transverse common tangents also meet on the line of centres and divide it internally in the ratio of
the radii.
Note :
(i) When two circles are real and non-intersecting, 4 common tangents can be drawn.
Condition r
1
+ r
2
< c
1
.c
2
.
(ii) When two circles touch each other externally, 3 common tangents can be drawn to the circle.
Condition r
1
+ r
2
= c
1
.c
2
.
Circle
(iii) When two circles intersect each other, two common tangents can be drawn to the circles.
(iv) When two circles touch each other internally 1 common tangent can be drawn to the circles.
Illustration 8:
Prove that the circles x
2
+ y
2
6x 6y 7 = 0 and x
2
+ y
2
10x + 7 = 0 intersect and find the
coordinates of the common points.
Solution :
The first circle, S
1
, is (x 3)
2
+ (y 3)
2
= 25; its centre C
1
is (3, 3) and its radius is 5.
The second circle, S
2
, is (x 5)
2
+ y
2
= 18; its centre C
2
, is (5, 0) and its radius is 3 2 .
Subtracting the equations of the circles we obtain, after division by 2,
2x 3y 7 = 0. ... (i)
Then p
1
, the perpendicular distance from C
1
(3, 3) to the line (i), is 10/
13
which is less than
r
1
( 5).
Similarly p
2
, the perpendicular distance from C
2
(5, 0) to (i), is 3/
13
which is less than r
2
(3 2 ).
Accordingly, the circles intersect and (i) is the equation of the common chord AB.
The coordinates of A and B are obtained by solving (i) and one of the equations of the circles in this
case the second equation is the simpler for this purpose. On eliminating y between the two equations
concerned we obtain 9x
2
+ (2x 7)
2
90x + 63 = 0
or 13x
2
118x + 112 = 0 or (x 8)(13x 14) = 0.
Thus the abscissa of A and B are 8 and 14/13; from (i) the corresponding ordinates are
3 and 21/13; A and B are the points (8, 3) and (14, 13, 21/13).
Illustration 9 :
Find the equations of the common tangents to the circles x
2
+ y
2
2x 6y + 9 = 0 and
x
2
+ y
2
+ 6x 2y + 1 = 0.
Solution :
The centres are C
1
(1, 3) and C
2
( 3, 1) respectively and the radii are r
1
=
9 9 1 +
= 1 and
r
2
=
1 1 9 +
= 3.
point I dividing
2 1
C C
internally in the ratio 1 : 3 is
|
.
|

\
+
4
10
.
4
3 3
or
|
.
|

2
5
, 0
.
Similarly point E dividing
2 1
C C
externally in the ratio 1 : 3 is (3, 4). The equation of a transverse
common tangent is of the form
y 5/2 = m(x 0) or 2mx 2y + 5 = 0
Since this is tangent to the first circle, its distance from the centre (1, 3) is same as its radius 1.
So,
4 m 4
5 ) 3 ( 2 ) 1 ( m 2
2
+
+
= 1 or, (2m 1)
2
= 4m
2
+ 4 or, m =
4
3
Since the two circles does not touch each other externally,

second value of m = infinity, so the

equations of transverse common tangent are x = 0 and 3x + 4 y 10 = 0. The equation of a direct
common tangent is of form y 4 = m(x 3) or mx y + 4 3m = 0
Since this line is tangent to the circle, we get
Circle
1 m
m 3 4 3 ) 1 ( m
2
+
+
= 1 or (1 2m)
2
= m
2
+ 1
or (3m 4) m = 0 or m = 0,
3
4
So the common tangents are
y 4 = 0 (x 3) or y = 4
and y 4 =
3
4
(x 3) or 4x 3y = 0
drill Exercise - 14
1. Determine the position of the circles
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2x 8y + 13 = 0
x
2
+ y
2
12x 14y + 76 = 0
and find the equation of the common tangents.
2. Find the coordinates of the point at which the circles x
2
+ y
2
4x 2y 4 = 0 and
x
2
+ y
2
12x 8y 12 = 0 touch each other. Also, find the equations of common tangents touching
the circle in distinct points.
3. Two circles, each of radius 5 units, touch each other at (1, 2). If the equation of their common tangent
is 4x + 3y = 10, find the equation of the circle.
4. Show that the common tangents to the circle x
2
+ y
2
6x = 0 and x
2
+ y
2
+ 2x = 0 form an equilateral
triangle.
5. Find all the common tangents to the circles x
2
+ y
2
2x 6y + 9 = 0 and x
2
+ y
2
+ 6x 2y + 1 = 0.
7. ORTHOGONAL CIRCLES
Two circles are said to be orthogonal if the tangents to the circles at
either point of intersection are at right angles.
In fig. Q
1
and Q
2
are the centres of the circles
S
1
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 .......(1)
S
2
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2Gx + 2Fy + C = 0 ........(2)
the circles, S
1
and S
2
, intersect at A and B.
The tangent at A to the circles S
1
is perpendicular to the radius Q
1
A, and the tangent at A to S
2
is
perpendicular to the radius Q
2
A. Hence, if the two tangents are at right angles, then the radii Q
1
A and
Q
2
A must also be at right angles. Accordingly, the condition that S
1
and S
2
should be orthogonal is
that ZQ
1
AQ
2
should be 90; by Pythagoras theorem this condition is equivalent to
Q
1
Q
2
2
= Q
1
A
2
+ Q
2
A
2
= r
1
2
+ r
2
2
.......(3)
(g G)
2
+ (f F)
2
= g
2
+ f
2
c + G
2
+ F
2
C
or, on simplification, 2(gG + fF) = c + C. .......(4)
Since, AQ
2
is perpendicular to the radius Q
1
A, the tangent at A to the circle S
1
passes through the
centre of the circle S
2
; similarly, the tangent at A to S
2
passes through the centre of S
1
.
In numerical examples the procedure of solution should be based on the condition expressed by (3).
Q
2
Q
1
r
2 r
1
(-g,-f)
(-G,-F)
A
B
Circle
Note :
The centre of a variable circle orthogonal to two fixed circles lies on the radical axis of two circles.
The centre of a circle which is orthogonal to three given circles is the radical centre provided the
radical centre lies outside all the three circles.
Illustration 10:
If two circles cut a third circle orthogonally, prove that their common chord will pass through the
centre of the third circle.
Solution :
Let us take the equation of the two circles as
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2
1
x + a = 0 ........(1)
x
2
+ y
2
+ 2
2
x + a = 0 .........(2)
We can select axes suitable (the line of centers as x-axis and the point midway between the centre as
origin) to get the above form of equation.
Let the third circle be x
2
+ y
2
+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 .........(3)
The circle (1) and (3) cut orthogonally
2
1
g = a + c ..........(4)
The circles (2) and (3) cut orthogonally
2
2
g = a + c ..........(5)
From (4) and (5), 2g (
1

2
) = 0 but
1
=
2
g = 0
Hence centre of the third circle (0, f)
The common chord of (1) and (2) has the equation S
1
S
2
= 0
i.e. x
2
+ y
2
+ 2
1
x + a (x
2
+ y
2
+ 2
2
x + a) = 0
or 2(
1

2
) x = 0 x = 0
(0, f) satisfies the equation x = 0.
drill Exercise - 15
1. Find the angle of intersection of the circles, x
2
+ y
2
6x + 4y + 11 = 0 and x
2
+ y
2
4x + 6y + 9 = 0.
2. For what value of k the circles x
2
+ y
2
+ 5x + 3y + 7 = 0 and x
2
+ y
2
8x + 6y + k = 0 cut
orthogonally.
3. Find the equation of the circle passing through the origin and cutting the circles x
2
+ y
2
4x + 6y + 10 = 0
and x
2
+ y
2
+ 12y + 6 = 0 at right angles.
4. Prove that the two circles which pass through two points (0, a) and (0, a) and touch the straight line
y = mx + c will cut orthogonally if c
2
= a
2
(2 + m
2
).
5. Two circles are drawn through the point (a, 5a) and (4a, a) to touch the y-axis. Prove that they
intersect at angle tan
1
|
.
|

9
40
.
Circle
ANSWER KEY
DRILL EXERCISE - 1
1. x
2
+ y
2
4x + 6y 46 = 0 2. (x + 3)
2
+ (y 2)
2
= 49
3.
|
.
|

4
5
,
4
3
and
4
10 3
4. (x 1 2x)
2
+ (y 1)
2
= 1
5.
4
3 3
(g
2
+ f
2
c) sq. units
DRILL EXERCISE - 2
1. x
2
+ y
2
+ x 2y 41 = 0 2. x
2
+ y
2
3x 2y = 0
3. x
2
+ y
2
+ 4x 4y + 3 = 0 4. x
2
+ y
2
ax by = 0
5. x
2
+ y
2
+ 2ax + 2py b
2
q
2
= 0 radius =
2 2 2 2
a b p q + + +
DRILL EXERCISE - 3
1. (i) x
2
+ y
2
6x 2y + 9 = 0
(ii) x
2
+ y
2
10y = 0
(iii) x
2
+ y
2
10x 10y + 25 = 0
(iv)
2
2
a
x |
.
|

+
2
2
a
y |
.
|

=
2
2
a
|
.
|

2. (i) x =
2
5
cos u, y =
2
5
sin u
(ii) x =
2
a
+
2
b a
2 2
+
cos u, y =
2
b
+
2
b a
2 2
+
sin u
3. (i) x
2
+ y
2
= 25
(ii) (x + 3)
2
+ (y 4)
2
= 4
4. x
2
+ y
2
6x 8y + 15 = 0
5. x
2
+ y
2
5x y + 4 = 0
Circle
DRILL EXERCISE - 4
1. (i) Interupt on x-axis 6
Interupt on y-axis 2
14
(ii) Interupt on x-axis 8
Interupt on y-axis 0
2. x
2
+ y
2
10x + 6y + 9 = 0
4. x
2
+ y
2
8x 2
21
y + 12 = 0
DRILL EXERCISE - 5
1. 11x 2y 46 = 0 5. 2x + 9y 30 = 0
DRILL EXERCISE - 6
1. y =
3
x 2
3
2. y = 2x 3
5
3. 12x 5y 252 = 0 4. 3x + 4y 25 = 0 and 4x 3y 25 = 0
5. 4x + y 35 = 0 and 3x 4y 20 = 0
DRILL EXERCISE - 7
1. x = 1+ 3cosu, y = 2 + 3sinu where u e , 0, 2t)
2. x =
4
5
+ 2
4
7
cosu, y =
4
7
+ 2
4
7
sinu
3. x =
3
2
+
3
5
cosu, y = 1 +
3
5
sinu 4. x coso + y sino a(1 + coso) = 0
DRILL EXERCISE - 8
1.
26
2. yes 5. (x + 2)
2
+ (y 3)
2
= 4
DRILL EXERCISE - 9
1. 5x 9y + 46 = 0 2.
|
.
|

2 2 2 2
m
nm
,
m
n

4. 2x y 4 = 0 and x 2y + 1 = 0 5. (xa)
2
+ (yb)
2
= a
2
+ b
2
2
Circle
DRILL EXERCISE - 10
1. (a) F (b) T (c) T 2. 10 3. 5, 15
4. 2[(a
2
+ b
2
+ 2ga + 2fb + c)]
1/2
5. (x+g) (x- 2) + (y+ f) (y - 1) = 0
DRILL EXERCISE - 11
1. 31x 35y + 25 = 0 2. 2c
2
= (a b)
2
3. (3, 2) and (x
2
+ y
2
6x 4y 14 = 0) 4. (1, 2)
DRILL EXERCISE - 12
1. x
2
+ y
2
+ 4x 2y 4 = 0 2. 7x
2
+ y
2
10x 10y 12 = 0
3. 5x
2
+ 5y
2
8x 14y 32 = 0
DRILL EXERCISE - 13
1. internally 2.
|
.
|

5
1
,
5
2
5. 12x
2
4y
2
24ax + 9a
2
= 0
DRILL EXERCISE - 14
1. y
5
26
=
24
33 5 21
|
.
|

5
9
x
y + 2 =
48
57 21
(x + 15)
2.
|
.
|

5
4
,
5
2
No direct common tangent
3. (x 5)
2
+ (y 5)
2
= 52 and (x + 3)
2
+ (y + 1)
2
= 52
4. x = 0, 3x + 4y 10 0, y = 4, 4x 3y = 0
DRILL EXERCISE - 15
1. 45 2. 18 3. 2(x
2
+ y
2
) 7x + 2y = 0