12/24/23, 10:13 PM Circle Equation (Sample Questions)

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Circle Equations Overview

A circle is the set of all points on a plane that are equidistant from a center point. The
radius of a circle is a line segment that has its endpoints on the center and any point on
the circumference of the circle.

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12/24/23, 10:13 PM Circle Equation (Sample Questions)

Take a look at this circle on the coordinate plane:

The circle has a radius of 5 units and its center point is at (0, 0). We can create a right
triangle by drawing a perpendicular line from the point on the circle to the x-axis. Since
this is a Pythagorean Triple, it is easy to see that 42 + 32 = 52 . The table shows some
other points on the circle, which can help us see the pattern, x2 + y
2
= r
2
.

2 2
x y x + y

2 2
4 3 4 + 3 = 25

2 2
0 5 0 + 5 = 25

2 2
5 0 5 + 0 = 25

2 2
−4 3 (−4) + 3 = 25

2 2
−5 0 (−5) + 0 = 25

2 2
−4 −3 (−4) + (−3) = 25

2 2
0 −5 0 + (−5) = 25

2 2
4 −3 4 + (−3) = 25

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12/24/23, 10:13 PM Circle Equation (Sample Questions)

Circle Equations Sample

Questions

This pattern only works if the center of the circle is at (0, 0). Here is a circle that has its
center at (h, k) , which makes the side lengths of the legs x– h and y– k and the
hypotenuse of the triangle the radius of the circle, r. Since we already proved that
x
2
+ y
2
, we can conclude (x– h)2 + (y– k)2 = r2 , we call this the center radius
= r
2

form of the circle equation, because we can easily pick out the center and radius of the
circle when the equation is in this form.

For example, the equation of a circle with center (2, 5) and radius 7 would be written as
(x– 2) (y– 5) 7 .
+ = 2

Another form of the circle equation is called the general form and is written as
ax
2
+ by
2
+ cx + dy + e = 0 .

To change the equation from center radius form to general form, you must expand and
simplify the equation.

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We will use the above example. Write the equation of the circle,
(x– 2)
2
+ (y– 5)
2
= 7
2
, in general form:

2 2 2
(x– 2) + (y– 5) = 7

Write in expanded form:

(x– 2)(x– 2) + (y– 5)(y– 5) = 49

Expand:

2 2
x – 2x– 2x + 4 + y − 5y– 5y + 25– 49 = 0

Combine like terms:

2 2
x + y – 4x– 10y– 20 = 0

To change the equation from general form to center radius form, you have to apply a
method called completing the square.

Write the equation of the circle 2x2 + 2y

2
− 4x − 16y − 38 = 0 in center radius form.

Step 1: Move the constant to the right side of the equation.

2 2
2x + 2y − 4x − 16y = 38

Step 2: Put the terms with x together and the terms with y together.

2 2
2x – 4x + 2y – 16y = 38

Step 3: Divide each term by the leading coefficient.

2 2
x – 2x + y – 8y = 19

Step 4: Rewrite with parentheses and spaces for the third term in the polynomial.

2 2
(x – 2x) + (y – 8y) = 19

Step 5: To complete the square, take the coefficient of x and y , divide it by 2, then
square it to get the third term in the polynomial. Add these numbers to both the left
and the right side of the equation.

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12/24/23, 10:13 PM Circle Equation (Sample Questions)
2 2
(−2 ÷ 2) = 1(−8 ÷ 2) = 16
2 2
(x – 4x + 1) + (y – 6y + 16) = 19 + 1 + 16

Step 6: Simplify by factoring:

2 2
(x– 1) + (y– 4) = 36

Circumference of a Circle Points of a Circle

Circle Equations Sample Questions

Question #1:

Which variables represent the center and radius of a circle in the following
equation?
2 2 2
(x − h) + (y − k) = r

Center=r Radius= (x, y)

Center=(x, y) Radius=2r

Center=(h, k) Radius=r

Center=(k, h) Radius=2r

Show Answer

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12/24/23, 10:13 PM Circle Equation (Sample Questions)

Question #2:

Is the following equation in general form or center radius form?

2 2
x − 6x + y + 8y + 5 = 0

General form

Center radius form

Show Answer

Question #3:

Write the following equation in general form:

2 2 2
(x − 8) + (y − (−2)) = 5

2 2
x + y − 16x + 3y = 25

2 2
x + y − 20x + 43 = 0

2 2
x + y − 16x + 4y = 25

2 2
x + y − 16x + 4y + 43 = 0

Show Answer

Question #4:

Write the equation of a circle with a center point at (4, 8) and a radius of 12. Write
the equation in center radius form.

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12/24/23, 10:13 PM Circle Equation (Sample Questions)

(x − 4) + (y − 8) = 144

2 2
(x − 4) + (y − 8) = 144

(x − 8) + (y − 4) = 12

2 2
(x + 4) + (y + 8) = 144

Show Answer

Question #5:

Complete the square to find the center and radius of the circle having the following
equation:

2 2
x + y − 8x + 4y + 11 = 0

Center (−4, 2) Radius = 3

Center (4, −2) Radius = 3

Center (4, 3) Radius = 9

Center (4, 2) Radius = 9

Show Answer

← Return to Math Sample Questions

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by Mometrix Test Preparation | This Page Last Updated: September 19, 2023

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