Module 1

Circles
An Introduction
Circles
At the end of this chapter, the students are expected to
1. define circle as a conic section;
2. determine the standard form and general form of equation
of a circle;
3. transform the standard form of equation into general form,
and vice versa;
4. graph circles in a rectangular coordinate system; and
5. solve situational problems involving circles.
A double-napped cone is the
image of two cones which are
placed “nose to nose” with one
cone balanced perfectly on the
other.
Conic sections are described as the curves which can be
derived from taking slices of a “double-napped” cone. It can
also be described as the intersection of a plane and a
double-napped cone.
 Circles
General and Standard
Equations of a Circle
Circle is a set of all points on a
plane that are equidistant from a
given fixed point. The fixed point
is called the center of the circle,
and the distance from the center
to any point of the circle is called
its radius.
General Form:
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0,
where 𝐷, 𝐸, and 𝐹 are constants.

Standard Form or Center-Radius Form:

𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟2,
where the coordinates of the center are represented by
(ℎ, 𝑘) and the radius is the value of 𝑟.
Here are the steps to transform the equation of a circle from general to
standard form or center-radius form.
1. Group the terms with the same variable.
2. Move the constant term to the right side of the equation.
3. Create two perfect square trinomials by completing the square method.
Whatever terms that were added to the left side, add them also to the
right side of the equation.
4. Simplify both sides of the equation.
5. Transform the perfect square trinomials into square of binomials 𝑎2 ±
2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 → 𝑎 ± 𝑏 2 to make the equation in the center-radius form.
Transform the equation 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟏𝟏 = 𝟎.
Step 1: Group the terms with same variables.
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 11 = 0
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 − 11 = 0
Step 2: Move the constant terms to the right side of the
equation.
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 − 11 = 0
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 = 11
Step 3: Create two perfect square trinomials by applying the
method of completing the squares. Whatever terms you add
to the left side, add them also to the right side to keep the
equation true.
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 = 11
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 1 = 11 + 4 + 1
Step 4: Simplify both sides of the equation.
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 1 = 16

Step 5: Express the perfect square trinomials as Square of

Binomials to make the equation in the center-radius form.
𝒙 + 𝟐 𝟐 + 𝒚 − 𝟏 𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔
Transform 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒚𝟐 − 𝟑𝟎𝒙 − 𝟑𝟔𝒚 − 𝟗 = 𝟎 to center-radius
form.
*We must first follow the general form where the numerical
coefficient of 𝑥 2 and 𝑦 2 must be equal to 1.

Step 1: Follow the general form of equation by dividing each

term by 3.
3𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 − 30𝑥 − 36𝑦 − 9 = 0
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 10𝑥 − 12𝑦 − 3 = 0
Step 2: Group the terms with the same variable.
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 12𝑦 − 3 = 0

Step 3: Move the constant term to the right side of the

equation.
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 12𝑦 = 3
Step 4: Create two perfect square trinomials by applying the
method of completing the squares. Whatever term you add to
the left side, add them also to the right side to keep the
equation true.
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25 + 𝑦 2 − 12𝑦 + 36 = 3 + 25 + 36

Step 5: Simplify both sides of the equation.

𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25 + 𝑦 2 − 12𝑦 + 36 = 64
Step 6: Express the perfect square trinomials as Square of
Binomials to make the equation in the center-radius form.
𝒙 − 𝟓 𝟐 + 𝒚 − 𝟔 𝟐 = 𝟔𝟒
Here are the steps to transform the equation of a circle
from standard to general form.
1. Square the two binomials.
2. Place all terms to the left side of the equation.
3. Simplify the equation by combining all like terms.
4. Follow the general form: 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0.
Transform 𝒙 + 𝟐 𝟐 + 𝒚 − 𝟏 𝟐 = 𝟏 to general form.
Step 1: Square the two binomials.
𝑥+2 2+ 𝑦−1 2 =1
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 1 = 1
Step 2: Place all terms to the left side of the equation.
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 1 − 1 = 0
Step 3: Simplify the equation by combining like terms.
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 4 + 1 − 1 = 0
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 4 = 0
Step 4: Follow the general form 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 + 𝟒 = 𝟎
Transform 𝒚 − 𝟏 𝟐 + 𝒙 + 𝟓 𝟐 = 𝟏 to general form.
Step 1: Square the two binomials.
𝑦−1 2+ 𝑥+5 2 =1
𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 1 + 𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 25 = 1
Step 2: Place all terms to the left side of the equation.
𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 1 + 𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 25 − 1 = 0
Step 3: Simplify the equation by combining all like terms.
𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 1 + 𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 25 − 1 = 0
𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 25 = 0
Step 4: Follow the general form 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0.
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 + 𝟐𝟓 = 𝟎
 Circles
Sketching the Graph of a
Circle in a Rectangular
Coordinate System
To sketch the graph of a circle given its equation, we need to
write the equation in standard form 𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟 2
in order to determine the center and radius of the circle.

Steps:
1. Write the given equation in standard form.
2. Determine the center and radius of the circle.
3. Graph the circle on the Cartesian Plane.
Sketch the graph of Circle S whose equation is
𝒙 − 𝟑 𝟐 + 𝒚 − 𝟓 𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔.
Step 1: Determine the center and radius of the circle.
𝑥 − 3 2 + 𝑦 − 5 2 = 16
ℎ = 3, 𝑘 = 5, 𝑟 2 = 16
𝑟 = 16
𝑟 = 4 units
Thus, the center of the circle is at (𝟑, 𝟓) and the radius is
𝟒 units.
Step 2: Graph the
circle on the
Cartesian Plane.

Graph of Circle S
showing its center at
S(3, 5). All points on
the circle are 4 units
far from point S.
Sketch the graph of a circle whose equation is
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟏𝟏 = 𝟎.
Step 1: Write the given equation in standard form.
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 11 = 0
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 = 11
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 1 = 11 + 4 + 1
𝑥 + 2 2 + 𝑦 − 1 2 = 16
Step 2: Determine the center and radius of the circle.
𝑥 + 2 2 + 𝑦 − 1 2 = 16

Therefore, the center of the given circle is at (−2, 1) and its

radius is 4 units long.
Step 3: Graph the circle
on the Cartesian plane.

Graph of a circle
showing its center at
S(−2, 1). All the points
on the circle are 4 units
far from the center.
 Circles
Finding Equations of Circle,
Given Certain Conditions
1. The basic requirements in writing the equation of a
circle are the following:
• Coordinates of its center (ℎ, 𝑘)
• Length of its radius (𝑟)
2. Given the center and the radius of the circle, it is
easier to write its equation using the standard form. In
case that the required form of equation is in general,
first express the equation in standard form; then,
change it to general form.
3. With some conditions where the radius is not
given, remember the following:
• If the diameter is given, then remember that radius is half of the
diameter; therefore divide the length of the diameter into two to derive
the length of the radius.
𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 1
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = or 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟
2 2
• If the center is given, together with another point that lies on the circle,
use the distance formula to find the length of the radius.
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = 𝑥1 − 𝑥2 2 + 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 2
Find the equation of a circle in standard from whose center
is at −𝟒, 𝟓 and has a radius of 𝟏𝟑 units.

Step 1: Identify the given information.

The center is at −4, 5 . Thus, ℎ = −4 and 𝑘 = 5. The radius is 13
units. Thus, 𝑟 = 13.

Step 2: Determine what is asked.

We are asked to find the equation of the circle in standard form.
Therefore, we shall use the form 𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟 2
Step 3: Substitute the given information in the standard form
of equation of the circle.
𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟2
2
𝑥 − −4 + 𝑦 − 5 2 = 132
Step 4: Express the equation in its simplest form.
𝑥 + 4 2 + 𝑦 − 5 2 = 132
𝒙 + 𝟒 𝟐 + 𝒚 − 𝟓 𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝟗
Find the equation of ta circle in general form is at (−𝟑, −𝟐) and has a
radius of 𝟑 𝟓 units.

Step 1: Identify the given information.

The center is at (−3, −2). Thus ℎ = −3 and 𝑘 = −2. The radius is 3 5 units.
Thus, 𝑟 = 3 5.

Step 2: Determine what is asked.

We are asked to find the equation of a circle in general form. We must find
first the equation in standard form, and transform it to general form.
Step 3: The equation in standard form is computed as
follows:
𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟2
2 2 2
𝑥 − −3 + 𝑦 − −2 = 3 5
Step 4: Express the equation in its simplest form.
2
2 2
𝑥+3 + 𝑦+2 = 3 5
𝑥 + 3 2 + 𝑦 + 2 2 = 45
Step 5: Change the standard form to general form by
expanding the binomials and simplifying the equation.
𝑥 + 3 2 + 𝑦 + 2 2 = 45
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 + 𝑦 2 + 4𝑦 + 4 = 45
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 + 𝑦 2 + 4𝑦 + 4 − 45 = 0
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 9 + 4 − 45 = 0
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟒𝒚 − 𝟑𝟐 = 𝟎
Write the equation of Circle S in standard form whose
center is at the origin and has a diameter of 𝟏𝟒 units.

Step 1: Identify the given information.

The center is at the origin. Thus ℎ = 0 and 𝑘 = 0. The
diameter is 14 units. Thus, 𝑑 = 14.

Step 2: Determine what is asked.

We are asked to find the equation of a circle in standard
form.
Step 3: Use the given information by inputting the data in the
required form of equation.
𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟2
2
2 2
𝑑
𝑥−0 + 𝑦−0 =
2
2
2 2
14
𝑥−0 + 𝑦−0 =
2
Step 4: Express the equation in its simplest form, if possible.
𝑥−0 2+ 𝑦−0 2 = 7 2
𝑥 − 0 2 + 𝑦 − 0 2 = 49
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟒𝟗
Write the equation of Circle P in standard form whose
center is at the origin and passes through the point
(𝟒, 𝟑).

Step 1: Identify the given information.

The center is at the origin. Thus 𝑥1 = 0, 𝑦1 = 0.
A point on the circle is located at (4, 3). Thus, 𝑥2 = 4, 𝑦2 = 3.
Step 2: Determine what is asked.
We are asked to find the equation of a circle in standard form. Therefore, we
shall use the form 𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟 2 .

Step 3: Solve for the radius of the circle, using the distance formula.
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = 𝑥1 − 𝑥2 2 + 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 2
𝑟 = 0−4 2+ 0−3 2
𝑟 = −4 2 + −3 2
𝑟 = 16 + 9
𝑟 = 25
𝑟=5
Step 4: Use the given information by inputting the data in the
required form of equation.
𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟2
𝑥−0 2+ 𝑦−0 2 = 5 2
Step 5: Express the equation in its simplest form, if possible.
𝑥−0 2+ 𝑦−0 2 = 5 2
𝑥 − 0 2 + 𝑦 − 0 2 = 25
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟐𝟓
 Circles
Applied Problems Involving
Circles
To solve a problem that involves circles, it will be helpful to
apply RIGSS.
R – ead, analyse, and visualize the situation.
I – dentify the problem.
G – ather relevant information.
S – olve for the problem using the given information by
recalling the equations, parts, and properties of a circle.
S – implify the answer, and label it with correct units.
Located in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila, the Manila
American Cemetery has the largest number of graves for
U.S. personnel who were killed during World War II. Its
structure is circular and has a land area of about 650,000
square meters.

Suppose that a tree was planted exactly at the center of

the cemetery, serving as the landmark for the center.
Assuming that the center of the cemetery is at (𝟎, 𝟎) and
the gate is located at (−𝟐𝟖𝟑, 𝟑𝟓𝟔)…
1. approximately how
far does a visitor
need to travel from
its gate to the
center?
2. what is the equation
of the circle in
standard form?
The tree is at the center (0, 0) and the gate is along the surface of the circle (−283, 356).
The distance between the two points (center of the cemetery and the gate) can be
determined by using the equation
𝑟 2 = 𝑥1 − 𝑥2 2 + 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 2
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = 𝑥1 − 𝑥2 2 + 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 2
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = 0 + 283 2 + 0 − 356 2
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = 283 2 + −356 2
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = 80,089 + 126,736
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = 206,825
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 ≈ 454.78
Therefore, a visitor needs to travel an approximate distance of 𝟒𝟓𝟒. 𝟕𝟖 meters from
the gate of the Manila American Cemetry to its center.
The equation of the circle in standard form can be obtained
using the information that the square of tis radius is about
206, 825 and the assumption that its center is at the origin.

Thus, its equation in standard form can be written as

𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟐𝟎𝟔, 𝟖𝟐𝟓
Consider the illustration. A
circular driveway is bounded by
two circles. The illustration
indicates that the radius of the
larger circle is 𝟔𝟎 feet, and the
radius of the smaller circle is 𝟒𝟑
feet.
Use the coordinate system
shown to write the general form
of equation of the
1. larger circle
2. smaller circle
Assuming that the center is located at (0, 0), then ℎ = 0 and
𝑘 = 0. Thus, to write the equation of the larger circle, the
length of its radius must be considered. Given that 𝑟 = 60,
then
𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟2
𝑥 − 0 2 + 𝑦 − 0 2 = 602
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 3600
Therefore, the general form of equation of the larger
circle is 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 = 𝟎.
To write the equation of the smaller circle, the length of its
radius must be considered. Given that 𝑟 = 43, then
𝑥 − ℎ 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑟2
𝑥 − 0 2 + 𝑦 − 0 2 = 432
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1849
Therefore, the general form of equation of the smaller
circle is 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟏𝟖𝟒𝟗 = 𝟎.
The equation 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝟎
represents the circle formed by
the inner lane of a circular
running track where all
measurements are expressed
in foot measure. If an athlete
needs to run around the track’s
middle lane thrice, then
approximately how many feet
does he cover?
With this problem, the only given data about the circle is its
equation and its unit of measurement expressed in foot
measure. Analyzing the situation, the athlete will run around
the track three times, therefore we shall solve for the distance
travelled after running thrice around the track.
Step 1: Solve for the radius of the track.

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4,000
𝑟 2 = 4,000
𝑟 = 4,000
𝑟 = 63.25
Step 2: Using the measurement of the radius, compute for
the circumference or the distance around the track.
𝐶𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 2𝜋𝑟
𝐶 = 2𝜋𝑟
𝐶 = 2 3.14 63.25
𝐶 = 397.21
This means that one complete round of the track is 397.21
feet.
Step 3: Multiply the circumference by three.
Since the athlete shall run around the track thrice, then the
track’s circumference must be multiplied by three.
3𝐶 = 3(397.21) feet
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 1,191.63 feet
Thus, the athlete will cover 𝟏, 𝟏𝟗𝟏. 𝟔𝟑 feet after running
around the track thrice.
Anastacio, T. M., Caralejo, A. J., Gatmaitan, J. M.,
Tamayo, J. S., & Villareal, M. J. (2017). Pre-Calculus.
Quezon City: Brilliant Creations Publishing, Inc.