GCE A Level Maths 9709

SMIYL
April 2023

1.3 Coordinate Geometry

In this topic we will learn how to:

• understand that the equation, (x − a)2 + (y − b)2 = r2 represents the circle

with centre (a, b) and radius r
• use the expanded form x2 + y 2 + 2gx + 2f y + c = 0
• use algebraic methods to solve problems involving lines and circles

Note: Knowledge of geometrical properties of a circle, such as circle

theorems, is assumed.

Equation of a Circle

The equation of a circle is written in the form,

(x − a)2 + (y − b)2 = r2

Where (a, b) represents the coordinates of the centre of the circle, and
r represents the radius.

The equation of a circle can also be written as the expanded form,

x2 + y 2 + 2gx + 2f y + c = 0

Where g, f and c are constants.

To get from the expanded form to the generic form, we complete the
square. See example number 1 below.

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Let’s look at some past paper questions.
1. The equation of the circle with centre C is x2 + y 2 − 8x + 4y − 5 = 0
(9709/12/M/J/20 number 11)
(a) Find the radius of the circle and coordinates of C.
x2 + y 2 − 8x + 4y − 5 = 0

We have been given the expanded equation of the circle.

We must complete the square to get to the generic form.

Start by putting terms in x together and terms in y together,

x2 − 8x + y 2 + 4y − 5 = 0

Take any constants to the right-hand side,

x2 − 8x + y 2 + 4y = 5

Put one set of brackets on the terms in x and one set on the
terms in y,
(x2 − 8x) + (y 2 + 4y) = 5

Complete the square for both the brackets, separately,

(x − 4)2 − 16 + (y + 2)2 − 4 = 5

Move all constants to the right-hand side,

(x − 4)2 + (y + 2)2 = 5 + 4 + 16

Simplify,
(x − 4)2 + (y + 2)2 = 25
(x − 4)2 + (y − (−2))2 = 25

Now that we have the generic equation of the circle, we can

read of the coordinates of C,
C(4, −2)

Let’s calculate the radius,

r2 = 25
√ √
r2 = 25
r=5

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 Therefore, the final answer is,

C(4, −2)asdf r = 5

(b) The point P (1, 2) lies on the circle. Show that the equation of the
tangent to the circle at P is 4y = 3x + 5.

Let’s sketch a diagram of the problem,

tangent
y

P (1, 2)

C(4, −2)

To find the equation of the tangent, we need to find its

gradient first. The tangent is perpendicular to CP , so let’s
find the gradient of CP ,
2+2
gradient of CP =
1−4
4
gradient of CP = −
3

Since CP is perpendicular to the tangent,

m1 × m2 = −1
4
− × m2 = −1
3
3
m2 =
4

3
 Therefore, the gradient of the tangent is,
3
4

Now let’s find the equation of the tangent, and remember

that the tangent passes through P ,
3
m= asdf P (1, 2)
4
y = mx + c
3
2= (1) + c
4
3
2= +c
4
3
c=2−
4
5
c=
4
3 5
y = x+
4 4

Multiply through by 4,

4y = 3x + 5

Therefore, the final answer is,

4y = 3x + 5

2. The coordinates of two points A and B are (−7, 3) and (5, 11) respectively.
The perpendicular bisector of AB has the equation 3x + 2y = 11. A circle
passes through A and B and its center lies on the line 12x − 5y = 70. Find
an equation of the circle. (9709/13/M/J/20 number 10)

Let’s sketch a diagram of the problem,

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 perpendicular bisector
y
B(5, 11) 12x − 5y = 70

A(−7, 3)
x
C

The perpendicular bisector and the line 12x − 5y = 70, intersect

at the center of the circle, C. So let’s solve simultaneously to
find the coordinates of C,

3x + 2y = 11asdf asdf 12x − 5y = 70

2y = 11 − 3x
11 − 3x
y=
2

12x − 5y = 70
 
11 − 3x
12x − 5 = 70
2
55 15
12x − + x = 70
2 2
39 55
x− = 70
2 2
39 55
x = 70 +
2 2
39 195
x=
2 2
x=5

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 11 − 3x
y=
2
11 − 3(5)
y=
2
y = −2

Therefore, the coordinates of the center are,

C(5, −2)

Now let’s find the radius. Since B lies on the circle, the distance
from C to B is equal to the radius,

B(5, 11)asdf asdf C(5, −2)

p
r = (5 − 5)2 + (−2 − 11)2
r = 13

Therefore, the equation of the circle is,

(x − 5)2 + (y − (−2))2 = 132

(x − 5)2 + (y + 2)2 = 169

Therefore, the final answer is,

(x − 5)2 + (y + 2)2 = 169

3. A circle has center at the point B(5, 1). The point A(−1, −2) lies on the
circle. Find the equation of the circle. (9709/12/O/N/20 number 9)

We already have the center, so we need to find the radius. The

distance from the center, B, to the point A is equal to the radius,

B(5, 1)asdf asdf A(−1, −2)

p
r = (5 + 2)2 + (1 + 2)2
√
r=3 5

Therefore, the equation of the circle is,

√
(x − 5)2 + (y − 1)2 = (3 5)2

(x − 5)2 + (y − 1)2 = 45

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 Therefore, the final answer is,

(x − 5)2 + (y − 1)2 = 45

4. A circle with center C has equation (x−8)2 +(y−4)2 = 100. (9709/13/O/N/20

number 11)

(a) Show that the point T (−6, 6) is outside the circle.

(x − 8)2 + (y − 4)2 = 100

Substitute the coordinates of point T into the equation of

the circle,
(x − 8)2 + (y − 4)2
(−6 − 8)2 + (6 − 4)2
104
2
r = 104
√
r = 2 26
r = 10.2
√
The radius of our circle is 100, which is 10, since the line
from the center to T is larger than our radius T lies outside
the circle,
10.2 > 10

Therefore, the final answer is,

10.2 > 10 hence T (−6, 6) lies outside the circle

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 Two tangents from T to the circle are drawn.
(b) Show that the angle between one of the tangents and CT is exactly
45◦ .

Let’s sketch a diagram of the problem,

y

10
T (−6, 6)
√ C(8, 4)
10 2
x

Let’s start by finding the length of CT ,

C(8, 4)asdf asdf T (−6, 6)
p
CT = (8 + 6)2 + (4 − 6)2
√
CT = 10 2

Let’s use Pythagoras to find the angle θ,

10
cos θ = √
10 2
 
10
θ = cos−1 √
10 2
θ = 45◦

Therefore, the final answer is,

θ = 45◦

The two tangents touch the circle at A and B.

(c) Find the equation of the line AB, giving your answer in the form
y = mx + c.

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Let’s sketch a diagram of the problem,

T (−6, 6)
C(8, 4)

Line AB is perpendicular to CT , so let’s find the gradient of

CT ,
C(8, 4)asdf asdf T (−6, 6)
6−4
gradient of CT =
−6 − 8
1
gradient of CT = −
7

Since AB is perpendicular to CT ,

m1 × m2 = −1
1
− × m2 = −1
7
m2 = 7

Therefore, the gradient of AB is,

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 The midpoint of CT lies on the line AB, so let’s find M ,
 
8−6 4+6
M= ,
2 2

M = (1, 5)

Therefore, the line AB passes through,

M (1, 5)

Now let’s find the equation of the line AB,

m = 7asdf asdf M (1, 5)

y = mx + c
5 = 7(1) + c
5=7+c
c=5−7
c = −2

y = 7x − 2

Therefore, the final answer is,

y = 7x − 2

(d) Find the x-coordinates of A and B.

A and B are the points of intersection of the line AB and

the circle. Therefore, we will solve simultaneously,

y = 7x − 2asdf asdf (x − 8)2 + (y − 4)2 = 100

Substitute y = 7x − 2 into the equation of the circle,

(x − 8)2 + (y − 4)2 = 100

(x − 8)2 + (7x − 2 − 4)2 = 100

(x − 8)2 + (7x − 6)2 = 100

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Expand the quadratics,

x2 − 16x + 64 + 49x2 − 84x + 36 = 100

Put all the terms on one side,

x2 + 49x2 − 16x − 84x + 64 + 36 − 100 = 0

Solve the quadratic equation,

50x2 − 100x = 0

50x(x − 2) = 0
x = 0asdf asdf x = 2

Therefore, the x-coordinates of A and B are,

x = 0asdf asdf x = 2

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