Precalculus : Circles

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Precalculus

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Circles

Write the equation for in standard form

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To determine the standard-form equation, we'll have to complete the square for both x and y. It will be really helpful to re-group our terms to do that:

Adding 9 will complete the square for x, since

Adding 16 will complete the square for y, since

Now we just need to simplify. Re-write the left side as two binomials squared, and add the numbers on the right side:

Example Question #21 : Circles

If the center of the circle is  and the radius is 6, what is the equation of the circle in standard form?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Write the equation of the standard form of the circle.

where  is the center of the circle and  is the radius.

Substitute the center and the radius into the equation.

Reduce this equation and leave this in standard form.

Example Question #21 : Circles

Determine the equation of a circle whose center is at  and radius is .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, simply use the formula for a circle as given below.

Thus, our answer is:

 

Example Question #22 : Circles

Determine the equation for a circle in standard form, centered at (3,-4), with radius 2.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Recall that the standard from for the equation of a circle is

where (h, k) is the center, and r is the radius.  We are given the center (3, -4) and radius 2.  Therefore, h = 3, k = -4, and r = 2.  Plugging these vaules into the equation gives us

Example Question #25 : Circles

A circle centered at (6,1) passes through (11,13).  Write an equation for the circle in standard form.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Recall the equation of a circle in standard form:

, where (h, k) is the center and r is the radius.

In this problem, we are given the center, but no radius.  We must use the other piece of information to find the radius.  The second point given is a point on the circle.  The definition of a radius is the distance between the center and any point on the circle.  Therefore, the radius is equal to the distance between (6,1) and (11,13).  Using the distance formula,

Therefore, the radius is 13.  Plugging all the information into the standard form of a circle gives us

 

Example Question #81 : Conic Sections

Find the equation of a circle whose center is at (0,0) and radius is 3.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, simply plug in the given information into the formula for a circle.

Our center is at,

 

and our radius is 3 therefore,

 

Thus,

Example Question #82 : Conic Sections

Find the equation of a circle with its vertex at the origin and a radius of 8.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, simply remember standard form

.

Also, the center at the origin implies the point .

Thus,

Example Question #28 : Circles

Write the equation for a circle with a center at (3,4) and a diameter of 7.

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The general equation for a circle is:

The coordinates of the center of the circle is (h,k) and r is the radius. 

The diameter is twice the radius:

So plugging in the coordinates the circle equations is:

Example Question #83 : Conic Sections

Write the equation for a circle with a center at (-2,4) and a diameter of 12.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The general equation for a circle is:

The coordinates of the center of the circle is (h,k) and r is the radius. 

The diameter is twice the radius:

So plugging in the coordinates the circle equations is:

Example Question #21 : Circles

Write the equation for a circle with a center at (2,3) and a radius of 4.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The general equation for a circle is:

The coordinates of the center of the circle is (h,k) and r is the radius.

So plugging in the coordinates the circle equations is:

 and 

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