HOW TO GRAPH CIRCLES

In this section, we are going you to see how to graph a circle on the xy-plane when its equation is given. To graph a circle on the xy-plane, we need to know its center and radius. So, we have to find the center and radius from the equation of the circle given. 

Equation of a circle in standard form with center (0, 0) :

x2 + y2  = r2

Equation of a circle in standard form with center (h, k) :

(x - h)2 + (y - k)2  = r2

Equation of a circle in general form :

x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0

center = (-g, -f)

radius = √(g2 + f2 - c)

Graph the circles whose equations are given :

Example 1 :

x+ y2 = 16

Solution :

The the given equation is in the form of

x2 + y2 = r2.

Center of the circle is (0, 0). 

r2 = 16

r = √16

radius = 4 units

Example 2 :

(x - 2)+ (y + 3)2 = 16

Solution :

The the given equation of the circle is in the form of

(x - h)+ (y - k)2 = r2 ----(1)

Center of the circle is (h, k) and radius is r.

(x - 2)+ (y + 3)2 = 16

(x - 2)+ (y - (-3))2 = 4----(2)

Comparing (1) and (2),

center (h, k) = (2, -3)

r2 = 42

r = 4

radius = 4 units

Example 3 :

x+ y2 - 2x - 6y + 1 = 0

Solution :

The equation of the  given circle is in general form

x+ y2+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 ----(1)

center = (-g, -f)

radius = √(g2 + f2 - c)

x+ y2 - 2x - 6y + 1 = 0 ----(2)

Comparing (1) and (2),

2g = -2 ----> g = -1 ----> -g = 1

2f = -6 ----> f = -3 ----> -f = 3

center (-g, -f) = (1, 3)

radius = √(g2 + f2 - c)

= √(12 + 32 - 1)

= √(1 + 9 - 1)

= √9

r = 3 units

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