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Understanding Circles in Mathematics

Dec 16, 2024

Lecture on Circles

Introduction

  • Overview of topics: Definition of a circle to orthogonality.
  • Preparation for the next lecture on parabolas.

Definition of a Circle

  • Locus Definition: A circle is defined as the locus of a point which moves in a plane such that its distance from a fixed point (the center) always remains constant.
  • Key Terms:
    • Center: Fixed point in the plane.
    • Radius: Fixed distance from the center.

Equation of a Circle

  1. Circle centered at (0,0):
    • Equation: ( x^2 + y^2 = r^2 )
  2. Circle centered at (h,k):
    • Equation: ( (x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2 )
  3. General Equation of Circle:
    • Form: ( x^2 + y^2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 )
    • Center: ( (-g, -f) )
    • Radius: ( \sqrt{g^2 + f^2 - c} )

Nature of Circles

  • Real Circle: ( g^2 + f^2 - c > 0 )
  • Point Circle: ( g^2 + f^2 - c = 0 )
  • Imaginary Circle: ( g^2 + f^2 - c < 0 )

Intercepts of a Circle

  • X-Intercept: ( \sqrt{g^2 - c} )
  • Y-Intercept: ( \sqrt{f^2 - c} )
  • Conditions:
    • If ( g^2 - c > 0 ): Two real intercepts.
    • If ( g^2 - c = 0 ): Circle touches the axis.
    • If ( g^2 - c < 0 ): No intercepts.

Tangents and Normals

  • Tangent Definition: Line that touches the circle at one point.
  • Normal Definition: Line perpendicular to the tangent at the point of tangency.
  • Key Information:
    • Normal passes through the center of the circle.
    • Conditions to find relationships between a line and a circle:
      • Find the length of the perpendicular from the center to the line.

Common Tangents of Circles

  1. Types:
    • Direct Common Tangent (DCT)
    • Transverse Common Tangent (TCT)
  2. Determinations:
    • If centers are on the same side of the tangent, it's DCT.
    • If centers are on opposite sides, it's TCT.
  3. Length of Common Tangents:
    • DCT: ( \sqrt{d^2 - (r_1 - r_2)^2} )
    • TCT: ( \sqrt{d^2 - (r_1 + r_2)^2} )

Orthogonality of Circles

  • Condition for Orthogonality: Two circles are orthogonal if ( g_1 g_2 + f_1 f_2 = c_1 + c_2 ).

Radical Axis and Radical Center

  • Radical Axis: Locus of points that have equal power with respect to two circles.
  • Radical Center: Point where the radical axes of three circles intersect.

Conclusion

  • Review of radical axis properties and applications in finding orthogonal circles.
  • Encouragement to complete notes and prepare for the next session.