🔵

Circle Equations and Properties

Jun 10, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers the concept of circles as a conic section, explains the standard equation of a circle, and demonstrates how to write the equation for circles with various centers and radii.

Conic Sections Overview

  • A conic section is formed by the intersection of a plane and a cone.
  • The angle of the intersecting plane creates different conic sections; the focus here is on circles.

Definition and Properties of a Circle

  • A circle is the set of all points on a plane equidistant from a fixed point called the center.
  • The constant distance from the center to any point on the circle is the radius.

Standard Equation of a Circle

  • The standard form of a circle's equation: ((x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2)
    • ( (h, k) ) is the center
    • ( r ) is the radius

Examples of Writing Circle Equations

  • Center at origin (0, 0) with radius 5: (x^2 + y^2 = 25)
  • Center at (0, 3), radius 6: (x^2 + (y - 3)^2 = 36)
  • Center at (2, -5), radius 10: ((x - 2)^2 + (y + 5)^2 = 100)
  • Center at (1, 5), radius (\sqrt{17}): ((x - 1)^2 + (y - 5)^2 = 17)
  • Center at (0, 0), radius 8: (x^2 + y^2 = 64)
  • Center at (0, 0), radius (\sqrt{19}): (x^2 + y^2 = 19)
  • Center at (0, 2), radius 7: (x^2 + (y - 2)^2 = 49)
  • Center at (-7, 5), radius (2\sqrt{14}): ((x + 7)^2 + (y - 5)^2 = 56)

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Conic Section — A curve formed by the intersection of a plane and a cone.
  • Circle — Set of all points in a plane at a constant distance from a center.
  • Center (h, k) — The fixed point from which every point on the circle is equidistant.
  • Radius (r) — The constant distance from the center to any point on the circle.
  • Standard Form — The equation ((x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2).

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Practice writing the equation of a circle given different centers and radii.
  • Review the standard form and practice identifying center and radius from given equations.