Circle properties

Right-angle in semi-circle

sketch

If points $A$, $B$ and $C$ are points on the circumference of the circle and $AC$ is the diameter of the circle, then $\angle ABC = 90^\circ$.


Example

Three points are given by $A(1, 4)$, $B(9, 8)$ and $C(7, 12)$.

(i) Show that angle $ABC$ is $90^\circ$.

Solutions (by gradient)

Solutions (by Pythagoras theorem)

(ii) Hence, find the equation of the circle that passes through the points $A$, $B$ and $C$.

Answer: $ (x - 4)^2 + (y - 8)^2 = 25 $

Solutions

Perpendicular bisector of a chord passes through the centre

sketch

The perpendicular bisector of chord $AB$ will pass through the centre of the circle, $O$.


Example

A circle passes through the points $(2, 3)$ and $(-1, 6)$. Its centre lies on the line $2x + 5y = -1$.

(i) Find the centre of the circle.

Answer: $ (-3, 1) $

Solutions

(ii) Find the equation of the circle.

Answer: $ (x + 3)^2 + (y - 1)^2 = 29 $

Solutions

Example: Use three points on circle to locate centre of circle

A circles passes through the origin and the points $A(1, -1)$ and $B(4, 0)$. Find the coordinates of the centre of the circle.

Answer: $ (2, 1) $

Solutions

Tangent & normal to the circle at a point

Diagram

The tangent to the circle at $P$ (blue line) is perpendicular to the radius $OP$.

The normal to the circle at $P$ (red line) is perpendicular to the tangent and it passes through the centre of the circle.


Example: Form equation of tangent & normal

The equation of a circle is $(x - 1)^2 + (y - 2)^2 = 5$.

(i) Find the equation of the normal to the circle at $P(2, 4)$.

Answer: $ y = 2x $

Solutions

(ii) Find the equation of the tangent to the circle at $P(2, 4)$.

Answer: $ y = -{1 \over 2}x + 5 $

Solutions

Example: Find equation of circle

The line $y = -x + 6$ is tangent to a circle at point $A$. The centre of the circle is $(0, 1)$.

(i) Find the coordinates of point $A$.

Answer: $ A(2.5, 3.5) $

Solutions

(ii) Find the equation of the circle.

Answer: $ x^2 + (y - 1)^2 = 12.5 $

Solutions

Example: x-axis, y-axis, vertical line and horizontal line as tangent to the circle

Find the equation of the following circles:

(i) A circle, $C_1$, with centre $(-3, 2)$ that touches the $x$-axis.

(from think! A Maths Workbook Worksheet 7D)

Answer: $ (x + 3)^2 + (y - 2)^2 = 4 $

Solutions

(ii) A circle, $C_2$, with centre $(-2, 2)$ that touches both the $x$-axis and $y$-axis.

(from A Maths 360 Ex 8.1)

Answer: $ (x + 2)^2 + (y - 2)^2 = 4 $

Solutions

(iii) A circle, $C_3$, such that the positive $x$-axis, negative $y$-axis and the line $x = 12$ are tangents to the circle.

(from A Maths 360 Ex 8.1)

Answer: $ (x - 6)^2 + (y + 6)^2 = 36 $

Solutions


O Level past year questions involving circles and circle properties

Fully worked, step-by-step solutions to these past-year questions (2016 to 2025) are in the O Level A Maths Solutions page.

Year & paper Comments
2022 P2 Question 9 Tangent perpendicular to radius
2021 P2 Question 9 Tangent perpendicular to radius
2020 P1 Question 9 Tangent perpendicular to radius
2019 P2 Question 6 Tangent perpendicular to radius
2018 P2 Question 11 Right-angle in semi-circle
2017 P1 Question 12 Normal to the circle
2016 P2 Question 11 Tangent perpendicular to radius
2015 P2 Question 7 x-axis and y-axis are tangents to the circle
2014 P2 Question 10 Tangent perpendicular to radius
2013 P2 Question 10 Tangent perpendicular to radius
2011 P2 Question 11 Tangent perpendicular to radius


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