2.2 Circles, 2.3 Circles, Find the Equation

Write the Equation of a Circle Given the center and the radius

Example:  Write the equation of a circle in standard form given the center of the circle is (5,7) and the radius of the circle is 6.  Then write the equation in general (expanded) form.

Solution:

The standard form of an equation of a circle is (x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2 where r is the radius and   (h, k) is the center.

The center of our circle is (5, 7).  So h=5 and k=7.

The radius of our circle is 6 so r=6.

Replace h, k and r in standard form of an equation of a circle.

(x-5)^2+(y-7)^2=6^2

Simplify.

(x-5)^2+(y-7)^2=36

The equation of a circle in standard for with center (5,7) and a radius of 6 is (x-5)^2+(y-7)^2=36.

To write the equation in general form we can start with the standard form we just found and multiply each binomial.

(x-5)^2+(y-7)^2=36

(x-5)(x-5)+(y-7)(y-7)=36

x^2-5x-5x+25+y^2-7y-7y+49=36

x^2-10x+25+y^2-14y+49=36

x^2-10x+25+y^2-14y+49-36=36-36

x^2-10x+y^2-14y+38=0

x^2+y^2-10x-14y+38=0

The equation of a circle in general form with center (5,7) and a radius of 6 is x^2+y^2-10x-14y+38=0.