Tangents To Circles [Link].

com
Introduction Medium Examples Continued Harder Examples – With Intersections
Tangent lines and just straight lines. Make sure your straight-line graphs knowledge is good and this topic will be easy! Intersections + Finding Circle Equation Intersections
P is a point on a circle with centre (0,0) The straight line L has equa-on 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5 GCSE Nov 2017 Paper 3H Q19
The coordinates of P are (8, −10) C is a circle with centre the origin and radius 6
Tips: The line L is the tangent to the circle at the point P L and C intersect at the point A and B Prove algebraically that the straight line with equation 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 10 is
• Draw everything out L crosses the 𝑥 axis at the point Q and crosses the 𝑦 axis at the point R [Link] the coordinates of A and B tangent to the circle with equation 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 20
Work out the length of RQ [Link] the equa-on of the tangent to the circle at B
Give your answer to 3 significant figures 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 10 can be written as 𝑥 = 2𝑦 + 10
#&)#) $
Gradient of radius = =− 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 36 Substitute this expression for 𝑥 into the equation of the circle 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 20
"#) '
i.
A tangent touches a circle at Perpendicular tangent gradient is
$
'
𝑦 = −2𝑥 + 5
4
one point only and meets 𝑦 = 𝑥+𝑐
5 𝑥 ! + (−2𝑥 + 5)! = 36
The point (8, −10) lies on the tangent
the circle at a right angle 4
𝑥 ! + 4𝑥 ! − 20𝑥 + 25 = 36
−10 = (8) + 𝑐 5𝑥 ! − 20𝑥 − 11 = 0
(circle theorem) 5
32
10 ± √155
𝑥=
−10 = +𝑐 5
5 𝑥 = 4.49, −0.49
82
𝑐=−
5
Find the corresponding 𝑦’s
4 82 When 𝑥 = 4.49:
𝑦= 𝑥− (2𝑦 + 10)! + 𝑦 ! = 20
5 5 𝑦 = −2(4.49) + 5 = −3.98
4𝑦 ! + 40𝑦 + 100 + 𝑦 ! = 20
5𝑦 ! + 40𝑦 + 80 = 0
When crosses the y axis, 𝑥 = 0 When 𝑥 = −0.49:
• Plug in points to find unknowns (make sure you plug them into the correct equation) 𝑦 ! + 8𝑦 + 16 = 0
4 82 (𝑦 + 4)(𝑦 + 4) = 0
𝑦 = (0) −
• Find areas (it is so important to have a diagram for this and locate the base and height) 5 5 𝑦 = −2(−0.49) + 5 = 5.98 𝑦 = −4
"! "!
• Know the equation of a circle 𝑦 = − hence 𝑄 _0, − `
$ $
𝐴(4.49, −3.98)
Find 𝑥 by substituting 𝑦 value into 𝑥 = 2𝑦 + 10
𝑥 = 2(−4) + 10 = 2
𝐵(−0.49, 5.98)
When crosses the x axis, 𝑦 = 0
4 82 There is only one pair of solutions, so only one point of intersection, hence
0= (𝑥) − 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 10 is a tangent to the circle
5 5
4 82
𝑥=
5 5
Hardest Examples – With Other Topics
'& '&
𝑥= hence 𝑅 _ , 0`
! !
'& ! "! !
Length = 𝑅𝑄 = b_ ` + _ ` = 26.3 Finding The Circle Equa2on
! $
GCSE Nov 2020 Paper 2H Q22

Somewhat Challenging Examples - Finding Areas 𝑪 is a circle with centre the origin.
A tangent to 𝑪 passes through the points (−20,0) and (0,10)
Work out the equa-on of C.
Easy Example - Finding The Tangent Equation Only GCSE Edexcel Specimen Set 2 Paper 1H Q22

The line 𝑙 is a tangent to the circle 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 40 at the point A.

Find the equation of the tangent to the circle at (3,8) whose centre is (2,5). Give GCSE AQA June 2018 Paper 3H Q28
A is the point (2,6)
Need the pink point to work out the
your answer in the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
P is a point on the circle with equation 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 80
The line 𝑙 crosses the x axis at the point P. Work out the area of triangle OAP radius in order to find circle the
equation.

We need the radius and tangent

equation first to find the pink point

Find the gradient of the tangent

Gradient of OA is
(#)
=3 10 − 0 1
!#) 𝑚= =
& 0 − −20 2
Tangent AP is perpendicular to OA: Gradient of AP = − We can find the gradient of the normal by using the rule
%
Use this to find the equation of the tangent to the circle by substituting point A(2, 6) into the equation of a line
P has 𝑥 coordinate 4 and is below the 𝑥 axis 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 The radius is perpendicular hence equation of the radius is 𝑦 = −2𝑥 because the centre is at the origin hence no y intercept
Work out the equation of the tangent to the circle at P giving your answer in the form 1
6 = − (2) + 𝑐
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0, where a, b and c are integers. 3 We already know the gradient of the tangent, and that it passes through a 𝑦 intercept of (0,10)
2 &
First of all let’s draw all the information in 6=− +𝑐 The equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 10
!
3
20
𝑐= We have 2 equations and can substitute (1) into (2): to find 𝑥 and 𝑦
Key: 3
So the equation of the tangent at A is 𝑦 = − 𝑥 +
& !) 𝑦 = −2𝑥 (1)
• Circle % % 1
• Centre point P is the 𝑥 intercept of this line so sub in 𝑦 = 0 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 10 (2)
2
• Radius 1 20 1
0=− 𝑥+ −2𝑥 = 𝑥 + 10
• Point on Circle 3 3 2
• Tangent 𝑥 = 20 𝑥 = −4
• Circle meets a tangent at 90° P(20, 0) 𝑦 = −2(−4) = 8
A
Hence the coordinates of where the tangent and radius meet are (−4, 8)
a tangent meets a radius at 90° Find the 𝑦 coordinate of P by substituting 𝑥 = 4 into the equation of the circle The centre of the circle is (0, 0) so the equation of C takes the form 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 𝑟 !
4! + 𝑦 ! = 80 6
we can find the gradient of the radius =
"#$ %
= =3 𝑦 ! = 80 − 16 O Find the radius
%#! &
𝑦 = √64
20 P f(−4)! + 8! = 4√5
& 𝑦 = 8, −8
tangent gradient is perpendicular so gradient is the negative reciprocal − From the diagram we know P lies below the 𝑥 axis, so 𝑦 = −8 Find the area of the triangle
% So, the equation of the circle is
1 P (4, −8) 1
𝑦 =− 𝑥+𝑐 × 20 × 6 = 60 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 80
3 2
Find the gradient of OP, which is perpendicular the tangent at P With SOHCAHTOA With Circle Equa2on
we know the point (3, 8) lies on the tangent line so we can plug it in −8 − 0 GCSE AQA Churchill Prac8ce Paper June 2017 Paper 1 Q23 GCSE Mock Set 4 Paper 1H Q21
1 𝑚= = −2 GCSE June 2019 Paper 3H Q22 GCSE June 2024 Paper 1H Q23
8 = − (3) + 𝑐 4−0
3 1 A circle has the equation 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 80. The diagram shows the circle with equation 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 100.
𝑐 =8+1 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑃 = The diagram shows a circle, centre O. AB is the tangent to the circle at the A straight line with posi-ve gradient passes through two points on
2
𝑐=9 Find the equation of the tangent point A. Angle OBA 30°. Point B has coordinates (16, 0) Point P has a circle centered at the origin. One of the points has coordinates
1 • We know a point, P(4, −8), on the tangent, as well as the gradient: coordinates (3p, p). (5, 10) and the other has 𝑥-coordinate −2. Find the 𝑦-intercept of
𝑦 =− 𝑥+9
3 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 this line.
The question asks us to leave in a certain form • Substitute in the gradient and the coordinates of P
This is just asking us to kill the fractions by multiplying everything by 3 1
3𝑦 = −𝑥 + 27 −8 = × 4 + 𝑐
2
Hence we get −8 = 2 + 𝑐
𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 27 = 0 𝑐 = −10
&
• So the equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 10
!
Multiply by 2 and rearrange to get an equation with integers
−𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 20 = 0 The unit of length on both axes is 1 centimetre. The circle intersects the
The centre of the circle is the origin, O. The point P on the circle has
positive y-axis at the point A. The point C on the circle has coordinates
coordinates (2𝑎, 𝑎) where 𝑎 is a positive constant. The tangent to the
Medium Examples - Finding Points First By Plugging In circle at P crosses the x axis at the point Q and crosses the Y axis at the
point R. Work out the area of triangle OQR.
(6, −8). The straight lines AB and CB are tangents to the circle. AB is a
horizontal line
[Link] the value of 𝑝.
Remember from straight line graphs that if we have an unknown we can plug in a point that lies on the line or circle to find it. Make sure it lies [Link] the area of quadrilateral ABCO
[Link] the area of quadrilateral ABCO [Link] your answer correct to 1 decimal place.
on the equation you’re plugging into first Firstly, draw out what is happening

GCSE June 2023 Paper 3H Q23 The line𝑦 = 3𝑥 – 4 is a tangent to the circle C, touching C at the point P(2, 2), as We need the We need both
shown in the diagram below tangent equation tangent equations
A circle has equa-on 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 25
first before we can first (tangent 1 and
The point P with coordinates (−3,4) lies on the circle
Alex says that the tangent to the circle at P crosses the 𝑥 axis at the point (−8,0) find R and Q tangent 2) before we
Is Alex correct? You must show how you get your answer. can find B

The radius of 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 100 is √100 = 10

#"#) '
Find 𝑎 by substituting point P(2𝑎, 𝑎) into the equation of the circle The gradient of OC is =−
(#) %
(2𝑎)! + 𝑎 ! = 80 Tangent CB is perpendicular to OC:
4𝑎 ! + 𝑎 ! = 80 3
gradient of tangent at C = Use the circle theorem that the angle between a radius (OA) and a tangent To find 𝑘 we need to set 𝑥 = 0 in the equa-on of the line (or j
𝑎 ! = 16 4
𝑎 = 4 since 𝑎 is positive Find the full equation of CB in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 by substituting (AB) is a right angle locate the y intercept in the equa-on) but we don’t have the
So P(8, 4) in the coordinates (6, −8) equa-on of the line!
The point Q is the centre of C. 3 Find OA using the sine rule in the triangle
i. [Link] an equation of the straight line through P and Q. *#) & −8 = (6) + 𝑐 To find the line we need both points. To find the missing
Gradient of OP is = 4
The question is asking for the blue point [Link] that Q lies on the line 𝑦 = 1,show that the 𝑥 coordinate of Q is 5 !*#) ! 25 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵 coordinate of point (−2, 𝑦) we can plug it into the circle equa-on
RQ is perpendicular to OP 𝑐=− =
Find the gradient of the radius 2 𝑎 𝑏 since it lies on the circle. But we don’t have the circle equa-on
4−0 4 gradient of tangent at P = −2 3 25 either yet!
𝑚= =− 𝑦= 𝑥− 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵
−3 − 0 3 4 2 = We know a point that lies on the circle so we can plug it in.
Find the full equation of RQ given that P(8, 4) lies on the line We know B is the intersection of AB and CB 𝑂𝐵 𝑂𝐴 (5)! + (10)! = 𝑟 !
We can find the gradient of the tangent 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 The line AB is just the equation 𝑦 = 10. This will be the 𝑦 125 = 𝑟 !
3 4 = −2(8) + 𝑐 coordinate of B 𝑠𝑖𝑛90 𝑠𝑖𝑛30
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 = negative reciprocal = 4 = −16 + 20 =
4 Equate AB and CB to find the 𝑥 coordinate of B 16 𝑂𝐴 Hence, the equa-on of the circle is
𝑦 = −2𝑥 + 20 3 25 1
1 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 125
We now find the equation of the tangent: 10 = 𝑥 −
4 2 = 2
R is the 𝑦 intercept of RQ, which is (0,20) 3 45 16 𝑂𝐴
We know a point, P(−3,4), on the tangent as well as the gradient: ∴ 𝑂𝐴 = 8 So, we can plug 𝑥 = −2 in now to find the y coordinate
Q is the 𝑥 intercept of RQ 𝑥=
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 i. 4 2 (−2)! + 𝑦 ! = 125
Substitute in the gradient and the coordinates of P 0 = −2𝑥 + 20 𝑥 = 30 𝑦 = ±11
Find the gradient of PQ, which is perpendicular to the tangent 𝑦 = 3𝑥 – 4 This means the radius is of length 8
3 𝑥 = 10
4 = × −3 + 𝑐 1 1 Since the circle has centre (0,0), its equation takes the form 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 𝑟 ! and
4 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = − = − So 𝑥 intercept is (10, 0) 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝑂 = 2 × 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝑂𝐵 The coordinate is below the y axis hence 𝑦 = −11. Now we can
3 3 we know 𝑟 = 8
9
4=− +𝑐 Find the full equation of PQ by substituting the coordinates P(2, 2) into the equation R use (−2, −11) and (5,10) to find the line equa-on.
4 of the line 10 − −11 21
25 So, the equation of the circle is 𝑚= = =3
𝑐= 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 64 5 − −2 7
4 1 20 Hence
2 = − (2) + 𝑐
• So, the equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 𝑥 +
% !$
8
3
O Q Substitute the point P into this equation 𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 5
𝑘 = −5
•
' '
𝑐=
3
10 𝑥 = 3𝑝, 𝑦 = 𝑝
(3𝑝)! + 𝑝! = 64
% !$ 1 8
Check if the point (−8,0) lies on the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑦=− 𝑥+ 9𝑝! + 𝑝! = 64
' '
3 3 Find the area of the triangle
• Substitute −8 into the place of 𝑥 and see if you get 0 10𝑝! = 64
ii. 1
3 25 1 × 10 × 20 = 100 𝑝! = 6.4
𝑦 = × −8 + = (≠ 0) 𝑦 coordinate of Q is 1: substitute this into the above equation to find the 𝑥 coordinate 2
4 4 4 1 8 𝑝 = ±√6.4
So, Alex is incorrect 1=− 𝑥+
3 3
1 5 Base is length AO=10, Height is length AB=30 Since P is in the positive quadrant, we take the positive square root for 𝑝 to 1
− 𝑥=− 1 decimal place
3 3 2 × × 10 × 30 = 300𝑐𝑚!
𝑥=5 2 𝑝 = 2.5