CIRCLE

Circle: The set of points in a plane which are at a constant distance from a
given point is called a circle.

The fixed point is called the centre and the constant distance is called the
radius of the circle.

Point circle:

The circle whose radius is zero is called a point circle.

Theorem:

The equation of the circle whose centre is (𝑎, 𝑏) and radius 𝑟 is (𝑥 − 𝑎)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑟 2 .

 Equation of the circle whose centre is at the origin and radius 𝑟 is 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 .

 Equation of the point circle with centre (𝑎, 𝑏) is (𝑥 − 𝑎)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑏)2 = 0

Standard equation of circle:

The equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 represents a circle if 𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 ≥ 0 whose centre is

(−𝑔, −𝑓) and radius is 𝑟 = √𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 . This equation is called general or standard equation of a
circle.

Note: The conditions for the equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 2ℎ𝑥𝑦 + 𝑏𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 to represent a circle
are:

(i) 𝑎 = 𝑏
(ii) ℎ = 0
(iii) 𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑎𝑐 ≥ 0

Equation of the circle when ends of a diameter are given:

Equation of the circle described on the line segment AB where 𝐴 = (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝐵 = (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) as
diameter is (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥 − 𝑥2 ) + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )(𝑦 − 𝑦2 ) = 0.

i.e. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − (𝑥1 + 𝑥2 )𝑥 − (𝑦1 + 𝑦2 )𝑦 + 𝑥1 𝑥2 + 𝑦1 . 𝑦2 = 0.

Note:

(i) Angle in a semi-circle is a right angle.

(ii)The image of Orthocentre of a triangle in any of its sides is a point on

the circumcircle of the triangle.
 (iii) In any triangle, bisector of an angle and perpendicular bisector of the
side opposite to the angle, if intersect, intersect on the circumcircle of the
triangle.

Parametric equations of a circle:

• Parametric equations of a circle with centre 𝐶(𝑎, 𝑏) and radius 𝑟 are : 𝑥 = 𝑎 + 𝑟 cos 𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑏 +
𝑟 sin 𝜃, where 𝜃 is parameter and 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋.
The point on the circle (𝑎 + 𝑟 cos 𝜃, 𝑏 + 𝑟 sin 𝜃) is denoted by the point 𝜃.
• Parametric equations of the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 are 𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃, where 𝜃 is
parameter.
Any point on the circle can be taken as (𝑟 cos 𝜃 , 𝑟 sin 𝜃 ).
• Parametric equations of the circle 𝑆 ≡ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 are 𝑥 = −𝑔 + 𝑟 cos 𝜃,
𝑦 = −𝑓 + 𝑟 sin 𝜃 where 𝑟 = √𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐 .

Chord:
The line segment joining any two points on a circle is called a chord.

In the figure AB is a chord of the circle.

• Equation of the chord joining the points 𝛼 and 𝛽 on the circle 𝑆 = 0 is

𝛼+ 𝛽 𝛼+ 𝛽 𝛼−𝛽
(𝑥 + 𝑔) cos ( )+ (𝑦 + 𝑓) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ).
2 2 2
• Equation of the chord joining the points 𝛼 and 𝛽 on the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 is
𝛼+ 𝛽 𝛼+ 𝛽 𝛼− 𝛽
𝑥 cos ( 2
) + 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 2 ) = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( 2
).

Notation: The following notation will be adopted throughout these chapters.

Let the equation of the circle be denoted by 𝑆 = 0 where 𝑆 ≡ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐.

➢ 𝑆 ≡ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐
≡ 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 + 𝑔(𝑥 + 𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑦 + 𝑦) + 𝑐
➢ 𝑆1 ≡ 𝑥𝑥1 + 𝑦𝑦1 + 𝑔(𝑥 + 𝑥1 ) + 𝑓(𝑦 + 𝑦1 ) + 𝑐
➢ 𝑆2 ≡ 𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑦𝑦2 + 𝑔(𝑥 + 𝑥2 ) + 𝑓(𝑦 + 𝑦2 ) + 𝑐
➢ 𝑆11 ≡ 𝑥12 + 𝑦12 + 2𝑔𝑥1 + 2𝑓𝑦1 + 𝑐
➢ 𝑆22 ≡ 𝑥22 + 𝑦22 + 2𝑔𝑥2 + 2𝑓𝑦2 + 𝑐
➢ 𝑆12 ≡ 𝑥1 𝑥2 + 𝑦1 𝑦2 + 𝑔(𝑥1 + 𝑥2 ) + 𝑓(𝑦1 + 𝑦2 ) + 𝑐
Power of a point:

If C is the centre and 𝑟 be the radius of a circle and P is any point in

the plane of the circle, then 𝐶𝑃2 − 𝑟 2 is defined the power of the
point P.
𝐶𝑃2 − 𝑟 2 = 𝑆11 if 𝑃 = (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ).

Position of a point w.r.t. a circle:

Let 𝑃 = (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) be he given point and equation of the circle be 𝑆 = 0.

(i) P lies outside the circle ⟺ 𝑆11 > 0.

(ii) P lies on the circle ⟺ 𝑆11 = 0.

(iii) P lies inside the circle ⟺ 𝑆11 < 0.

Length of the tangent from a point to the circle:

◼ The length of the tangent from the point 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) to
the circle 𝑆 = 0 is √𝑆11.
𝑃𝐴 = 𝑃𝐵 = √𝑆11.

◼ If a secant from a point P cuts the circle at

A and B and a tangent from P touches the
circle at T, then

𝑃𝑇 2 = 𝑃𝐴. 𝑃𝐵 = 𝑆11.

◼ If a secant from a point P cuts a circle 𝑆 = 0 at A and B

respectively, then 𝑃𝐴. 𝑃𝐵 = 𝑆11 .

◼ If two secants from O to a circle cuts the circle

at A, B and C, D respectively, then

𝑂𝐴. 𝑂𝐵 = 𝑂𝐶. 𝑂𝐷.

 ◼ If 𝑎1 . 𝑎2 = 𝑏1 . 𝑏2 then the two lines 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑏1 𝑦 + 𝑐1 = 0 and
𝑎2 𝑥 + 𝑏2 𝑦 + 𝑐2 = 0 intersect the coordinate axes in four
concyclic points and equation of the circle passing through
these concyclic points is
(𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑏1 𝑦 + 𝑐1 )(𝑎2 𝑥 + 𝑏2 𝑦 + 𝑐2 ) − (𝑎1 𝑏2 + 𝑎2 𝑏1 )𝑥𝑦 = 0

Different other forms of circle:

➢ Equation of a circle passing through the points of intersection

of two circles S = 0 and S’ = 0 can be taken as 𝑆 + 𝜆𝑆′ = 0
where 𝜆 is a constant.

➢ Equation of a circle passing through the points of intersection

of a circle S = 0 and a line L = 0 can be taken as 𝑆 + 𝜆𝐿 = 0
where 𝜆 is a constant.

➢ Equation of a circle touching the line 𝐿 = 0 at (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) can be

taken as (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )2 + 𝜆𝐿 = 0 where 𝜆 is a
constant.

➢ Equation of a circle passing through the points (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and

(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) is of the form
𝑥 𝑦 1
𝑥
(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥 − 𝑥2 ) + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )(𝑦 − 𝑦2 ) + 𝜆 | 1 𝑦1 1| = 0
𝑥2 𝑦2 1
where 𝜆 is a constant.
(OR)
𝑥 − 𝑥1 𝑦 − 𝑦1
(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥 − 𝑥2 ) + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )(𝑦 − 𝑦2 ) + 𝜆 |𝑥 − 𝑥 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 | = 0
2 1

Note:

(i) Consider two second-degree equations in variables 𝑥 and 𝑦.

𝑆 ≡ 𝑎𝑥 2 + 2ℎ𝑥𝑦 + 𝑏𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 and 𝑆 ′ ≡ 𝑎′ 𝑥 2 + 2ℎ′ 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑏 ′ 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔′𝑥 + 2𝑓′𝑦 + 𝑐′ = 0.

Let these equations represent two intersecting curves. Then the equation of a curve passing through the
above points of intersection can be taken as 𝑆 + 𝜆𝑆′ = 0 where 𝜆 is a constant.

If this equation represents a circle, then the value of 𝜆 can be obtained by the two conditions (i)
coefficient of 𝑥 2 = coefficient of 𝑦 2 and (ii) coefficient of 𝑥𝑦 = 0.
(ii)

Equation of the circle circumscribing the quadrilateral formed by the

lines 𝐿1 = 0, 𝐿2 = 0, 𝐿3 = 0 and 𝐿4 = 0 can be taken as 𝐿1 . 𝐿2 +
𝜆𝐿3 . 𝐿4 = 0

Equation of the circle circumscribing the triangle formed by the lines 𝐿1 = 0, 𝐿2 = 0, and 𝐿3 = 0 can be
taken as 𝐿1 . 𝐿2 + 𝜆𝐿2 . 𝐿3 + 𝜇𝐿3 . 𝐿1 = 0.

The values of 𝜆 and 𝜇 can be obtained by the two conditions (i) coefficient of 𝑥 2 = coefficient of 𝑦 2 and
(ii) coefficient of 𝑥𝑦 = 0.

Secant and Chord:

Line AB is called a secant of the circle.

Line segment AB is called a chord of the circle.

Length of the chord AB = 2√𝑟 2 − 𝑑2 , where 𝑟 is the
radius and 𝑑 is the distance of the chord from the
centre.

Theorem:

The equation of the secant joining the points 𝐴(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝐵(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) on the circle S = 0 is 𝑆1 + 𝑆2 = 𝑆12.

Maximum and minimum distance of a point from the circle:

Let 𝐶 the center and 𝑟 be the radius of the circle. If 𝑃 is any
point in the plane of the circle then the maximum distance
of P from the circle is 𝑃𝐵 = 𝑃𝐶 + 𝑟 and minimum distance
of P from the Circle is 𝑃𝐴 = |𝑃𝐶 − 𝑟|.

Tangent and Normal of a circle:

Tangent:

The limiting position of a secant PQ of a circle when the point Q

approaches P along the curve on the either side is called a tangent at P.

P is called the point of contact of the tangent to the circle.

lim (𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑃𝑄) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑃

𝑄 →𝑃

❖ Equation of the tangent at 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) on the circle 𝑆 = 0 is

𝑆1 = 0. (i.e., 𝑥𝑥1 + 𝑦𝑦1 + 𝑔(𝑥 + 𝑥1 ) + 𝑓(𝑦 + 𝑦1 ) + 𝑐 = 0)
 ❖ Equation of the tangent at 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )on the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 is 𝑥𝑥1 + 𝑦𝑦1 − 𝑟 2 = 0.

❖ Equation of the tangent at 𝜃 on the circle 𝑆 = 0 is (𝑥 + 𝑔) cos 𝜃 + (𝑦 + 𝑓) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ = 𝑟.

❖ Equation of the tangent at 𝜃 on the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 is 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 + 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑟.

Theorem:
Two tangents can be drawn to a circle from an external point.
Normal:
The line perpendicular to the tangent at the point of contact P on the
circle is called a normal to the circle at the point P.

Normal to the circle always pass the centre of the circle.

Circle and a line:

Let 𝑑 be the distance of the centre of the circle to the line and 𝑟 be the radius of the circle.

(i) If 𝑑 < 𝑟 then the line cuts the circle at two different points.

(ii) If 𝑑 = 𝑟 then the line touches the circle at one point.

(iii) If 𝑑 > 𝑟 then the line does not cut the circle.

Condition of tangency:

The given line becomes a tangent to the given circle if

Distance of the centre from the line = Radius of the circle.

❖ The line 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 is a tangent to the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 if 𝑐 2 = 𝑟 2 (1 + 𝑚2 ).

𝑚𝑟 2 𝑟 2
Point of contact = (− 𝑐
, 𝑐)
❖ Equation of a tangent in the slope form to the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 is 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 ± 𝑟√1 + 𝑚2 .
❖ Equation of a tangent in the slope form to the circle S = 0 is 𝑦 + 𝑓 = 𝑚(𝑥 + 𝑔) ± 𝑟√1 + 𝑚2 .
Director Circle:

The locus of point of intersection of two mutually perpendicular

tangents to a circle is a circle concentric with the given circle, which is
called director circle of the given circle.
The equation of the director circle of the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 is
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 2𝑟 2 .
Equation of director circle of the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
is (𝑥 + 𝑔)2 + (𝑦 + 𝑓)2 = 2𝑟 2, where 𝑟 = √𝑔2 + 𝑓 2 − 𝑐.

Some results on condition of tangency:

 The condition for the circle 𝑆 = 0 to touch the x-axis is 𝑔2 = 𝑐.

The condition for the circle 𝑆 = 0 to touch the y-axis is 𝑓 2 = 𝑐
The condition for the circle 𝑆 = 0 to touch both the coordinate axes is 𝑔2 = 𝑓 2 = 𝑐.

 Equation of the circle touching both the coordinate axes and

(i) lying in the first Quadrant is 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 2√𝑐𝑥 − 2√𝑐𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0.

(ii) lying in the second Quadrant is 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2√𝑐𝑥 − 2√𝑐𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0.

(iii) lying in the third Quadrant is 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2√𝑐𝑥 + 2√𝑐𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0.

(iv) lying in the fourth Quadrant is 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 2√𝑐𝑥 + 2√𝑐𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0.

Intercepts made by the circle on axes:

(i) Length of the intercept made by the circle 𝑆 = 0 on the x-axis is

2√𝑔2 − 𝑐.

𝑥-intercept = AB = 2√𝑔2 − 𝑐

(ii) Length of the intercept made by the circle 𝑆 = 0 on the y-axis is

2√𝑓 2 − 𝑐.
𝑦-intercept = CD = 2√𝑓 2 − 𝑐

Circles touching Coordinate axes:

(i) If the circle 𝑆 = 0 touches the x-axis at (𝑥1 , 0) then

𝑥 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 𝑐 ≡ (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )2.

(ii) If the circle 𝑆 = 0 touches the y-axis at (0, 𝑦1 ) then

𝑦 2 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 ≡ (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )2 .

Chord of Contact:

The chord joining the points of contact A and B of tangents drawn from
a point P to a circle is called Chord of Contact of the point P w.r.t the
circle.
Equation of the chord of contact of the point 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) w.r.t. the circle
𝑆 = 0 is 𝑆1 = 0.

Theorem:

Equation of the chord of contact of the point 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) w.r.t. the circle 𝑆 = 0 is 𝑆1 = 0.

Note:

(i) If the point P is on the circle, then the chord of contact of P is the tangent itself.

(iii) If the point P is an interior point of the circle, then the chord of contact of P does not exist.
Theorem:

Equation of the pair of tangents from a point

𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) to the circle 𝑆 = 0 is 𝑆12 = 𝑆. 𝑆11 .

Pole and Polar:

Let 𝑆 = 0 be a circle and P be any point other than the centre of the circle in the plane of the circle.

The locus of the point of intersection of the

tangents drawn at the extremities of a secant
from a point P to the circle, is a straight line,
called polar of the point P. The point P is called
pole of the polar.

Theorem:

Equation of the polar of a point 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) w.r.t. the circle 𝑆 = 0 is 𝑆1 = 0.

Note:

(i) If the point P is an exterior point of the circle, then the polar of P is the chord of contact of the point
P.

(ii) If the point P is on the circle, then the polar of P is the tangent to the circle at the point P.

(iii) If the point P is an interior point of the circle, then the polar of P does not intersect the circle.

Theorem:
If the polar of a point P wrt a circle 𝑆 = 0passes through another point Q then the polar of Q wrt to the
circle 𝑆 = 0 passes through P.

Conjugate points:

Two pints P and Q are said to be conjugate wrt a

circle 𝑆 = 0, if the polar of P wrt the circle passes
though the point Q .

The condition that two points 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and

𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) are conjugate points wrt a circle 𝑆 = 0,
is 𝑆12 = 0.

Theorem:
If the pole of a line 𝐿1 = 0 wrt a circle 𝑆 = 0 lies on a line 𝐿2 = 0, then the pole of the line 𝐿2 = 0 wrt
the circle 𝑆 = 0lies on the line 𝐿1 = 0.
Conjugate Lines:

Two lines 𝐿1 = 0 and 𝐿2 = 0 are said to be conjugate lines wrt a circle 𝑆 = 0, if the pole of the line 𝐿1 =
0 wrt the circle S = 0 lies on the line 𝐿2 = 0.

Inverse points:

Let C be the centre and 𝑟 be the radius of a circle 𝑆 = 0. Two points P and Q are said to be inverse points
wrt the circle 𝑆 = 0, if C, P and Q are collinear such that P and Q are on the same side of C and 𝐶𝑃. 𝐶𝑄 =
𝑟 2.

Theorem:

Let C be the centre and ‘r’ be the radius of the circle 𝑆 = 0.

Two points P and Q are inverse points wrt the circle 𝑆 = 0, if
and only if Q is the point of intersection of polar of P wrt the
circle 𝑆 = 0and the line joining C and P.

Note:

(i) The inverse point of a point P wrt the circle 𝑆 = 0 is the foot of the perpendicular of the centre of the
circle 𝑆 = 0on the polar of P.

(ii) If P and Q are inverse points wrt a circle 𝑆 = 0, then P and Q are conjugate points wrt the circle 𝑆 =
0.

Chord with (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) as its midpoint:

Equation of the chord having (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) as its midpoint, of a circle 𝑆 = 0

is 𝑆1 = 𝑆11.

Length of the chord = AB = 2√−𝑆11 .

Common Tangents:
If two circles lie on the same side of the common tangent, then the common tangent is called direct
common tangent and the two circles lie on opposite sides of the common tangent then it is called a
transverse common tangent.
Relative position of two circles & their common tangents:

Let ‘𝑑’ be the distance between the centers A and B of two circles and 𝑟1 and 𝑟2 are radii of the two
circles.

No of common tangents
[Link] Figure Condition
Direct Transverse Total

1. 𝑑 > 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 2 2 4

2. 𝑑 = 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 2 1 3

Point of contact divide the line of centers in the ratio 𝑟1 : 𝑟2 internally.

𝑑 = |𝑟1 − 𝑟2 |
3 1 0 1

Point of contact divide the line of centers in the ratio 𝑟1 : 𝑟2 externally.

4. 𝑟1 ~𝑟2 < 𝑑 < 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 2 0 2

5. 𝑑 < |𝑟1 − 𝑟2 | 0 0 0
Lengths of common tangents:

Let 𝑑 be the distance between the centres of the circles and 𝑟1 , 𝑟2 are radii of the two circles.

(i)Length of direct common tangent =

t = √𝑑2 − (𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )2.

(ii) Length of transverse common tangent =

t = √𝑑2 − (𝑟1 + 𝑟2 )2.

Centers of similitude:
(i) The point of intersection of direct common
tangents on line of centers is called external
centre of similitude 𝑃.
P divides AB externally in the ratio 𝑟1 : 𝑟2

(ii) The point of intersection of transverse

common tangents on the line of centers is called
internal centre of similitude 𝑄.
Q divides AB internally in the ratio 𝑟1 : 𝑟2

Angle between two circles:

The angle between two given circles is defined as the angle

between the two tangents to the circles at their point of
intersection.
If 𝑟1 and 𝑟2 are radii of the two circles and 𝑑 is the distance
between their centers, then angle 𝜃 between the circles is given
𝑑 2 −𝑟12 −𝑟22
by cos 𝜃 = 2𝑟1 𝑟2
.

➢ If the angle between the two circles is 900 , then they are said to cut each other orthogonally.
➢ The condition for the two circles cut each other orthogonally is 𝑑2 = 𝑟12 + 𝑟22 .
➢ The condition for the two circles 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 and 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔′𝑥 + 2𝑓′𝑦 +
𝑐′ = 0 intersects each other orthogonally is 2𝑔𝑔′ + 2𝑓𝑓 ′ = 𝑐 + 𝑐′.
Radical axis:

Let 𝑆 = 0 and 𝑆 ′ = 0 be two circles which are not concentric. Then the locus of the point whose powers
w.r.t to circles are equal is a straight line called Radical axis of the two circles.

Every pair of circles have radical axis when they are non-concentric.

Equation of the radical axis is 𝑆 − 𝑆 ′ = 0, i.e., 2(𝑔 − 𝑔′ )𝑥 + 2(𝑓 − 𝑓 ′ )𝑦 + 𝑐 − 𝑐 ′ = 0 .

Properties of radical axis:

1. Radical axis is perpendicular to the line of centers.

2. From any point on the radical axis, the length of the tangents
drawn to the circles are equal.

Conversely, the midpoints of all the common tangents of the

two circles lie on a straight line and that line is the radical axis.

3. If two circles intersect each other, then their common card is

the radical axis.

4. If two circles touch each other internally

or externally, then their common tangent
at their point of contact is their radical axis.
6. The locus of centre of a circle which cuts the given
two circles orthogonally is the radical axis of the two
circles.

5. The radical axes of three circles whose centres are

non-collinear taken in pairs are concurrent at a point
called the radical centre of the three circles.

The length of the tangents drawn from the radical

centre to the three circles are equal in length.

The circle with radical centre as its centre and the

length of the tangent from radical centre to any circle
as radius, cuts all the circles orthogonally.

Family of Circles:

Coaxal system of circles:

A set of infinite number of circles such that every pair of circles in the set has the same line as the radical
axis is called a Coaxal system of circles.

The circles forming a coaxal system must have their centres on a line. This condition is necessary but not
sufficient.

❖ Two non-concentric circles 𝑆 = 0and 𝑆 ′ = 0 determine a coaxal system 𝜆1 𝑆 + 𝜆2 𝑆 ′ = 0

where 𝜆1 and 𝜆2 are parameters in which 𝑆 = 0 and 𝑆′ = 0are members and radical axis
is 𝑆 − 𝑆 ′ = 0. The equation of the coaxal system can also be taken as 𝑆 + 𝜆𝑆 ′ = 0
where 𝜆 ≠ −1.
❖ Equation of the coaxal system determined by a circle 𝑆 = 0and a line 𝐿 = 0 is 𝑆 + 𝜆𝐿 =
0 where 𝜆 is a parameter, for which 𝑆 = 0 is a member and 𝐿 = 0 is the radical axis.
❖ Equation of the coaxal system of circles in the standard and the simplest form is 𝑥 2 +
𝑦 2 + 2𝜆𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 where 𝜆 is a parameter and c is a constant.
In this system x-axis is the line of centres and y-axis is the radical axis.
❖ Equation of the coaxal system of circles passing through the points (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 )
is
𝑥 𝑦 1
(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥 − 𝑥2 ) + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )(𝑦 − 𝑦2 ) + 𝜆 |𝑥1 𝑦1 1| = 0 where 𝜆 is a parameter.
𝑥2 𝑦2 1
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