(© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

THE CIRCLE (Q 3, PAPER 2)

LESSON NO. 3: TANGENTS
2007
3 (c) The circle K has equation ( x − 5) 2 + ( y + 1) 2 = 34.
(i) Write down the radius of K and the coordinates of the centre of K.

(ii) Verify that the point (10, − 4) is on the circle.

(iii) T is a tangent to the circle at the point (10, − 4).

S is another tangent to the circle and S is parallel to T.
Find the coordinates of the point at which S is a tangent to the circle.
SOLUTION
3 (c) (i)
Circle C with centre (h, k), radius r.
( x − h) 2 + ( y − k ) 2 = r 2 ....... 2
To get the centre: Change the sign of the number inside each bracket.
To get the radius: Take the square root of the number on the right.

K : ( x − 5) 2 + ( y + 1) 2 = 34
Centre (5, − 1), r = 34
3 (c) (ii)
IS A POINT ON A CIRCLE, INSIDE A CIRCLE OR OUTSIDE A CIRCLE?
Substitute the point into the circle.
On the circle: Both sides are equal.
Inside the circle: The left hand side is less than the right hand side.
Outside the circle: The left hand side is greater than the right hand side.

(10, − 4) ∈ K ?
∴ ((10) − 5) 2 + ((−4) + 1) 2
= (10 − 5) 2 + (−4 + 1) 2
= (5) 2 + (−3) 2 = 25 + 9
= 34 ⇒ (10, − 4) ∈ K

3 (c) (iii)

FINDING A PARALLEL TANGENT TO A CIRCLE:

A tangent to a circle, T1, has a parallel tangent, T2,
o
on the other side of the circle. The centre, o, is q p
the midpoint of their points of contact, p and q.
The slopes of the two tangents are the same.
T2 C T1

You need to find the image of (10, − 4) under a central symmetry through the centre (5, − 1).

CONT....
 (© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

-5

+3 (10, − 4) → (5, − 1) → (0, 2)

(10, -4) (5, -1) ( , )
-5

+3
Therefore, (0, 2) is the point of contact of tangent S with the circle K.

2006
3 (a) The circle C has equation x 2 + y 2 = 25.
The line L is a tangent to C at the point (−3, 4).
(i) Verify that the point (−3, 4) is on C.

(ii) Find the slope of L.

(iii) Find the equation of L.

(iv) The line T is another tangent to C and is parallel to L.

Find the coordinates of the point at which T touches C.
SOLUTION
3 (a) (i)
IS A POINT ON A CIRCLE, INSIDE A CIRCLE OR OUTSIDE A CIRCLE?
Substitute the point into the circle.
On the circle: Both sides are equal.
Inside the circle: The left hand side is less than the right hand side.
Outside the circle: The left hand side is greater than the right hand side.

(−3, 4) ∈ x 2 + y 2 = 25 ?
(−3) 2 + (4) 2 = 9 + 16
= 25 ⇒ (−3, 4) ∈ x 2 + y 2 = 25

3 (a) (ii)
SOME POINTS ABOUT TANGENTS:
T
• There is only one point of contact, p, between the
tangent, T, and the circle, C.
C
• The slope of the tangent is perpendicular to the o r p
line joining the centre to the point of contact, op.

FINDING THE EQUATION OF A TANGENT, T, TO A CIRCLE:

STEPS
1. Find the slope of the line from the centre to the point of contact.
2. Find the slope of the tangent (it is perpendicular to the radius).
3. Find the equation of T.

CONT....
(© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

First, find the slope between the centre (0, 0) and the point of L
contact (−3, 4).
C

y2 − y1
REMEMBER IT AS: (0, 0) (-3, 4)
m= ....... 3 r=5
x2 − x1 Difference in y ′s
Slope m =
Difference in x′s

(0, 0) (−3, 4) 4−0 4 4

↓↓ ↓ ↓ Slope: m = = =−
x1 y1 x2 y2 −3 − 0 −3 3

FINDING THE PERPENDICULAR SLOPE: Invert the slope and change its sign.

The tangent L is perpendicular to this slope.

Slope of L: m = 3
4

3 (a) (iii)
Equation of L: Point ( x1 , y1 ) = (−3, 4), slope m = 34 .

The equation of a line is a formula satisfied by every point (x, y) on the line.

Equation of a line: y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) ....... 4

y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
⇒ y − 4 = 34 ( x − (−3))
⇒ y − 4 = 34 ( x + 3)
⇒ 4( y − 4) = 3( x + 3)
⇒ 4 y − 16 = 3 x + 9
∴ 3 x − 4 y + 25 = 0

3 (a) (iv) T L
C
FINDING A PARALLEL TANGENT TO A CIRCLE:
A tangent to a circle, T1, has a parallel tangent, T2,
on the other side of the circle. The centre, o, is (0, 0)
the midpoint of their points of contact, p and q. (3, -4) (-3, 4)
The slopes of the two tangents are the same.

+3

-4
(-3, 4) (0, 0) (3, -4) (−3, 4) → (0, 0) → (3, − 4)
+3

-4
ANS: (3, − 4)
 (© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

2003
3 (c) The circle K has equation ( x + 2) 2 + ( y − 3) 2 = 25.
p and q are the endpoints of a diameter of K and pq is horizontal.
(i) Find the co-ordinates of p and the co-ordinates of q.

(ii) Hence, or otherwise, write down the equations of the two vertical tangents to K.

(iii) Another circle also has these two vertical lines as tangents.
The centre of this circle is on the x-axis.
Find the equation of this circle.
SOLUTION
3 (c) (i)
Find the centre and radius of K. Draw in a horizontal y
diameter and work out the end points of the diameter
by inspection.
You can see from the diagram that the coordinates
of the end points of the diameter are: p (−7, 3), q (3, 3) (-2, 3) 3
p q
r=5 r=5

x
-7 3

3 (c) (ii)
VERTICAL LINES y
Vertical lines have equations where
x = constant. In particular, the
y-axis has the equation x = 0.

-4 2 x

x = -4 x=0 x=2

You can see from the diagram that the equations of the y
two vertical tangents are: x = −7, x = 3

(-2, 3) 3
p q
r=5 r=5

x
-7 3

x = -7 x=3

CONT....
(© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

3 (c) (iii) y
The new circle has a centre (−2, 0) and a radius 5.
New circle: ( x + 2) 2 + ( y − 0) 2 = 52
∴ ( x + 2) 2 + y 2 = 25 (-2, 0) x
-7 r=5 r=5 3

x = -7 x=3

2001
3 (b) Prove that the line x − 3 y = 10 is a tangent to the circle with equation x 2 + y 2 = 10
and find the coordinates of the point of contact.
SOLUTION
PROOF THAT A LINE IS A TANGENT TO A CIRCLE: When you solve the
quadratic only one answer is obtained, i.e. one point of contact.

STEPS
1. Isolate x or y using equation of the line.
2. Substitute into the equation of the circle and solve the resulting
quadratic.

1. L : x − 3 y = 10 ⇒ x = 3 y + 10
2. C : x 2 + y 2 = 10
⇒ (3 y + 10) 2 + y 2 = 10
⇒ 9 y 2 + 60 y + 100 + y 2 = 10
⇒ 10 y 2 + 60 y + 90 = 0
⇒ y2 + 6 y + 9 = 0
⇒ ( y + 3)( y + 3) = 0
∴ y = −3
∴ x = 3 y + 10 = 3(−3) + 10 = −9 + 10 = 1
Points of intersection: (1, − 3)
As there is only one point of contact, the line is a tangent to the circle.
 (© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

2000
3 (b) (i) Find the slope of the tangent to the circle x 2 + y 2 = 29 at the point (2, 5).

(ii) Hence, find the equation of the tangent.

SOLUTION
3 (b) (i) FINDING THE EQUATION OF A TANGENT, T, TO A CIRCLE:
STEPS
1. Find the slope of the line from the centre to the point of contact.
2. Find the slope of the tangent (it is perpendicular to the radius).
3. Find the equation of T.

Centre of x 2 + y 2 = 29 : (0, 0) Circle C with centre (0, 0), radius r.

x 2 + y 2 = r 2 ....... 1

1. Find the slope of the line joining (0, 0) to (2, 5). T

y2 − y1
REMEMBER IT AS: C
m= ....... 3
x2 − x1 Difference in y ′s (0, 0) (2, 5)
Slope m = r
Difference in x′s

(0, 0) (2, 5) 5−0 5

↓↓ ↓ ↓ Slope: m = =
x1 y1 x2 y2 2−0 2

2. The slope of the tangent is perpendicular to this slope.

FINDING THE PERPENDICULAR SLOPE: Invert the slope and change its sign.

Slope of tangent: m = − 52

3 (b) (ii)
3. Equation of T: Point (x1, y1) = (2, 5), slope m = − 52

The equation of a line is a formula satisfied by every point (x, y) on the line.

Equation of a line: y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) ....... 4

y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
⇒ y − 5 = − 52 ( x − 2)
⇒ 5( y − 5) = −2( x − 2)
⇒ 5 y − 25 = −2 x + 4
∴ 2 x + 5 y − 29 = 0
(© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

1999
3 (c) A circle K has equation x 2 + y 2 = 13.
T is a tangent to K at (−2, − 3).
Find the equation of T.
Find the equation of the other tangent to K which is parallel to T.
SOLUTION
FINDING THE EQUATION OF A TANGENT, T, TO A CIRCLE:
STEPS
1. Find the slope of the line from the centre to the point of contact.
2. Find the slope of the tangent (it is perpendicular to the radius).
3. Find the equation of T.

Centre of x 2 + y 2 = 13 : (0, 0) Circle C with centre (0, 0), radius r.

x2 + y 2 = r 2 ....... 1

T
1. Find the slope of the line joining (0, 0) to (−2, − 3).

REMEMBER IT AS: K
y2 − y1
m= ....... 3 Difference in y ′s
x2 − x1 Slope m = (0, 0) (-2, -3)
r
Difference in x′s

(0, 0) (−2, − 3) −3 − 0 −3 3
↓↓ ↓ ↓ Slope: m = = =
−2 − 0 −2 2
x1 y1 x2 y2

2. The slope of the tangent is perpendicular to this slope.

FINDING THE PERPENDICULAR SLOPE: Invert the slope and change its sign.

Slope of tangent T: m = − 23

3. Equation of T: Point ( x1 , y1 ) = (−2, − 3), slope m = − 23

The equation of a line is a formula satisfied by every point (x, y) on the line.

Equation of a line: y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) ....... 4

T : y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
⇒ y − (−3) = − 23 ( x − (−2))
⇒ 3( y + 3) = −2( x + 2)
⇒ 3 y + 9 = −2 x − 4
∴ 2 x + 3 y + 13 = 0

CONT....
(© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

FINDING A PARALLEL TANGENT TO A CIRCLE:

A tangent to a circle, T1, has a parallel tangent, T2,
o
on the other side of the circle. The centre, o, is q p
the midpoint of their points of contact, p and q.
The slopes of the two tangents are the same.
T2 C T1

To find the point of contact of the parallel tangent, find

T
the image of (−2, − 3) by a central symmetry through K
the centre (0, 0).
+2 (0, 0)
(2, 3) r (-2, -3)
+3
(-2, -3) (0, 0) (2, 3)
+2

+3
(−2, − 3) → (0, 0) → (2, 3)

Equation of parallel tangent: Point (x1, y1) = (2, 3), slope m = − 23

y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
⇒ y − 3 = − 23 ( x − 2)
⇒ 3( y − 3) = −2( x − 2)
⇒ 3 y − 9 = −2 x + 4
∴ 2 x + 3 y − 13 = 0
(© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

1998
3 (c) The line with equation 3 x − y + 10 = 0 is a tangent to the circle which has
equation x 2 + y 2 = 10.
(i) Find the coordinates of a, the point at which the line touches the circle.

(ii) The origin is the midpoint of [ab].

Find the equation of the tangent to the circle at b.
SOLUTION
3 (c) (i) FINDING THE POINT OF CONTACT BETWEEN A TANGENT AND A CIRCLE:
STEPS
1. Isolate x or y using equation of the line.
2. Substitute into the equation of the circle and solve the resulting
quadratic.

PROOF THAT A LINE IS A TANGENT TO A CIRCLE: When you solve the

quadratic only one answer is obtained, i.e. one point of contact.

1. 3 x − y + 10 = 0 ⇒ y = (3 x + 10)
2. x 2 + y 2 = 10
⇒ x 2 + (3x + 10) 2 = 10
⇒ x 2 + 9 x 2 + 60 x +1
100 = 10
⇒ 10 x 2 + 60 x + 90 = 0
⇒ x2 + 6 x + 9 = 0
⇒ ( x + 3)( x + 3) = 0
∴ x = −3 ⇒ y = 3(−3) + 10 = −9 + 10 = 1
∴ a(−3, 1) is the point of contact.
3 (c) (ii)

FINDING A PARALLEL TANGENT TO A CIRCLE:

A tangent to a circle, T1, has a parallel tangent, T2,
o
on the other side of the circle. The centre, o, is q p
the midpoint of their points of contact, p and q.
The slopes of the two tangents are the same.
T2 C T1

To find the point of contact of the parallel tangent, find

the image of (−3, 1) by a central symmetry through the
centre (0, 0).
+3
(0, 0)
-1 b(3, -1) a(-3, 1)
a(-3, 1) (0, 0) b(3, -1)
+3

-1
a (−3, 1) → (0, 0) → b(3, − 1) CONT....
 (© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

Find the slope of the tangent with equation 3 x − y + 10 = 0.

GENERAL FORM OF A STRAIGHT LINE

Every straight line can be written in the form: ax + by + c = 0.
You can read off the slope of a straight line from its equation.

Slope: m = − ⎛⎜ a ⎞⎟ ....... 5
⎝b⎠

⎛ Number in front of x ⎞
REMEMBER IT AS: Slope m = − ⎜ ⎟
⎝ Number in front of y ⎠

Therefore, the slope of the tangent: m = + 13 = 3

Parallel lines have the same slope.

Equation of parallel tangent: Point ( x1 , y1 ) = b(3, − 1), m = 3

The equation of a line is a formula satisfied by every point (x, y) on the line.

Equation of a line: y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) ....... 4

y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
⇒ y − (−1) = 3( x − 3)
⇒ y + 1 = 3x − 9
∴ 3 x − y − 10 = 0
(© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

1997
3 (b) Prove that the line x − 2 y + 10 = 0 is a tangent to the circle whose equation is
x 2 + y 2 = 20.
SOLUTION
FINDING THE POINT OF CONTACT BETWEEN A TANGENT AND A CIRCLE:
STEPS
1. Isolate x or y using equation of the line.
2. Substitute into the equation of the circle and solve the resulting
quadratic.

PROOF THAT A LINE IS A TANGENT TO A CIRCLE: When you solve the

quadratic only one answer is obtained, i.e. one point of contact.

1. x − 2 y + 10 = 0 ⇒ x = 2 y − 10
2. x 2 + y 2 = 20
⇒ (2 y − 10) 2 + y 2 = 20
⇒ 4 y 2 − 40 y + 100 + y 2 = 20
⇒ 5 y 2 − 40 y + 80 = 0
⇒ y 2 − 8 y + 16 = 0
⇒ ( y − 4)( y − 4) = 0
∴y =4
As the quadratic has only one solution, the line is a tangent to the circle.
 (© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

1996
3 (c) A circle K has equation x 2 + y 2 = 25.
(i) T is a tangent to K at (3, 4).
Find the equation of T.

(ii) Find the equation of the other tangent to K which is parallel to T.

SOLUTION
3 (c) (i) FINDING THE EQUATION OF A TANGENT, T, TO A CIRCLE:
STEPS
1. Find the slope of the line from the centre to the point of contact.
2. Find the slope of the tangent (it is perpendicular to the radius).
3. Find the equation of T.

Centre of
Circle C with centre (0, 0), radius r.
K : x 2 + y 2 = 25 : (0, 0)
x 2 + y 2 = r 2 ....... 1

1. Find the slope of the line joining (0, 0) to (3, 4). T

REMEMBER IT AS: K
y2 − y1
m= ....... 3
x2 − x1 Difference in y ′s
Slope m = (0, 0) (3, 4)
Difference in x′s r

(0, 0) (3, 4) 4−0 4

↓↓ ↓ ↓ Slope: m = =
3−0 3
x1 y1 x2 y2

2. The slope of the tangent T is perpendicular to this slope.

FINDING THE PERPENDICULAR SLOPE: Invert the slope and change its sign.

Slope of tangent T: m = − 34

3. Equation of T: Point (x1, y1) = (3, 4), slope m = − 34

The equation of a line is a formula satisfied by every point (x, y) on the line.

Equation of a line: y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) ....... 4

T : y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
⇒ y − 4 = − 34 ( x − 3)
⇒ 4( y − 4) = −3( x − 3)
⇒ 4 y − 16 = −3 x + 9
∴ 3 x + 4 y − 25 = 0
(© Tony Kelly & Kieran Mills)

3 (c) (ii)

FINDING A PARALLEL TANGENT TO A CIRCLE:

A tangent to a circle, T1, has a parallel tangent, T2,
o
on the other side of the circle. The centre, o, is q p
the midpoint of their points of contact, p and q.
The slopes of the two tangents are the same.
T2 C T1

To find the point of contact of the parallel tangent, find T

the image of (3, 4) by a central symmetry through the K
centre (0, 0).
-3 (0, 0)
(-3, -4) (3, 4)
-4
(3, 4) (0, 0) (-3, -4)
-3

-4
(3, 4) → (0, 0) → (−3, − 4)

Equation of parallel tangent: ( x1 , y1 ) = (−3, − 4), m = − 34

y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
⇒ ( y − (−4)) = − 34 ( x − (−3))
⇒ 4( y + 4) = −3( x + 3)
⇒ 4 y + 16 = −3 x − 9
∴ 3 x + 4 y + 25 = 0