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Topic summary · Pure intermediate (P2)

The Circle summary

Circle equations: centre–radius form and the expanded form. Completing the square recovers centre and radius.

Files: P2-The Circle.pdf · P2-The Circle answers.pdf · free public downloads · diagrams in the PDFs

Key learning points

  • (x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2(x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2 has centre (h,k)(h,k) and radius rr.
  • Expanded form: complete the square for xx and yy.
  • Line–circle intersections: substitute and solve a quadratic.
  • Geometric facts (tangent ⊥ radius) often sit alongside coordinates.

Worked example 1 — Centre and radius

Find centre and radius of x2+y2−6x+4y−12=0x^2+y^2-6x+4y-12=0.

Working

(x−3)2+(y+2)2=25(x-3)^2+(y+2)^2=25

Centre (3,−2)(3,-2), radius 5.

Worked example 2 — has centre and radius

Use this method from the The Circle sheet: (x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2(x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2 has centre (h,k)(h,k) and radius rr.

Working

Attempt a matching question on the sheet, then check the Answers PDF.\text{Attempt a matching question on the sheet, then check the Answers PDF.}

Each key learning point matches a question type on the printable worksheet.

Worked example 3 — Expanded form: complete the square for and

Use this method from the The Circle sheet: Expanded form: complete the square for xx and yy.

Working

Attempt a matching question on the sheet, then check the Answers PDF.\text{Attempt a matching question on the sheet, then check the Answers PDF.}

Each key learning point matches a question type on the printable worksheet.

Worked example 4 — Line–circle intersections: substitute and solve a quadr

Use this method from the The Circle sheet: Line–circle intersections: substitute and solve a quadratic.

Working

Attempt a matching question on the sheet, then check the Answers PDF.\text{Attempt a matching question on the sheet, then check the Answers PDF.}

Each key learning point matches a question type on the printable worksheet.

Worked example 5 — Geometric facts (tangent ⊥ radius) often sit alongside

Use this method from the The Circle sheet: Geometric facts (tangent ⊥ radius) often sit alongside coordinates.

Working

Attempt a matching question on the sheet, then check the Answers PDF.\text{Attempt a matching question on the sheet, then check the Answers PDF.}

Each key learning point matches a question type on the printable worksheet.

Scaffolded Learning Sheet and answers (PDFs)

This page is a short, searchable overview for revision and search engines. Use the Scaffolded Learning Sheet first, then the Answers PDF for a full written solution. The printable PDFs remain the main classroom resource.