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Graph of a Circle

Graph of a Circle

Pythagoras Theorem states that the sum of the square of the two shorter sides is equal to the square of the hypotenuse:

`a^2 + b^2 = c^2`

where a and b are the two shorter sides, and c is the long side.

Replace the a and b with x and y coordinates. Setting `x^2 + y^2 = r^2`, and keeping r constant, describes a circle of radius r with a centre at the origin.

Example 1

A function is defined as `x^2 + y^2 = 64`. Construct the graph.

The radius of the circle is `sqrt64`. The centre of the circle is at 0,0, with radius 8.

Answer: Graphical representation of a circle with radius 8

Example 2

A function is defined as `x^2 + y^2 = 50`. Is the coordinate (4, 3) within the circle?

Work out the value of `4^2 + 3^2` = 25. This is less than 50, so the coordinate is within the circle.

Answer: Yes

See also Pythagoras and Circumference of a Circle