Paper 2 · Co-ordinate Geometry of the Circle ⏱ Tested in 4 exam questions since 2015 Lesson 5 of 9

The Circle 5 – Intersecting circles/Touching circles

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You’ll learn

  • Prove two circles touch by comparing |C₁C₂| with R₁ + R₂ and |R₁ − R₂|
  • Find the common tangent or chord by setting K₁ = K₂ so x² and y² cancel
  • Find the point of contact by solving the tangent with one circle equation
  • Prove the centres and the point of contact are collinear using equal slopes

Most recent exam questions

  • 2025 P2 Q6(a)(ii) — deferred
  • 2024 P2 Q5(a)(ii)
  • 2021 P2 Q3(b)(i)
  • 2021 P2 Q3(b)(ii)
  • 2015 P2 Q4(b)(i)

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