[Math] General equation of line that goes through center of a circle and a point

analytic geometrygeometry

Given an arbitrary point $P$, at $(x_{1}, y_{1})$, is there a general expression of a line that goes through a circle of radius $r$ centered at the origin? I know there are infinite number of such lines/diameters when $P = 0$.

If such an expression exists, is it possible to algebraically, or otherwise, find the general equation for all intersection points between the line and the circle?

Best Answer

An arbitrary line is given by the equation $$ a \, x + b\, y = c \quad (*) $$ The circle through the origin with radius $r$ has the equation $$ x^2 + y^2 = r^2 $$ The requirements on the line is to go through the origin $(0,0)$ which happens to be the center of the circle and some point $P=(x_1, y_1)$.

This line can be written in parametric form as $$ x = (1-t)\, 0 + t\, x_1 = t \, x_1 \\ y = (1-t)\, 0 + t\, y_1 = t \, y_1 $$ for $t \in \mathbb{R}$.

Using $(*)$ we insert the origin and get $$ a\, 0 + b\, 0 = c \Rightarrow c = 0 $$ Then we insert $P$ and get $$ a\, x_1 + b\, y_1 = 0 $$ If $P$ is different from the origin, this gives another condition. E.g. if $x_1 \ne 0$ we have $$ a = - \frac{y_1}{x_1} b $$ and $$ -\frac{y_1}{x_1} b x + b y = 0 $$ which means $b = 0$ or $y = (y_1/x_1) x$.