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A-LevelMathematicsCoordinate geometry9709/12 · May/June 2022 · Q88 Marks

The equation of a circle is x² + y² + ax + by − 12 = 0. The points A (1, 1) and B (2, −6) lie on the circle.

  1. (a)Find the values of a and b and hence find the coordinates of the centre of the circle.[4]
  2. (b)Find the equation of the tangent to the circle at the point A, giving your answer in the form px + qy = k, where p, q and k are integers.[4]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [B1] 1 + 1 + a + b – 12 = 0 [=> a + b = 10]
  2. [B1] 4 + 36 + 2a – 6b – 12 = 0 [=> 2a – 6b = -28]
  3. [B1] a = 4, b = 6
  4. [B1 FT] Centre is (-'their a'/2, -'their b'/2) [-2, -3]
  5. [M1] Gradient of AC is (1 - 'their y_c') / (1 - 'their x_c')
  6. [A1 FT] Gradient of tangent is -1 / 'their m_AC'
  7. [DM1] Equation: y - 1 = 'their m_tan'(x - 1)
  8. [A1] 3x + 4y = 7 or 4y + 3x = 7 or integer multiples of these

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About this question

Topic
Coordinate geometry, A-Level Mathematics (syllabus 9709). Structured question, 8 marks.
Source
A-Level Mathematics, May/June 2022 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 8.

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