Power of a point w.r.t. a circle (Power = S₁ (value of S at point, for S=0 circle))

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For circles S₁=0, S₂=0, radical axis is S₁−S₂=0 (linear); locus of equal tangent lengths.

What each symbol means

SymbolWhat it stands for
S₁, S₂General circle equations

When to use this

Coefficients of x² and y² equal (both circles normalized same) — usually both written with leading 1.