The following terms are regularly used when referring to circles:
Arc
— a portion of the circumference of a circle.
Chord
— a straight line joining the ends of an arc.
Circumference
— the perimeter or boundary line of a circle.
Radius (r)
— any straight line from the centre of the circle to a point on the circumference.
Diameter
— a special chord that passes through the centre of the circle. A diameter is a straight line segment from
one point on the circumference to another point on the circumference that passes through the centre of the
circle.
Segment
— part of the circle that is cut off by a chord. A chord divides a circle into two segments.
Tangent
— a straight line that makes contact with a circle at only one point on the circumference.
An axiom is an established or accepted principle. For this section, the following are accepted as axioms.
The theorem of Pythagoras states that the square of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle is equal to the
sum of the squares of the other two sides.
(AC)2=(AB)2+(BC)2
A tangent is perpendicular to the radius (OT⊥ST), drawn at the point of contact with the circle.
Theorems (EMBJB)
A theorem is a hypothesis (proposition) that can be shown to be true by accepted mathematical operations and
arguments. A proof is the process of showing a theorem to be correct.
The converse of a theorem is the reverse of the hypothesis and the conclusion. For example, given the theorem
“if A, then B”, the converse is “if B, then A”.
Perpendicular line from circle centre bisects chord
If a line is drawn from the centre of a circle perpendicular to a chord, then it bisects the chord.
(Reason: ⊥ from centre bisects chord)
Circle with centre O and line OP perpendicular to chord AB.
AP=PB
Draw OA and OB.
In △OPA and in △OPB,
OA2=OP2+AP2(Pythagoras)OB2=OP2+BP2(Pythagoras)
and
OA=OB(equal radii)∴AP2=BP2∴AP=BP
Therefore OP bisects AB.
Alternative proof:
In △OPA and in △OPB,
OˆPA=OˆPB(given OP⊥AB)OA=OB(equal radii)OP=OP(common side)∴△OPA≡△OPB(RHS)∴AP=PB
Therefore OP bisects AB.
(PROOF NOT FOR EXAMS) Converse: Line from circle centre to mid-point of chord is perpendicular
If a line is drawn from the centre of a circle to the mid-point of a chord, then the line is perpendicular
to the chord.
(Reason: line from centre to mid-point ⊥)
Circle with centre O and line OP to mid-point P on chord AB.
OP⊥AB
Draw OA and OB.
In △OPA and in △OPB,
OA=OB(equal radii)AP=PB(given)OP=OP(common side)∴△OPA≡△OPB(SSS)∴OˆPA=OˆPBand OˆPA+OˆPB=180°(∠ on str. line)∴OˆPA=OˆPB=90°
Therefore OP⊥AB.
Theorem: Perpendicular bisector of chord passes through circle centre
If the perpendicular bisector of a chord is drawn, then the line will pass through the centre of the
circle.
(Reason: ⊥ bisector through centre)
Circle with mid-point P on chord AB.
Line QP is drawn such that QˆPA=QˆPB=90°.
Line RP is drawn such that RˆPA=RˆPB=90°.
Circle centre O lies on the line PR
Draw lines QA and QB.
Draw lines RA and RB.
In △QPA and in △QPB,
AP=PB(given)QP=QP(common side)QˆPA=QˆPB=90°(given)∴△QPA≡△QPB(SAS)∴QA=QB
Similarly it can be shown that in △RPA and in △RPB, RA=RB.
We conclude that all the points that are equidistant from A and B will lie on the line PR
extended. Therefore the centre O, which is equidistant to all points on the circumference, must also lie
on the line PR.
Worked example 1: Perpendicular line from circle centre bisects chord
Given OQ⊥PR and PR=8 units, determine the value of x.
Use theorems and the given information to find all equal angles and sides on the diagram
PQ=QR=4(⊥ from centre bisects chord)
Solve for x
In △OQP:
PQ=4(⊥ from centre bisects chord)OP2=OQ2+QP2(Pythagoras)52=x2+42∴x2=25−16x2=9x=3
Angles subtended by an arc at the centre and the circumference of a circle
Measure angles x and y in each of the following graphs:
Complete the table:
x
y
Use your results to make a conjecture about the relationship between angles subtended by an arc at the
centre of a circle and angles at the circumference of a circle.
Now draw three of your own similar diagrams and measure the angles to check your conjecture.
Theorem: Angle at the centre of a circle is twice the size of the angle at the circumference
If an arc subtends an angle at the centre of a circle and at the circumference, then the angle at the
centre is twice the size of the angle at the circumference.
(Reason: ∠ at centre =2∠ at circum.)
Circle with centre O, arc AB subtending AˆOB at the centre of the circle, and
AˆPB at the circumference.
AˆOB=2AˆPB
Draw PO extended to Q and let AˆOQ=ˆO1 and BˆOQ=ˆO2.
Angle at the centre of circle is twice angle at circumference
Textbook Exercise 8.2
Given \(O\) is the centre of the circle, determine the unknown angle in each of the following diagrams:
\[\begin{array}{rll}
b &= 2 \times \text{45}\text{°} & (\angle \text{ at centre } = 2 \angle \text{ at circum.})
\\
\therefore b &= \text{90}\text{°} & \end{array}\]
\[\begin{array}{rll}
c &= \frac{1}{2} \times \text{45}\text{°} & (\angle \text{ at centre } = 2 \angle \text{ at
circum.}) \\
\therefore c &= \text{22,5}\text{°} & \end{array}\]
\[\begin{array}{rll}
d &= 2 \times \text{100}\text{°} & (\angle \text{ at centre } = 2 \angle \text{ at circum.})
\\
\therefore d &= \text{200}\text{°} & \end{array}\]
\[\begin{array}{rll}
e &= \text{100}\text{°} - \text{90}\text{°} - \text{35}\text{°} & (\angle \text{ in
semi circle} ) \\
\therefore e &= \text{55}\text{°} &
\end{array}\]
\[\begin{array}{rll}
f &= \frac{1}{2} \times \text{240}\text{°} & (\angle \text{ at centre } = 2 \angle \text{ at
circum.}) \\
\therefore f &= \text{120}\text{°} &
\end{array}\]
Subtended angles in the same segment of a circle
Measure angles a, b, c, d and e in the diagram below:
Choose any two points on the circumference of the circle and label them A and B.
Draw AP and BP, and measure AˆPB.
Draw AQ and BQ, and measure AˆQB.
What do you observe? Make a conjecture about these types of angles.
Theorem: Subtended angles in the same segment of a circle are equal
If the angles subtended by a chord of the circle are on the same side of the chord, then the angles are
equal.
(Reason: ∠s in same seg.)
Circle with centre O, and points P and Q on the circumference of the circle. Arc AB
subtends AˆPB and AˆQB in the same segment of the circle.
AˆPB=AˆQB
AˆOB=2AˆPB(∠ at centre =2∠ at circum.)AˆOB=2AˆQB(∠ at centre =2∠ at circum.)∴2AˆPB=2AˆQBAˆPB=AˆQB
Equal arcs subtend equal angles
From the theorem above we can deduce that if angles at the circumference of a circle are subtended by arcs of
equal length, then the angles are equal. In the figure below, notice that if we were to move the two chords with
equal length closer to each other, until they overlap, we would have the same situation as with the theorem
above. This shows that the angles subtended by arcs of equal length are also equal.
(PROOF NOT FOR EXAMS) Converse: Concyclic points
If a line segment subtends equal angles at two other points on the same side of the line segment, then
these four points are concyclic (lie on a circle).
Line segment AB subtending equal angles at points P and Q on the same side of the line segment
AB.
A, B, P and Q lie on a circle.
Proof by contradiction:
Points on the circumference of a circle: we know that there are only two possible options regarding a given
point — it either lies on circumference or it does not.
We will assume that point P does not lie on the circumference.
We draw a circle that cuts AP at R and passes through A, B and Q.
AˆQB=AˆRB(∠s in same seg.)but AˆQB=AˆPB(given)∴AˆRB=AˆPBbut AˆRB=AˆPB+RˆBP(ext. ∠△=sum int.
opp.)∴RˆBP=0°
Therefore the assumption that the circle does not pass through P must be false.
We can conclude that A, B, Q and P lie on a circle (A, B, Q and P are
concyclic).
Worked example 3: Concyclic points
Given FH∥EI and EˆIF=15°, determine the value of b.
Use theorems and the given information to find all equal angles on the diagram
Solve for b
HˆFI=15°(alt. ∠,FH∥EI)and b=HˆFI(∠s in same seg.)∴b=15°
Is \(TV\) a diameter of the circle? Explain your answer.
No, since \(\text{45}\text{°} + \text{35}\text{°} \ne
\text{90}\text{°}\)
Given circle with centre \(O\), \(WT = TY\) and \(X\hat{W}T = \text{35}\text{°}\). Determine
\(f\).
\[\begin{array}{rll}
\text{In } \triangle WTZ &\text{ and in } \triangle YTZ, \\
WT &= YT & (\text{ given }) \\
ZT &= ZT & (\text{ common side }) \\
Y\hat{T}Z = W\hat{T}Z &= \text{90}\text{°} & (\text{ line from circle centre to mid-point })
\\
\therefore T\hat{Z}Y &= T\hat{Z}W & (\text{ SAS }) \\
T\hat{Z}Y = T\hat{Z}W &= f & \\
\text{And } T\hat{Z}Y &= \text{35}\text{°} & (\angle \text{s in same seg.}) \\
\therefore T\hat{Z}W = f &= \text{35}\text{°} &
\end{array}\]
Cyclic quadrilaterals
Cyclic quadrilaterals are quadrilaterals with all four vertices lying on the circumference of a circle
(concyclic).
Cyclic quadrilaterals
Consider the diagrams given below:
Circle 1
Circle 2
Circle 3
Complete the following:
ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral because ……
Complete the table:
Circle 1
Circle 2
Circle 3
ˆA=
ˆB=
ˆC=
ˆD=
ˆA+ˆC=
ˆB+ˆD=
Use your results to make a conjecture about the relationship between angles of cyclic quadrilaterals.
Theorem: Opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral
The opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral are supplementary.
(Reason: opp. ∠s cyclic quad.)
Circle with centre O with points A,B,P and Q on the circumference such that ABPQ is a
cyclic quadrilateral.
AˆBP+AˆQP=180° and QˆAB+QˆPB=180°
Draw AO and OP. Label ˆO1 and ˆO2.
ˆO1=2AˆBP(∠ at centre=2∠ at circum.)ˆO2=2AˆQP(∠ at centre=2∠ at circum.)and ˆO1+ˆO2=360°(∠s around a point)∴2AˆBP+2AˆQP=360°AˆBP+AˆQP=180°
Similarly, we can show that QˆAB+QˆPB=180°.
Converse: interior opposite angles of a quadrilateral
If the interior opposite angles of a quadrilateral are supplementary, then the quadrilateral is cyclic.
Exterior angle of a cyclic quadrilateral
If a quadrilateral is cyclic, then the exterior angle is equal to the interior opposite angle.
Worked example 4: Opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral
Given the circle with centre O and cyclic quadrilateral PQRS. SQ is drawn and SˆPQ=34°. Determine the values of a, b and c.
Use theorems and the given information to find all equal angles on the diagram
A tangent is a line that touches the circumference of a circle at only one place. The radius of a circle is
perpendicular to the tangent at the point of contact.
Theorem: Two tangents drawn from the same point outside a circle
If two tangents are drawn from the same point outside a circle, then they are equal in length.
(Reason: tangents from same point equal)
Circle with centre O and tangents PA and PB, where A and B are the respective points of
contact for the two lines.
AP=BP
In △AOP and △BOP,
OˆAP=OˆBP=90°(tangent⊥radius)AO=BO(equal radii)OP=OP(common side)∴△AOP≡△BOP(RHS)∴AP=BP
Worked example 6: Tangents from the same point outside a circle
In the diagram below AE=5 cm, AC=8 cm and CE=9 cm. Determine the values of a, b and c.
Use theorems and the given information to find all equal angles on the diagram
Solve for a, b and c
AB=AF=a(tangents from A)EF=ED=c(tangents from E)CB=CD=b(tangents from C)∴AE=a+c=5and AC=a+b=8and CE=b+c=9
Solve for the unknown variables using simultaneous equations
a+c=5…(1)a+b=8…(2)b+c=9…(3)
Subtract equation (1) from equation (2) and then substitute into equation (3):
(2)−(1)b−c=8−5=3∴b=c+3Substitute into (3)c+3+c=92c=6c=3∴a=2 and b=6
Measure the following angles with a protractor and complete the table:
Diagram 1
Diagram 2
Diagram 3
AˆBC=
ˆD=
ˆE=
Use your results to complete the following: the angle between a tangent to a circle and a chord is
…… to the angle in the alternate segment.
Theorem: Tangent-chord theorem
The angle between a tangent to a circle and a chord drawn at the point of contact, is equal to the angle
which the chord subtends in the alternate segment.
(Reason: tan. chord theorem)
Circle with centre O and tangent SR touching the circle at B. Chord AB subtends
ˆP1 and ˆQ1.
AˆBR=AˆPB
AˆBS=AˆQB
Draw diameter BT and join T to A.
Let AˆTB=T1.
AˆBS+AˆBT=90°(tangent⊥radius)BˆAT=90°(∠ in semi circle)∴AˆBT+T1=90°(∠ sum of △BAT)∴AˆBS=T1but Q1=T1(∠s in same segment)∴Q1=AˆBS
AˆBS+AˆBR=180°(∠s on str. line)ˆQ1+ˆP1=180°(opp. ∠s cyclic quad. supp.)∴AˆBS+AˆBR=Q1+P1and AˆBS=Q1∴AˆBR=P1
Worked example 7: Tangent-chord theorem
Determine the values of h and s.
Use theorems and the given information to find all equal angles on the diagram
Find the values of the unknown letters, stating reasons.
\[\begin{array}{rll}
a &= \text{33}\text{°} & (\text{tangent-chord }) \\
b &= \text{33}\text{°} & (\text{alt. angles, } OP \parallel SR )
\end{array}\]
\[\begin{array}{rll}
c &= \text{72}\text{°} & (\text{tangent-chord}) \\
d &= \dfrac{\text{180}\text{°} - \text{72}\text{°} }{2} & (\text{isosceles triangle})
\\
&= \text{54}\text{°} & (\text{alt. angles, } OP \parallel SR )
\end{array}\]
\[\begin{array}{rll}
f &= \text{38}\text{°} & (\text{tangent-chord}) \\
g &= \text{47}\text{°} & (\text{tangent-chord})
\end{array}\]
\[\begin{array}{rll}
i &= \text{180}\text{°} - \text{101}\text{°} - \text{39}\text{°} & (\angle
\text{s on str. line }) \\
\therefore i &= \text{40}\text{°} & \\
j &= \text{101}\text{°} & (\text{ tangent-chord}) \\
k = i &= \text{40}\text{°} & (\text{ tangent-chord})
\end{array}\]
\[\begin{array}{rll}
n &= \text{34}\text{°} & (\text{ tangent-chord}) \\
o &= \text{180}\text{°} - \text{90}\text{°} - \text{34}\text{°} & (\text{angles
sum } \triangle) \\
\therefore o &= \text{56}\text{°} & \\
m &= \text{56}\text{°} & (\text{ tangent-chord})
\end{array}\]
\[\begin{array}{rll}
q &= \text{52}\text{°} & (\text{ tangent-chord}) \\
p &= \text{90}\text{°} - \text{52}\text{°} & (\text{tangent perp. radius }) \\
\therefore p &= \text{38}\text{°} & \\
r &= \text{90}\text{°} & ( \angle \text{ in semi-circle})
\end{array}\]
\(O\) is the centre of the circle and \(SPT\) is a tangent, with \(OP \perp ST\). Determine \(a\),
\(b\) and \(c\), giving reasons.
\[\begin{array}{rll}
a &= \text{90}\text{°} - \text{64}\text{°} & (\text{tangent perp. radius}) \\
&= \text{26}\text{°} & \\
b &= \text{64}\text{°} & (\text{tangent chord}) \\
c &= 2 \times \text{64}\text{°} & (\angle\text{ at centre} = 2\angle \text{ at circum.}) \\
&= \text{128}\text{°} & \\
\end{array}\]
Given \(AB = AC\), \(AP \parallel BC\) and \(\hat{A}_2 = \hat{B}_2\). Prove:
\(PAL\) is a tangent to the circle \(ABC\).
\[\begin{array}{rll}
\hat{A}_1 &= A\hat{C}B & (\text{alt. angles}, AP \parallel BC) \\
A\hat{C}B &= A\hat{B}C & (\angle \text{s opp. equal sides }, AB = AC) \\
\therefore \hat{A}_1 &= A\hat{B}C & \\
\text{Therefore } PAL & \text{is a tangent to circle } ABC & (\angle\text{ between line chord} =
\angle\text{ in alt. seg.})
\end{array}\]
\(AB\) is a tangent to the circle \(ADP\).
\[\begin{array}{rll}
\hat{A}_2 &= \hat{B}_2 & (\text{ given }) \\
\text{And } A\hat{P}B &= \hat{B}_2 & (\text{alt. angles}, AP \parallel BC) \\
\text{Therefore } A\hat{P}B &= \hat{A}_2 ABC & \\
\text{Therefore } AB & \text{is a tangent to circle } ADP & (\angle\text{ between line chord} =
\angle\text{ in alt. seg.})
\end{array}\]
Converse: tangent-chord theorem
If a line drawn through the end point of a chord forms an angle equal to the angle subtended by the chord in
the alternate segment, then the line is a tangent to the circle.
(Reason: ∠ between line and chord =∠ in alt. seg. )
Worked example 8: Applying the theorems
BD is a tangent to the circle with centre O, with BO⊥AD.
Prove that:
CFOE is a cyclic quadrilateral
FB=BC
∠AˆOC=2BˆFC
Will DC be a tangent to the circle passing through C,F,O and E? Motivate your answer.
Prove CFOE is a cyclic quadrilateral by showing opposite angles are supplementary
BO⊥OD(given)∴FˆOE=90°FˆCE=90°(∠ in semi circle)∴CFOEis a cyclic quad.(opp. ∠s suppl.)
Prove BFC is an isosceles triangle
To show that FB=BC we first prove △BFC is an isosceles triangle by showing that
BˆFC=BˆCF.