Circle Theorems

Circle Theorems
 Circle Theorem Proofs –
Recap of Laws

Semi-Circle
Centre
Cyclic Quadrilateral
Same Segment
Alternate Segment
Tangents
 Parts of the Circle
Ta
Circumference ng
Major Arc en
t

radius

Major Segment
diameter

n t
ge chord
Tan
Minor Segment

Major Sector

Minor Arc

Minor Sector
Tangent
Parts
 HOME

Angle in a Semi-Circle

Angle in a semi-circle
is 90°
PROOF: HOME
- First, draw a radius

=> 2 Isosceles Triangles

- Label an angle

x°
= (180 – x)/2
= 90 - ½x
= 180 – x

= (180 - (180 –
x))/2
= 90° = ½x
=> Angle in a semi-circle is 90°
(or simply apply ‘angle at Q.E.D
 HOME

Angle at the centre

x°
Angle at the centre is
double the angle at
the circumference
2x°
PROOF: HOME
- First, draw a radius
=> 2 Isosceles Triangles

= (180 – x)/2

y° x° = (180 – y)/2

= 180 – ½x –
½y
= 360 – y -
x
=> Angle at the centre double angle at
the circumference
Q.E.D
 HOME
Opposite Angles in a Cyclic
Quadrilateral

Opposite angles in a
2y
cyclic quadrilateral
2x add up to 180°

y
PROOF: HOME

x First, draw in radii

apply ‘angle at centre’

2y
2x 2x + 2y = 360º

y
2(x + y) = 360º
x + y = 180º

=> Opposite Angles in a Cyclic

Quadrilateral
add up to 180°
Q.E.D
 HOME

Angles in Same Segment

Angles created by
triangles are equal if
they are in the same
segment
PROOF: HOME

- First, draw in radii

PROOF: HOME

- First, draw in radii

x apply ‘angle at centre’

2x
PROOF: HOME

- First, draw in radii

y
x apply ‘angle at centre’

=> 2x = 2y
2y x=y

=> Angles in same segment are equal

Q.E.D
 HOME

Alternate Segment Theorem

Angle between a tangent

and a chord is equal to the
C ho r

angle at the circumference

d
or
d

in the alternate segment

Ch

Tangent
PROOF: HOME
Start with two of the circle
theorems

Angle in a semi Angle between a

circle is 90° tangent and the
radius is always 90°
and now combine them
PROOF: HOME

Label an angle For cases when chord

isn’t a diameter?

90-x

Simply in
=> Angles apply ‘samesegments
alternate segment’ are
theorem
equal
Q.E.D
 HOME

Lengths of Tangents
A

Tangents to a circle
which meet at a point
are equal in length
B (AC = CB)
PROOF: HOME
- Connect meeting point to centre
- Draw radii in
apply ‘angle between tangent and radius’
A
x2 - r2

r C
x

O
x2 - r2
r

B => Tangents equal in length

Q.E.D
 HOME

Perpendicular Tangents

The angle between a

tangent and a radius is 90
degrees
O
 Circle Theorem Proofs –
Summary
Semi-Circle
Centre
Cyclic Quadrilateral
Same Segment
Alternate Segment
Tangents
 Question Time
• Questions on the following slides suitable for
students sitting the new 9 1 specification
• Questions get more challenging as we proceed
• Remember to show all your working and state
the rule you have applied (e.g. same segment
theorem)
• Answers are provided on slides following
questions
• Good Luck
Exam Style Questions
Example
Summary of Answers to follow.

Please check previous slides for the worked

solutions.