20.

GEOMETRY OF THE CIRCLE

PARTS OF THE CIRCLE Segments

When we speak of a circle we may be referring to the

plane figure itself or the boundary of the shape,
called the circumference. In solving problems
involving the circle, we must be familiar with several
theorems. In order to understand these theorems, we
review the names given to parts of a circle.

Diameter and chord

The region that is encompassed between an arc and

a chord is called a segment.
The region between the chord and the minor arc is
called the minor segment.
The region between the chord and the major arc is
called the major segment.
If the chord is a diameter, then both segments are
equal and are called semi-circles.

The straight line joining any two points on the

circle is called a chord. Sectors
A diameter is a chord that passes through the
center of the circle. It is, therefore, the longest
possible chord of a circle.
In the diagram, O is the center of the circle, AB is a
diameter and PQ is also a chord.

Arcs

The region that is enclosed by any two radii and an

arc is called a sector.
If the region is bounded by the two radii and a
minor arc, then it is called the minor sector.
If the region is bounded by two radii and the major
arc, it is called the major sector.

An arc of a circle is the part of the circumference

of the circle that is cut off by a chord. The shorter
length is called the minor arc and the longer length
is called the major arc. If the chord PQ is a
diameter, the arcs are equal in length and in this
special case, there are no minor or major arcs.

186
The tangent of a circle Theorem 2

The straight line is drawn from the center of a

circle to the midpoint of a chord

is perpendicular to the chord.

Any straight line that ‘just touches’ a circle at only

one point, is called the tangent to the circle at that
point. There can be only one tangent drawn to a
circle at a point.

CIRCLE THEOREMS
AB is a chord of a circle, center O.
Since OM bisects the chord AB, M is the midpoint
A theorem is a statement of geometrical truth that has
of the chord AB. Hence, OM is perpendicular to
been proven from facts already proven or assumed. In
AB, that is
our study of theorems at this level, we will not
present the proofs. For convenience, the theorems OMˆ A = OMˆ B = 90° .
presented below are numbered from 1-9. When
referring to a theorem, we must be careful to quote it
fully which is called its general enunciation.
Theorem 3
Theorem 1

A diameter subtends a right angle at the

The straight line drawn from the center of a circumference of a circle.
circle and perpendicular to a chord must bisect OR
the chord. The angle is a semi-circle is a right angle.

AB is a chord of a circle, center O. AB is a diameter of the circle and C is a point on

If OM is perpendicular to AB, then OM bisects AB. the circumference. Hence,
and AM = BM. ∠𝐴𝐶𝐵 = 90(

187
Theorem 4 Theorem 5

The angles subtended by a chord at the The angle subtended by a chord at the center of a
circumference of a circle and standing on the circle is twice the angle that the chord subtends at
same arc are equal. the circumference, standing on the same arc.

AB is a chord. X and Y are two points on the AB is a chord of the circle, center O. C lies on the
circumference, in the same segment. Hence circumference. The angle subtended at the center is
AXˆB = AYˆB AOˆ B . The angle subtended at the circumference
It is important to note that the angles subtended by is ACˆ B . Hence,
the chord, in the other or alternate segment, are AOˆ B = 2 ACˆB.
also equal to each other.
This theorem is also applicable to the reflex angle
AOB, but in this case, it will be twice the angle
subtended by AB in the alternate segment.

Note that angles in the same segment are equal

once they stand on the same chord.

The angles labelled as x are in the major segment

and the angles labelled y are in the minor segment
of this circle. Note that the reflex angle AO ˆ B is twice the angle
in the alternate segment. That is
Note also that x is not equal to y. Reflex ∠AOB = 2 × ADB

188
Theorem 6 Theorem 8

The two tangents that can be drawn to a circle from

The opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral are a point outside the circle are equal in length.
supplementary.

In the above diagram, OA and OB are the two

tangents drawn from an external point, O.

A cyclic quadrilateral has all of its four vertices on Therefore OA = OB.

the circumference of a circle.
Supplementary angles add up to 1800. Since A, B,
C and D all lie on the circumference of the circle,
Theorem 9
Aˆ + Cˆ = Bˆ + Dˆ = 180°
The converse is also true. That is, if the opposite
angles of a quadrilateral are supplementary, the
The angle formed by the tangent to a circle and a
quadrilateral is cyclic.
chord, at the point of contact, is equal to the
angle in the alternate segment.
Theorem 7

The angle formed by the tangent to a circle and a

radius, at the point of contact, is a right angle.

In the above diagram, BAT is the angle between

the tangent SAT and chord, AB at A, the point of
contact. Angle ACB is the angle in the alternate
segment.

Therefore ∠BAT = ∠ACB

O is the center of the circle.
SAT is the tangent to the circle at A.
Therefore,

OAˆ T = OAˆ S = 90°

189
Example 1 Solution

In the figure below, AB is a chord of a circle,

center O and M is the midpoint of AB. If AB is 8
ACˆB = 90°
(The angle in a semi-circle is equal to 90º)
cm and OM is 3 cm, find the length of the radius
of the circle. Hence, x° + 2x° + 90° = 180°
(Sum of angles in a triangle is equal to 180º)
3 x° = 90°
x = 30

Example 3

AB is a chord of a circle, center O and

AOˆ B = 140°. Calculate the value of q .

Solution
If M is the midpoint of AB, then MB = 8cm ÷ 2 =
4 𝑐𝑚.
Let radius of the circle, OB, be r, then
OMˆ B = 90°
(The straight line drawn from the center of a circle
to the midpoint of a chord is perpendicular to the
chord).
By Pythagoras’ theorem:
𝑟 1 = (3)1 + (4)1
𝑟 1 = 9 + 16 = 25 Solution
𝑟 = √25=5
The radius of the circle is 5 cm
ˆ = 140°
AOB
Example 2 AOˆ B(reflex) = 360° - 140°
In the figure below, AOB is a diameter of the circle = 220°
and C lies on the circumference. If CAˆ B = x° and 1
\ ACˆ B = (220°)
CBˆ A = 2x°, find the value of x. 2
= 110°
(The angle subtended by a chord at the center of a
circle is twice the angle that the chord subtends at the
circumference, standing on the same arc).

190
Example 4 Solution
ˆB = 63° .
In the circle AEBCD, the angle AC
Calculate the size of the angle
i. ADˆ B
ii. AEˆ B

∠𝑂𝐷𝐴 = 2𝑥 Base angles of an isosceles

triangle are equal (OA = OD
radii)
∠𝐷𝐵𝑇 = 2𝑥 Angle formed by the tangent
(BT)to a circle and a chord (BD)
at the point of contact is equal to
the angle in the alternate
segment (Angle BAD)
OA = OC, Radii of a circle are equal in
Therefore, length
Solution ∠𝐴𝐶𝑂 = 𝑥 Base angles of the isosceles
triangle ACO are equal.
∠𝐴𝐷𝐵 = 63( (Angles subtended by the same chord ∠𝐶𝑂𝐵 = 2𝑥 The angle at the center of a
in the same segment are equal). circle (angle COB) is twice that
at the circumference, standing
∠𝐴𝐸𝐵 = 1800− 630 (angle CAB) on the same arc.
= 1170 (Opposite angles of a cyclic OR
quadrilateral are supplementary) Exterior angle of a triangle
(angle COB) = sum of the
interior opposite angles (angle
Example 5 OCA + OAC)

AOB is a diameter of a circle, center O and SBT is Example 6

the tangent at B. C and D are points on the
circumference such that: In the figure, AOD is a diameter of a circle, center
∠𝐶𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥 ( and ∠𝑂𝐴𝐷 = 2𝑥 (. O. ABCDE is a pentagon inscribed in the circle.
Name, and state reasons, three angles, other than AD is produced to F and CD ˆ F = 136° Find the
the given angle that are equal to 2𝑥 ( .. size of
(i) ˆ A(iii) ABˆ C
AEˆ D (ii) CD

191
Solution Example 8

ˆD = 90° In the diagram below, not drawn to scale, O is

(i) AE the center of a circle. SK and AF are parallel,
(The angle in a semi-circle is equal to 90º) ∠𝐾𝑆𝑊 = 62( and ∠𝑆𝐴𝐹 = 54(

ˆ A = 180° - 136° = 440

(ii) CD
(The angles in a straight line total 180º)

ˆ C = 180° - 44° = 1360

(iii) AB
(Opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral are
supplementary)

Example 7

The diagram below, not drawn to scale, shows a Calculate, giving reasons for your answer, the
circle with center, O. measure of:
EA and EB are tangents to the circle and angle
(i) ∠𝐹𝐴𝑊 (ii) ∠𝑆𝐾𝐹 (iii) ∠𝐴𝑆𝑊
AEB = 480.

Solution

Calculate, giving reasons for your answer, the size

of EACH of the following angles:
(i) ∠OAE (ii) ∠𝐴OB (iii) ∠ACB
(iv) ∠ADB

Solution
(i) ∠OAE = 90° (i) ∠𝑆𝐴𝑊 = 90( (the angle in a semi-circle is 90°)
(The angle formed by a tangent to a circle and a Therefore, ∠𝐹𝐴𝑊 = 90( − 54( = 36(
radius, at the point of contact is equal to 90°, so
too, angle OBE= 90°). (ii) Consider the cyclic quadrilateral SKFA
∠𝑆𝐾𝐹 = 180( − 54( = 126(
(ii) ∠𝐴OB = 3600 – (90°+90°+48°) = 132° (The opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral are
supplementary)
(iii) ∠ACB = ½ (1320) = 660
(The angle at the center of a circle is twice that at (iii) The angles KSA and SAF are co-interior
the circumference, standing on the same arc). opposite angles and are therefore supplementary.

(iv) ∠𝐴𝐷𝐵 = 180( − 66( = 114( Therefore 540 + 620 + angle ASW = 1800
(The opposite angles of cyclic quadrilateral are And ∠𝐴𝑆𝑊 = 180( − (54 ( + 62 ( ) =64
supplementary).

192