CIRCLE GEOMETRY

Terminology
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 (rr) — 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.
Axioms
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
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”.

THEOREM 1
PERPENDICULAR LINE FROM CIRCLE CENTRE BISECTS CHORD
STATEMENT
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)
Given:
Circle with centre O and line OP perpendicular to chord AB.

Required:

AP = PB
Proof
Draw OA and OB.
In △OPA and in △OPB,
OA2 = OP 2 + AP 2 (Pythagoras)
OB 2 = OP 2 + BP 2 (Pythagoras)
and
OA = OB (equal radii)
∴ AP 2 = 𝐵𝑃2
∴= AP = BP
Therefore OP bisects AB.
Alternative proof:
In △OPA and in △OPB,
̂ = 𝑂𝑃𝐵
OPA ̂ (given OP ⊥ AB)
OA = OB (equal radii)
OP = OP (common side)
∴△ OPA ≡△ OPB(RHS)
∴ 𝐴𝑃 = 𝑃𝐵
Therefore OP bisects AB.
THEOREM 2
(PROOF NOT FOR EXAMS) Converse: Line from circle centre to mid-point of chord is
perpendicular
STATEMENT
If a line is drawn from the center of a circle to the mid-point of a chord, then the line is
perpendicular to the chord.
(Reason: line from center to mid-point ⊥)
Given:

Circle with center O and line OP to mid-point P on chord AB.

Required:
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)
 ̂ = 𝑂𝑃𝐵
∴𝑂𝑃𝐴 ̂
̂ + 𝑂𝑃𝐵
and 𝑂𝑃𝐴 ̂ = 180° (∠ on str. line)
̂ = 𝑂𝑃𝐵
∴𝑂𝑃𝐴 ̂ = 90°
Therefore 𝑂𝑃 ⊥ 𝐴𝐵.
THEOREM 3
Perpendicular bisector of chord passes through circle centre
STATEMENT
If the perpendicular bisector of a chord is drawn, then the line will pass through the
center of the circle.
(Reason: ⊥ bisector through center)

GIVEN:
Circle with mid-point P on chord AB.
̂ = 𝑄𝑃𝐵
Line QP is drawn such that 𝑄𝑃𝐴 ̂ = 90°.
̂ = 𝑅𝑃𝐵
Line RP is drawn such that 𝑅𝑃𝐴 ̂ = 90°.

REQUIRED:
Circle center O lies on the line PR
Proof:
Draw lines QA and QB.
Draw lines RA and RB.
In △QPA and in △QPB,
AP = 𝑃𝐵(given)
QP = QP (common side)
̂ = 𝑄𝑃𝐵
𝑄𝑃𝐴 ̂ = 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 center 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.

SOLUTION:
Step 1.
Use theorems and the given information to find all equal angles and sides on the
diagram
𝑃𝑄 = 𝑄𝑅 = 4(⊥ from center bisects chord)
Step 2
Solve for 𝒙
In △OQP:
PQ = 4 ⊥ from centre bisects chord)
OP 2 = 𝑂𝑄2 + 𝑄𝑃2 (Pythagoras)
52 = 𝑥 2 + 42
∴ 𝑥 2 = 25 − 16
∴ 𝑥2 = 9
𝑥=3
Step 3.
Write the final answer
𝑥 = 3 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠.
EXERCISES

In the circle with center O, OQ⊥PR, OQ=4 units and PR=10. Determine 𝑥.

In the circle with centre O and radius =10 units, OQ⊥PR and PR=8. Determine 𝑥.

In the circle with centre O, OQ⊥PR, PR=12 units and SQ=2 units. Determine 𝑥.
In the circle with centre O, OT⊥SQ, OT⊥PR, OP=10 units, ST=5 units and PU=8 units.
Determine TU.

In the circle with center O, OT⊥QP, OS⊥PR, OT=5units, PQ=24 units and PR=25 units.
Determine OS = x.
INVESTIGATION
Angles subtended by an arc at the center 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 4
Angle at the center of a circle is twice the size of the angle at the circumference
STATEMENT
If an arc subtends an angle at the Centre of a circle and at the circumference, then the
angle at the center is twice the size of the angle at the circumference.
(Reason: ∠ at centre =2∠ at circum.)
Given:

̂ at the center of the circle, and 𝐴𝑃𝐵

Circle with center O, arc AB subtending 𝐴𝑂𝐵 ̂ at the
circumference.

Required:
̂ = 2APB
AOB ̂
PROOF
̂=𝑂
Draw PO extended to Q and let 𝐴𝑂𝑄 ̂1 and 𝐵𝑂𝑄
̂ =𝑂̂2
̂1 = 𝐴𝑃𝑂
𝑂 ̂ + 𝑃𝐴𝑂
̂ (ext. ∠△=sum int. opp. ∠s)
̂ = 𝑃𝐴𝑂
and 𝐴𝑃𝑂 ̂ (equal radii, isosceles △APO)
̂1 = 𝐴𝑃𝑂
∴𝑂 ̂ + 𝐴𝑃𝑂
̂
̂1 = 2𝐴𝑃𝑂
𝑂 ̂
Similarly, we can also show that
̂2 = 2𝐵𝑃𝑂
𝑂 ̂
For the first two diagrams shown above we have that:

̂=𝑂
𝐴𝑂𝐵 ̂1 + 𝑂
̂2 = 2𝐴𝑃𝑂
̂ + 2𝐵𝑃𝑂
̂ = 2(𝐴𝑃𝑂
̂ + 𝐵𝑃𝑂
̂)
̂ = 2𝐴𝑃𝐵
∴ 𝐴𝑂𝐵 ̂
And for the last diagram:
̂ =𝑂
𝐴𝑂𝐵 ̂2 − 𝑂
̂1 = 2𝐵𝑃𝑂
̂ − 2𝐴𝑃𝑂
̂ = 2(𝐵𝑃𝑂
̂ − 𝐴𝑃𝑂
̂)
̂ = 2𝐴𝑃𝐵
∴ 𝐴𝑂𝐵 ̂
WORKED EXAMPLE 2:
ANGLE AT THE CENTRE OF CIRCLE IS TWICE ANGLE AT CIRCUMFERENCE
QUESTION
Given HK, the diameter of the circle passing through centre O.

SOLUTION:
Step 1.
Use theorems and the given information to find all equal angles and sides on the
diagram
Step 2.
Solve for a
In △HJK:
̂ = 180° (∠ on str. line)
𝐻𝑂𝐾
= 2𝑎 (∠ at centre =2∠ at circum.)
∴ 2𝑎 = 180°
180°
𝑎=
2
= 90°
Step 3.
Conclusion
The diameter of a circle subtends a right angle at the circumference (angles in a semi-
circle).
EXERCISES
Given O is the center of the circle, determine the unknown angle in each of the following
diagrams:
INVESTIGATION
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 𝐴𝑃𝐵

̂.
Draw AQ and BQ and measure 𝐴𝑄𝐵
What do you observe? Make a conjecture about these types of angles.
THEOREM 5
Subtended angles in the same segment of a circle are equal
STATEMENT
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.)
GIVEN
Circle with centre O, and points P and Q on the circumference of the circle.
̂ and 𝐴𝑄𝐵
Arc AB subtends 𝐴𝑃𝐵 ̂ in the same segment of the circle.

REQUIRED
̂ = 𝑨𝑸𝑩
𝑨𝑷𝑩 ̂
PROOF:
̂ = 𝟐𝑨𝑷𝑩
𝑨𝑶𝑩 ̂ (∠ at centre =2∠ at circum.)
̂ = 𝟐𝑨𝑸𝑩
𝑨𝑶𝑩 ̂ (∠ at centre =2∠ at circum.)
̂ = 𝟐𝑨𝑸𝑩
∴ 𝟐𝑨𝑷𝑩 ̂
̂ = 𝑨𝑸𝑩
𝑨𝑷𝑩 ̂
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.
EXERCISES
Find the values of the unknown angles.
2.
EXERCISES
Find the values of the unknown angles.
2. prove that ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral:
SUMMARY
Arc An arc is a portion of the circumference of a circle.
Chord - a straight line joining the ends of an arc.
Circumference - 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
the length of 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 A segment is a 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.
A tangent line is perpendicular to the radius, drawn at the point of contact with the circle.
EXERCISES

AOC is a diameter of the circle with centre O.

̂ = 𝐶𝑂𝐷
F is the mid-point of chord EC. 𝐵𝑂𝐶 ̂ and 𝐵̂ = 𝑥.
Express the following angles in terms of 𝑥, stating reasons:
1. 𝐴̂
̂
2. 𝐶𝑂𝐷
̂
3. 𝐷
D, E, F and G are points on circle with centre M.
̂ ̂2 = 51° .
𝐹1 = 7° and𝐷
Determine the sizes of the following angles, stating reasons:
̂1
1. 𝑀
̂1
2. 𝐷
̂2
3. 𝐹
4. 𝐺̂
̂1
5. 𝐸
O is a point on the circle with centre M. O is also the centre of a second circle. DA cuts
̂1 = 𝑥.
the smaller circle at C and 𝐷
Express the following angles in terms of xx, stating reasons:

̂2
1. 𝐷
̂
2. 𝑂𝐴𝐵
̂
3. 𝑂𝐵𝐴
̂
4. 𝐴𝑂𝐵
5. 𝐶̂
O is the centre of the circle with radius 5 cm and chord BC=8 cm. Calculate the lengths
of:

1. OM
2. AM
3. AB