CIRCLE THEOREM
NOTES
OBJECTIVES:
Theorem 5 Theorem 6
A tangent is perpendicular to a radius Tangents from a point are equal
A tangent is a straight line that touches the
circumference of a circle at only one point. The Two tangents on a circle that meet at a point outside the circle
angle between a tangent and the radius is 90°. are equal in length. So AC = BC
Theorem 5: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius
Example 1 Example 2
Find the value of the angle marked 𝑥. Find the value of the angle marked y.
Give reasons for your answer. Give reasons for your answer.
Reason 1: Base angles of an isosceles triangle are Reason 1: Angles on a straight line add to 180°.
equal 180° − 64° = 116°
. Reason 2: Angles in a triangle add to 180°.
Reason 2: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius. 180° − 116 = 64°
x =90 °− 52° Reason 3: Base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
64° ÷ 2 = 32°
Reason 3: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius
y = 90° − 32° = 58°
Theorem 6: Tangents from a point are equal
Example 3 Example 4
Find the value of the angle marked 𝑥. Find the value of the angle marked y.
Give reasons for your answer. Give reasons for your answer.
Reason 1: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius. Reason 1: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius.
Reason 2: Angles in a quadrilateral add to 360° Reason 2: Angles in a quadrilateral add to 360°
133° + 90° + 90° 66° + 90° + 90°
360° − 313° = 116° 360° − 246° = 114°
Reason 3: Angles around a point add to 360°
360° − 114° = 246°
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CIRCLE THEOREM
NOTES
EXAM QUESTIONS
Question 1 Question 2
A, B and C are points on the circumference of a circle, A, B and C are points on a circle, centre O. AOC and
centre O. AD is a tangent to the circle at A. CD is a tangent DOB are straight lines. CD is a tangent
to the circle at C. ∠ABC = 64°. Find ∠ADC°. to the circle at C. ∠DCO = 25°. Work out
the size of the angle 𝑥
Reason 1: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius.
Reason 1: The angle at the centre is twice the angle
at the circumference. Reason 2: Angles in a triangle add to 180o
64 o × 2 = 128o 180o− (90°+ 25o)
180°− 115o = 65o
Reason 2: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius.
Reason 3: Vertically opposite angles are equal
°
Reason 3: Angles in a quadrilateral add to 360
128° + 90° + 90° Reason 4: Base angles in an isosceles triangle are
360° − 308° = 52° equal.
180°− 65° = 115
115°÷ 2° = 57.5°
Question 3 Question 4
B, C, D and E are points on the circumference of a circle, AB and BC are tangents to the circle with centre O.
centre O. EOC is a diameter of the circle. AB is a tangent Find the size of the reflex angle, AOC.
to the circle at B. AE is a tangent to the circle at E.
∠BAE = 70o. Find ∠BDC.
Reason 1: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius.
Reason 1: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius. Reason 2: Angles in a quadrilateral add to 360°
4x + 180° = 360°
Reason 2: Angles in a quadrilateral add to 360° 4x = 180°
70° + 90° + 90° x = 45°
360° − 250° = 110° 45° + 90° + 90° = 225
360° − 225 = 135°
Reason 3: Angles on a straight line add to 180o Reason 3:Angles around a point add to 360°
180° − 110° = 70° 360° −135 = 225°
∴ ∠AOC = 225°
Reason 4: Angles in the same segment are equal.
x = 70°
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CIRCLE THEOREM
NOTES
Question 5 Question 6
M and N are points on the circumference of a circle, centre T, U and V are points on the circumference of a
O. PNQ is a tangent to the circle at N. circle, centre O. WVX is a tangent to the circle at V.
∠MNP = 𝑥. Prove that ∠MON = 2𝑥. ∠UOV = 134o and ∠TUO = 26o.
Find ∠TVX.
Reason 1: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius. Reason 1: Angles around a point add to 360°
Reason 2: Base angles in an isosceles triangle are Reason 2: The angle at the centre is twice the angle
equal. at the circumference.
134 o ÷ 2 = 67o
Reason 3: Angles in a triangle add to 180° Reason 3: Angles in a quadrilateral add to 360°
∠MON = 180° − 2(90 −x ) 360° − 134° = 226°
= 180° − 180° − 2x
= 2x Reason 4: A tangent is perpendicular to a radius.
∠TVX = 360° − (26 + 67 + 226 )
= 41°
= 90° − 41°
= 49°
∴ ∠TVX = 49°
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