Grade 12

Mathematics

Maths and Science Infinity

CAPS Syllabus
Euclidean Geometry
Similarity and Proportionality

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Thulani Mjikwa

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 CONCEPT HOW TO LEARN IT? RELEVANT FORMULAE AND KEYWORDS
Theorem 1: Learn and use Congruency; 90°; 𝐻; 𝑆 or 𝐴; 𝐴; 𝑆

Line segment Lookout for the midpoint, then conclude 90° at the
through centre, mid- midpoint.
point and converse.

Theorem 2:

Perpendicular
bisector of a chord.

This theorem brings a right-angle triangle in the Look out for the centre or midpoint on a chord as
picture, so Pythagoras is important and the well as mid-points of two sides of a triangle.
midpoint
(as in Analytical Geometry). Look out for the centre
Congruency to prove the theorem (Theorem 1).

The use of Pythagoras as this theorem brings along

90° angle and a right-angled triangle.

Ensure that two sides of a triangle are bisected by

the same line.

First Midpoint of a line, then 90° will follow.

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 You need to ensure that there is a centre and 90°,
then the line will pass through the centre.
If 𝐴̂ = 𝐵̂ and 𝐵̂ = 𝐶̂ , then 𝐴̂ = 𝐶̂

If 𝐴̂ + 𝐵̂ = 𝐶̂ and 𝐴̂ + 𝐷
̂ = 𝐶̂ , then 𝐵̂ = 𝐶̂ .

Applications of these rules without numerical values, that is given variables such as 𝑥 or 𝑦.

Expressing one variable in terms of the other information, that is changing the subject of the formula of the equation.

Substitution of equal quantities.

Theorem 3: Learn exterior angle of a triangle and properties of
an Isosceles triangle. The proof of this theorem is
Angle at centre is for examination purpose. (That is, it is a possible
twice angle at exam question).
circumference.

Diameter subtends
right angle at
circumference.

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Use the previous theorem or lookout for the centre,
diameter and the angle subtended by the line that
passes through the centre (diameter).

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 Arc: The angle at the centre and the one on the Centre
circle must be on the same arc or chord.

This is a special case of the above theorem; it also Centre

brings about a 90° angle into the picture a right-
angled triangle.

Always lookout for an arc that supports the angle

at
the centre, then look for the angle at the circle that
is also supported by the arc. (Think about subtend
or support, as a shouting mouth, shouting at the arc
or chord).

Opposite angles of a The proof of this theorem is for examination

cyclic purpose. For the proof use the theorem about the
Quadrilateral angle at the centre and a revolution.

Look out for the straight line coming from one of

Exterior angle of a the
cyclic quadrilateral. vertices of the cyclic quad.

Proving that a
quadrilateral is
cyclic.

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This theorem brings = 180° into the picture.
There are three options:

Lookout to see if you can have opposite angles of

a
quad = 180°, then that quad will be cyclic.

Lookout to see if you can have ext. angle of a quad

= interior opposite angle, then the quad will be
cyclic.

Lookout to see if you can have two angles that are

subtended by a line, then the four vertices will be a
cyclic quad.

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 Two properties of the cyclic quad.
Tan-chord theorem Proof for examination purposed. To prove: use the
diameter (angle at the centre), Tangent Radius
Tangents from same Theorem (Tan – Radius), sum of angles of a
point triangle and second logical reason of addition.

Tangent
perpendicular to
radius

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 Divide the circle at the point of contact (between Tangent (see solving riders).
the
chord and the tangent) to be able to identify the
alternate segment, then focus on the chord and
look for any angle that is supported by the chord in
the other segment.

Three properties of the tangent to a circle.

Solving riders Lookout for the key words connected to theorems

in
the explicitly given information, for instance,
centre
(connected theorems, include theorem 1, 2, angle
at
the centre together(diameter). Tangent (connected
theorems include, (tan-chord, tan-radius and
tangents drawn from the same point) and Cyclic
Quad. (Connected theorems, include opposite
angles are supplementary and ext. angle of a cyclic
quad = to the opposite interior angle).

Examine the implicitly given information from the

diagram, then make conclusion on what you get
from the diagram. Create a short list of statements
and reasons, see if you cannot make logical
conclusion from the list using important logical
reasoning.

Lookout for the angles on the same segment in the

diagram.

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 Lookout for angles on equal chords (the angles are
equal).

Then answer the questions.

See above Solving riders.

The more you practice, the better you become.

Theorem 1: For examination purpose. Remember that a

triangle can have its height inside the triangle or
Line drawn parallel outside the triangle. The area of triangle between
to one side of parallel lines and share a base have the equal area.
triangle.
After the constructions rotate the two sides that are
not parallel to any of the lines so that it is
The midpoint horizontal,
theorem you will see the heights that are being shared by
different triangles.

Lookout for the midpoint of two sides of the

triangle.

Properties (the conclusion of the theorem, the part that follows the word then in the theorem) of the theorem.

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Theorem 2: Examination purpose. Use congruency 𝑆: 𝐴: 𝑆 to create a line parallel to one side of a triangle, so that you can form
proportions using one triangle.
Equiangular triangles
are similar. Application: Remember that this theorem requires that you use more than one triangle and the order in naming the
triangles is also important as well.
Otherwise, lookout for corresponding sides to prove similarity.

∆ABC|||∆DEF

Do plenty of examples.
Theorem of Proof is not required for examination purpose.
Pythagoras Otherwise, first write down the sum of the squares
of the two side = the square of the hypotenuse.

Then look out for either equal sides from the

diagram or the sum of two sides making one side.
Do plenty of examples.
Proportion Work with one triangle

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Similarity Work with two triangles. Remember after
similarity (equiangular) you also get proportion, in
this case use
two triangles. If asked to prove proportion look for
the allocated marks, if the marks are at least 5,
then start by proving similarity using (equiangular)
by rearranging the proportion as follows, the first
side on the right becomes the denominator on the
left and the second side on the left becomes the
denominator on the right, in that way you the
numerators come from the same triangle and the
denominators come from the second triangle.
E.g. if asked to prove: 𝐴𝐵 × 𝑃𝑄 = 𝑃𝑅 × 𝐵𝐶
Then rearranging becomes:

𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶
=
𝑃𝑅 𝑃𝑄
so that the triangles are triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 the
numerators and triangle 𝑃𝑄𝑅 from the
denominators.

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Activity 1
In ∆PQW, S is a point on PW and R is a point on QW such that SR||PQ. T is a point on QW such
that ST||PR. RT = 6 cm, WS: SP = 3: 2.

Calculate:
1.1 WT (3)
1.2 WQ (4)
[7]
Activity 2
In ∆ADF, DF||CE and CF||BE. If AB = 4 units and BC = 6 units.

Calculate:
2.1 The length of CD. (3)
Area of ∆FEC
2.2 The numerical value of: Area of ∆FAD (4)

[7]
Activity 3
In the diagram, TRP is a straight with TP = 4,5 units, Q and S are points on TR and PR
respectively. QR = 9,6 units, QS = 4 units, TS = 3,6 units, PS = 1,5 units and SR = 12 units.

3.1 Prove that PT is a tangent to the circle which passes through the points T, S and R. (7)
3.2 Calculate the length of TQ. (5)
[12]

Activity 4
In the diagram below, P is the midpoint of AC in ∆ABC. R is a point on AB such that RS||BP
AR 3
and = . RC cuts at T.
AB 5

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Determine, giving reasons, the following ratios:
AS
4.1 (4)
SC
RT
4.2 (3)
TC

Area of ∆RSA
4.3 (2)
Area of ∆RSC
Area of ∆TPC
4.4 (4)
Area of ∆RSC

[11]
Activity 5
In the diagram, ADE is a triangle having BC||ED and AE||GF. It is also given AB: BE = 1: 3,
AC = 3 units, EF = 6 units, FD = 3 units and CG = 𝑥 units.

Calculate, giving reasons:

5.1 The length of CD. (3)
5.2 The value of 𝑥. (4)
5.3 The length of BC. (5)
Area of ∆ABC
5.4 The value: Area of ∆GFD (5)

[17]

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Activity 6
PA 4 PB 1
= 9 and BR = 2. BC||RA.
PQ

Determine:
6.1 BD: DQ (5)
Area of ∆PRA
6.2 (3)
Area of ∆QRA

Area of ∆BQC
6.3 (6)
Area of ∆RPQ

[14]

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Activity 7
D and E are points on sides AB and BC respectively of ∆ABC such that AD: DB = 2: 3 and
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BE = 3 EC. If DK||AE and AE and CD intersect at P, find the ratio of CP: PD.

[5]
Activity 8
In the diagram below, the circle with centre O is drawn. OQ is drawn parallel to a tangent to the
circle at D. ER is drawn with S on OQ. RD is produced to P and PQ is joined.
2
PE = 𝑥 units, PQ = 𝑥 + 9 units, PD = 𝑥 units and DO = 𝑥 + 3 units.
3

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8.1 Calculate the length of RO. (4)
8.2 If OS = 1,4 units and S is the midpoint of ER, determine the length of DE. (2)
8.3 If the area of ∆PED = 2,7 units 2 , find the area of ∆PER. (4)
[10]
Activity 9
In the diagram, ABC is a tangent to the circle at B. BDEF is a cyclic quadrilateral with
DB = BF. BE is drawn and ED produced meets the tangent at A.

Prove that:

9.1 ̂1 = E
B ̂2 (3)

9.2 ∆BDA|||∆EFB (4)

9.3 BD2 = AD. EF (2)

[9]

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Activity 10
In the diagram below, NPQR is a cyclic quadrilateral with S, a point on PR. N and S are joined
and RN̂ S = PN
̂ Q = 𝑥.

Prove that:
10.1 ∆NSR|||∆NPQ (3)
10.2 ∆NQR|||∆NPS (3)
[5]

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Activity 11
In the diagram below, DA is a tangent to the circle ACBT at A. CT and AD are produced to meet
at P. BT is produced to cut PA at D. AC, CB, AB and AT are joined. AC||BD. ̂ 1 = 𝑥.
Let A

11.1 Prove that ∆ABC|||∆ADT. (6)

11.2 Prove that PT is a tangent to the circle ADT at T. (3)
11.3 Prove that ∆ATP|||∆TDP. (3)
2
11.4 If AD = AP, show that AP 2 = 3PT 2 . (4)
3

[16]

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Activity 12
In the diagram, FBOE is a diameter of a circle with centre O. Chord EC produced meets line BA
at A, outside the circle. D is the midpoint of CE. OD and FC are drawn. AFBC is a cyclic
quadrilateral.

Prove, with reasons, that:

12.1 FC||OD (5)

12.2 ̂ E = BA
DO ̂E (4)
[9]

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Activity 13
̂ = 𝑥 and
AP is a tangent to the circle at P. CP||DP and CB = DP. CBA is a straight line. Let D
Ĉ2 = 𝑦.

Prove, with reasons that:

13.1 ∆APC|||∆ABP (4)
13.2 AP 2 = AB × AC (1)
13.3 ∆APC|||∆CDP (4)
[9]

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Activity 14
In the diagram below, PWUT is a cyclic quadrilateral with WU = TU. Chord WT and PU
intersect at Q. PW is extended to S such that US||TW.

Prove that:
14.1 US is a tangent to the circle PWUT at U. (5)
14.2 ∆SPU|||∆SUW (4)
[9]

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Activity 15
In the diagram below, ST is a tangent to circle TRP. PT is a diameter, SRQP is a secant. K is a
point on PT such that PK: KT = 1: 2 and PR = √18 units and PQ = √2 units.

15.1 Prove that:

15.1.1 RT||QK (4)
15.1.2 TKQS is a cyclic quadrilateral. (5)
15.1.3 ∆QRT|||∆KTS (4)
[13]

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Activity 16
In the diagram, W is a point on circle with centre O. V is a point on OW, Chord MN is drawn
such that MV = VN. The tangent at W meets OM produced at T and ON produced at S.

16.1 Give a reason why OV ⊥ MN. (1)

16.2 Prove that:
16.2.1 MN||TS (2)
16.2.2 TMNS is a cyclic quadrilateral. (4)
[7]

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Activity 17
In the diagram, LK is a diameter of the circle with centre P. RNS is a tangent to the circle at N. T
is a point on NK and TP ⊥ KL. PL̂N = 𝑥.

17.1 Prove that TPLN is a cyclic quadrilateral. (3)

17.2 ̂ 1 in terms of 𝑥.
Determine, giving reasons, the size on N (3)
17.3 Prove that:
∆KTP|||∆KLN (3)
[9]

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Activity 18
In the diagram, ST and VT are tangents to the circle at S and V respectively. P is a point on the
circle and W is a point on chord PS such that WT is parallel to PV. SV and WV are drawn. WT
intersects SV at K. Let Ŝ2 = 𝑥.

18.1 Write down, with reasons, THREE other angles each equal to 𝑥. (6)
18.2 Prove, with reasons, that:
18.2.1 WSTV is a cyclic quadrilateral. (2)
18.2.2 ∆WPV is isosceles (4)
18.2.3 ∆WPV |||∆TSV (3)
[15]

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