Mathematics

Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

LESSON 9.3
Properties of Central and Inscribed Angles
Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Test Your Prerequisite Skills 2

DepEd Competencies 2

Objectives 3

Warm-Up! 3

Learn about It! 4

Let’s Practice 8

Check Your Understanding 16

Key Points 18

Bibliography 18
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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

Lesson 9.3
Properties of Central and Inscribed
Angles

Fig. 1. A Ferris Wheel

Introduction
Have you ever been to a Ferris wheel? It is exciting to ride such a huge ride, but those who
are operating this ride must be very careful in managing this. If the ride malfunctions, it could
endanger the lives of the passengers. Thus, engineers must inspect this ride often to ensure
the safety of the passengers. One consideration that they must have is that the beams of the
ride should be in their correct position.

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

The two beams that are attached to the Ferris wheel make sure that the wheel is stable. Have
you ever wondered what is the measure of the angle that the two beams form? How about
the measure of the intercepted arc? To determine this, you can apply the concepts of central
and inscribed angles.

In this lesson, you will learn about the properties of central and inscribed angles.

Test Your Prerequisite Skills

Before you get started, answer the following items on a separate sheet of paper. This will help
you assess your prior knowledge and practice some skills that you will need in studying this
lesson. Show your complete solution.

A. Give either the complement or supplement of the given angle, whichever is asked.
1. complement of 89°
2. supplement of 126°
3. supplement of 24°
4. complement of 43°
5. supplement of 157°

DepEd Competencies
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Prove theorems related to chords, arcs, central angles, and inscribed

angles (M10GE-IIc-d-1).

● Solve problems on circles (M10GE-IIf-2).

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Define the Inscribed Angle and Semicircle Theorems.

● State the proof of Inscribed Angle and Semicircle Theorems.

● Find angle and arc measures using the properties of central and inscribed
angles.

● Solve word problems involving central and inscribed angles.

Warm-Up!

Stick-y Solutions 2

Materials
● barbecue sticks (preferably easy to break)
● paper
● pencil
● compass
● ruler
● protractor

Instructions
1. Before starting, make sure that you are working with the same partner from Lesson
2, and you have recorded your scores in the previous activity for updating in the
current activity.

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

2. Take note that whenever a question is asked in the steps, you and your partner will
first make a guess before measuring the indicated item. Whoever guessed closest
to the actual value gets one point.
3. To start, draw a circle. Locate the center of the circle and choose two points on the
circle and connect each to the center to form a central angle. Measure the angle
formed.
4. Choose another point different from the points you chose in Step 3.
5. Connect each of the points you chose in Step 3 to the point you chose in Step 4. You
should have formed an inscribed angle.
Question: What do you think is the measure of this angle?
Measure the angle and determine who between you and your partner gets one
point.
6. Measure out a stick that is as long as the diameter of the circle you drew.
7. Measure out another stick that is shorter than the diameter and position it in such
a way that one of its ends is also one of the ends of the diameter, and the other
end is on the circumference of the circle.
Question: How long do you think another stick should be to connect the loose ends of
the figure formed by the sticks?
Measure the distance using a ruler and measure out a stick to complete the figure.
You should be forming a triangle. Determine who scores.
8. Make sure you keep track of your scores as they will be used in the next activity.

Learn about It!

Recall from the previous lesson that a central angle is an angle whose vertex is the center of
the circle. If the vertex of an angle is a point on the circle, then that angle is referred to as an
inscribed angle.

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

In the given figure, ∠𝑄𝑂𝑃 is a central angle while ∠𝑄𝑅𝑃 is an inscribed angle of circle 𝑂.

Inscribed Angle Theorem

Theorem 3.1: Inscribed Angle Theorem

The measure of an inscribed angle is half the measure
of its intercepted arc or the central angle.

Theorem 3.1 is demonstrated in the first part of the Warm-Up! activity of this lesson. When
you measure an inscribed angle, it should be half the measure of the central angle you initially
drew.

To prove this theorem, suppose we have a circle whose center is 𝑂. Points 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 lies on
the circle and chords 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵𝐶 are drawn such that ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 is inscribed in circle 𝑂. We need
to prove that the measure of ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 is half the measure of the intercepted minor arc 𝐴𝐶.

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Statement Reason
1. Circle 𝑂 has an inscribed angle ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶. Given

2. 𝑂𝐴 and 𝑂𝐶 are radii of Circle 𝑂 Definition of a Radius

3. Draw diameter 𝐵𝐷 Construction

4. 𝑂𝐴 ≅ 𝑂𝐵 All radii of a circle are congruent.

5. ∆𝑂𝐴𝐵 is an isosceles triangle. Definition of isosceles triangle
6. ∠𝑂𝐴𝐵 ≅ ∠𝑂𝐵𝐴 Isosceles Triangle Theorem
7. 𝑚∠𝑂𝐴𝐵 = 𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐴 Definition of congruent angles
8. 𝑚∠𝐴𝑂𝐷 = 𝑚∠𝑂𝐴𝐵 + 𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐴 Exterior Angle Theorem
9. 𝑚∠𝐴𝑂𝐷 = 2𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐴 Substitution

10. 𝑚∠𝐴𝑂𝐷 = 𝑚 𝐴𝐷
⏜ Central Angle Postulate

11. 𝑚 𝐴𝐷
⏜ = 2𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐴 Substitution
1
12. 𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐴 = 2 𝑚 𝐴𝐷
⏜ Multiplication Property of Equality

We will then repeat the whole process for ∠𝑂𝐵𝐶.

Statement Reason

13. 𝑂𝐵 ≅ 𝑂𝐶 All radii of a circle are congruent

14. ∆𝑂𝐶𝐵 is an isosceles triangle. Definition of isosceles triangle
15. ∠𝑂𝐶𝐵 ≅ ∠𝑂𝐵𝐶 Isosceles Triangle Theorem
16. 𝑚∠𝑂𝐶𝐵 = 𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐶 Definition of congruent angles
17. 𝑚∠𝐶𝑂𝐷 = 𝑚∠𝑂𝐶𝐵 + 𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐶 Exterior Angle Theorem
18. 𝑚∠𝐶𝑂𝐷 = 2𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐶 Substitution

19. ⏜
𝑚∠𝐶𝑂𝐷 = 𝑚 𝐶𝐷 Central Angle Postulate

20. ⏜ = 2𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐶
𝑚 𝐶𝐷 Substitution

21.
1 ⏜
𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐶 = 2 𝑚 𝐶𝐷 Multiplication Property of Equality

22.
1
⏜ + 𝑚 𝐶𝐷
𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐴 + 𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐶 = 2 (𝑚 𝐴𝐷 ⏜) Addition Property of Equality

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

23. 𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐴 + 𝑚∠𝑂𝐵𝐶 = 𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 Angle Addition Postulate

24. ⏜ + 𝑚 𝐶𝐷
𝑚 𝐴𝐷 ⏜ = 𝑚 𝐴𝐶
⏜ Arc Addition Postulate

25.
1 ⏜
𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 = 𝑚 𝐴𝐶 Substitution
2

The figure used in the above proof is shown below.

There are two other cases for this theorem: the center is on the angle, and the center is on
the exterior of the angle. But their proofs are similar to the given proof above.

Semicircle Theorem

Theorem 3.2: Semicircle Theorem

If an inscribed angle intercepts a semicircle,
then the angle is a right angle.

If an inscribed angle intercepts an arc that measures 180°, then the measure of that angle is
half of 180°. This is just a special case of the Inscribed Angle Theorem, where the intercepted
arc measures 180°. Thus, the inscribed angle is a right angle.

This is demonstrated in the second part of the Warm-Up! activity. The triangle you formed
should have been a right triangle, and the lengths of the sticks you used to form the triangle
should satisfy the Pythagorean Theorem, 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 , where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are the sides of the
right triangle with 𝑐 as its hypotenuse.

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

Essential Questions
How are inscribed angles related to central angles?
How can you apply the properties of central and inscribed angles in solving
problems in circles?

Let’s Practice

Example 1
In the circle 𝑈, 𝑚∠𝑉𝑈𝑊 = 94°. Find 𝑚∠𝑉𝑋𝑊.

Solution
Notice that ∠𝑉𝑋𝑊 is an inscribed angle. Thus, by virtue of the Inscribed Angle Theorem, it

must be half the measure of its intercepted arc, 𝑉𝑊

⏜ , which is the same in measure as the

central angle ∠𝑉𝑈𝑊.

1
𝑚∠𝑉𝑋𝑊 = 𝑚∠𝑉𝑈𝑊
2
1
𝑚∠𝑉𝑋𝑊 = (94°)
2
𝑚∠𝑉𝑋𝑊 = 47°

Thus, 𝐦∠𝑽𝑿𝑾 = 𝟒𝟕°.

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

Try It Yourself!
In circle 𝑂, 𝑚∠𝐿𝑂𝑀 = 35°. What is 𝑚∠𝐿𝑁𝑀?

Example 2
In circle 𝑀, suppose 𝑚∠𝐾𝑀𝐿 = (3𝑥 − 4)° and 𝑚∠𝐾𝑁𝐿 = (𝑥 + 12)°. What is m∠𝐾𝑁𝐿?

Solution
Step 1: Set up an equation relating the two angles.

Since ∠𝐾𝑀𝐿 is a central angle and ∠𝐾𝑁𝐿 is an inscribed angle that intercepts

the same arc, 𝐾𝐿

⏜ , the following will be the working equation by virtue of the

Inscribed Angle Theorem:

1
𝑚∠𝐾𝑁𝐿 = 𝑚∠𝐾𝑀𝐿
2
1
𝑥 + 12 = (3𝑥 − 4)
2

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

Step 2: Solve for 𝑥.

1
𝑥 + 12 = (3𝑥 − 4)
2
2(𝑥 + 12) = 3𝑥 − 4
2𝑥 + 24 = 3𝑥 − 4
2𝑥 − 3𝑥 = −4 − 24
−𝑥 = −28
𝑥 = 28

Step 3: Determine 𝑚∠𝐾𝑁𝐿.

Substitute 𝑥 = 28 into the expression for 𝑚∠𝐾𝑁𝐿.

𝑚∠𝐾𝑁𝐿 = (𝑥 + 12)°
= (28 + 12)°
= 40°

Therefore, 𝐦∠𝑲𝑵𝑳 = 𝟒𝟎°.

Try It Yourself!
In circle 𝐴, if 𝑚∠𝐵𝐴𝐶 = 120° and 𝑚∠𝐵𝐷𝐶 = (4𝑥 − 72)°, find 𝑥.

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

Example 3
In circle 𝐷, 𝐶𝐸 is a diameter. If 𝐸𝐹 = (𝑥 − 3) units, 𝐶𝐹 = (𝑥 + 4) units, and 𝐶𝐸 = (𝑥 + 5) units,
how long is 𝐶𝐸?

Solution
Step 1: Determine m∠𝐶𝐹𝐸.

Since 𝐶𝐸 is a diameter, 𝐶𝐸
⏜ is a semicircle. This arc is also the arc intercepted by

inscribed angle ∠𝐶𝐹𝐸. Thus, according to the Semicircle Theorem, m∠𝐶𝐹𝐸 is a

right angle, which means that 𝑚∠𝐶𝐹𝐸 = 90°.

Step 2: Set up an equation relating 𝐶𝐹, 𝐸𝐹, and 𝐶𝐸.

Since ∠𝐶𝐹𝐸 is a right angle, ∆𝐶𝐹𝐸 is a right triangle with 𝐶𝐸 as its hypotenuse.
Thus, the sides of ∆𝐶𝐹𝐸 satisfy the Pythagorean Theorem.

(𝐶𝐹)2 + (𝐸𝐹)2 = (𝐶𝐸)2

Step 3: Solve for 𝑥.

(𝐶𝐹)2 + (𝐸𝐹)2 = (𝐶𝐸)2

(𝑥 + 4)2 + (𝑥 − 3)2 = (𝑥 + 5)2
(𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16) + (𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9) = 𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 25

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2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 25 = 𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 25
𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 = 0
𝑥(𝑥 − 8) = 0
𝑥=8

Note that we reject 𝑥 = 0 because it will make 𝐸𝐹 = 𝑥 − 3 negative, and the

dimensions of a triangle must not be negative.

Step 4: Determine the length of 𝐶𝐸.

Substituting 𝑥 into the expression for 𝐶𝐸, we have

𝐶𝐸 = 𝑥 + 5
=8+5
= 13

Therefore, 𝑪𝑬 is 13 units long.

Try It Yourself!
In circle 𝑆, 𝑅𝑇 is a diameter. If 𝑄𝑅 = (𝑥 − 1) units, 𝑄𝑇 = (𝑥 + 1) units, and 𝑅𝑇 = (𝑥 + 3) units,
how long is 𝑅𝑇?

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

Real-World Problems
Example 4
Rob and Lia sliced a pizza, as shown in the figure. Point 𝐵 is the center
of the pizza. Rob sliced it along 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵𝐶 while Lia sliced it along 𝐶𝐷
and 𝐴𝐷. If the area bounded by 𝐴𝐶
⏜ , 𝐴𝐵, and 𝐵𝐶 is a third of the area

of the whole pizza, what is the measure of ∠𝐴𝐷𝐶?

Solution
Step 1: Determine m∠𝐴𝐵𝐶.

Since the area bounded by 𝐴𝐶

⏜ , 𝐴𝐵, and 𝐵𝐶 is a third of the area of the whole

pizza, the central angle ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 swept by this portion is also a third of the
measure of a whole circle. Thus, 𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 = 360° ÷ 3 = 120°.

Step 2: Determine 𝑚∠𝐴𝐷𝐶.

Notice that ∠𝐴𝐷𝐶 is an inscribed angle that intercepts the same arc, 𝐴𝐶
⏜ , as the

central angle ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶. Thus, according to the Inscribed Angle Theorem, its
measure is half of 𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶.

1
𝑚∠𝐴𝐷𝐶 = 𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶
2
1
= (120°)
2
= 60°

Therefore, 𝒎∠𝑨𝑫𝑪 = 𝟔𝟎°.

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

Example 5
A cow is trying to find its way out of a circular enclosure.
Starting at the edge of the enclosure, the cow walks 8 m in a
straight line north and reaches the fence of the enclosure. After
this, it turns east and walks 15 m before once again reaching
the fence. How long is the diameter of the enclosure?

Solution
Step 1: Illustrate the given problem.

Let circle 𝐷 be the circular enclosure. It follows that 𝐴𝐵 = 8 meters and 𝐵𝐶 = 15

meters. Note that the cow walked north, then east. Thus, ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 is a right angle.

By the Semicircle Theorem, 𝐴𝐶

⏜ is a semicircle, and consequently, 𝐴𝐶 is a

diameter. Thus, we need to find the measure of the diameter 𝐴𝐶.

Step 2: Set up an equation relating 𝐴𝐵, 𝐵𝐶, and 𝐴𝐶.

Since 𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 = 90°, ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 is a right triangle. Thus, the sides of ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 satisfy the
Pythagorean Theorem.

(𝐴𝐵)2 + (𝐵𝐶)2 = (𝐴𝐶)2

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

Step 3: Solve for 𝐴𝐶.

Substituting the values of 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵𝐶, we have

82 + 152 = (𝐴𝐶)2
64 + 225 = (𝐴𝐶)2
289 = (𝐴𝐶)2
𝐴𝐶 = √289
= 17

Thus, the diameter of the enclosure is 17 meters long.

Try It Yourself!
Wanda is designing a top of a circular table. The design consists of two overlapping squares
of sheer cloth. The corners of the squares touch the circumference of the circle. If each side
of a square has a length of 50 inches, how long is the diameter of the table?

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

Check Your Understanding

A. Give what is asked in each of the following.

For items 1 to 8, refer to circle 𝑄 on the right.

1. If 𝑚∠𝑃𝑄𝑅 = 80°, what is the measure of 𝑃𝑅

⏜?

2. If 𝑚∠𝑃𝑄𝑅 = 80°, what is the measure of 𝑃𝑆𝑅

⏜?

3. If 𝑚∠𝑃𝑄𝑅 = 80°, what is 𝑚∠𝑃𝑆𝑅?

4. If 𝑚∠𝑃𝑆𝑅 = 36°, what is 𝑚∠𝑃𝑄𝑅?
5. If 𝑚∠𝑃𝑆𝑅 = 36°, what is the measure of 𝑃𝑅
⏜?

6. If 𝑚∠𝑃𝑆𝑅 = 36°, what is the measure of 𝑃𝑆𝑅

⏜?

7. If 𝑚 𝑃𝑆𝑅
⏜ = 290°, what is 𝑚∠𝑃𝑄𝑅?

8. If 𝑚 𝑃𝑆𝑅
⏜ = 290°, what is 𝑚∠𝑃𝑆𝑅?

For items 9 to 10, refer to circle 𝑉 on the right.

9. If 𝑈𝑊 is a diameter, what is 𝑚 𝑈𝑊
⏜?

10. If 𝑈𝑊 is a diameter, what is 𝑚∠𝑈𝑋𝑊?

For items 11 to 13, refer to circle 𝑀 on the right.

11. If 𝑚∠𝐿𝑀𝑁 = (3𝑥 + 11)° and 𝑚∠𝐿𝑂𝑁 = (𝑥 + 32)°, what
is 𝑥?
12. If 𝑚∠𝐿𝑂𝑁 = (2𝑥 − 40)° and 𝑚∠𝐿𝑀𝑁 = (3𝑥 − 20)°, what
is 𝑚∠𝐿𝑀𝑁?
13. If 𝑚∠𝐿𝑂𝑁 = (𝑥 + 27)° and 𝑚∠𝐿𝑀𝑁 = (4𝑥 − 22)°, what
is 𝑚 𝐿𝑁
⏜?

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For items 14 to 16, refer to circle 𝑌 on the right.

14. If 𝑊𝑋 = (2𝑥) units, 𝑋𝑍 = (4𝑥 + 4) units, and 𝑊𝑍 = 26 units,
find 𝑥.
15. If 𝑊𝑋 = (𝑥 + 4) units, 𝑋𝑍 = 15 units, and 𝑊𝑍 = (4𝑥 + 1)
units, find 𝑥.
16. If 𝑊𝑋 = (2𝑥 + 2) units, 𝑋𝑍 = (𝑥 + 3) units, and 𝑊𝑍 = (𝑥 + 7)
units, find 𝑥.

B. Solve the following problems.

1. A coaster design consists of a circle and an inscribed regular

12-pointed star. The points on the star that touch the
circumference of the circle are equally spaced. If the
measure of each angle of the star made at such points is
equal to 𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶, what is 𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶?

2. The land area rented by a carnival on tour is in the shape of

a circle. The area has one entrance at point 𝐷 and two exits
at points 𝐴 and 𝐶. If the segment connecting the exits forms
a diameter of the circular area and each exit is 25 meters
away from the entrance, how long is the diameter of the
area?

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Grade 10 • Unit 9: Parts of a Circle I: Chords, Arcs, and Angles

3. A cyclic quadrilateral is a quadrilateral whose vertices touch

the circumference of a circle. An example of which is
quadrilateral 𝐸𝐹𝐺𝐻 inscribed in circle 𝐼 as shown on the
right. How do you think are the measures of opposite angles
in a cyclic quadrilateral related? Hint: Use the Inscribed Angle
Theorem and Semicircle Theorem to come up with the
relationship of opposite angles.

Key Points

• The Inscribed Angle Theorem states that the measure of an inscribed angle is half the
measure of its intercepted arc or the central angle.

• The Semicircle Theorem stated that if an inscribed angle intercepts a semicircle, then
the angle is a right angle.

Bibliography

“Inscribed Angles in Circles.” CK-12. Accessed April 10, 2019.

https://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Basic-Geometry-Concepts/section/9.5/

Larson, Ron, et al. Geometry. Illinois: McDougal Littell, 2007.

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Pierce, Rod. “Circle Theorems.” Math is Fun. Accessed April 10, 2019.
https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/circle-theorems.html

Rhoad, Richard, George Milauskas, and Robert Whipple. Geometry for Enjoyment and
Challenge. Illinois: McDougal Littell, 1991.

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