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7. Properties_of_a_circle

The document outlines the properties and key terms related to circles, including definitions of terms such as radius, diameter, tangent, chord, and arc. It explains basic properties of circles, types of arcs, and the relationship between chords and arcs. Additionally, it provides the standard equation for graphing a circle and instructions on how to graph it.

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Lilitha Ndaba
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8 views

7. Properties_of_a_circle

The document outlines the properties and key terms related to circles, including definitions of terms such as radius, diameter, tangent, chord, and arc. It explains basic properties of circles, types of arcs, and the relationship between chords and arcs. Additionally, it provides the standard equation for graphing a circle and instructions on how to graph it.

Uploaded by

Lilitha Ndaba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Properties Circle

Geometry
of a Study Guides

Big Picture
The many parts of a circle include arcs, tangents, segments, and chords. All these parts have various properties and
theorems associated with them.

Key Terms
Circle: The set of all points in a plane that are equidistant (same distance away) from a specific point called the center.

Radius: (radii, plural) A line segment from the center to any point on the circle.

Diameter: A line segment from one point on the circle to another that contains the
center of the circle.

Tangent: A line, line segment, or ray that intersects a circle at exactly one point.

Point of Tangency: The point where the tangent touches the circle.

Chord: A line segment whose endpoints are on a circle.

Secant: A line that intersects a circle in two points.

Arc: A section of a circle.

Semicircle: An arc that measures 180°.

Major Arc: An arc larger than a semicircle.

Minor Arc: An arc smaller than a semicircle.

Central Angle: An angle formed between two radii of a circle with its vertex at the center.

Basic Properties of Circles


The center of a circle is a point, so the center is usually labeled with a capital letter like a point.
The circle below is circle A, labeled A.
Although the position of the center and the length of the radius may differ, all circles are similar
to each other.
• Two circles with the same radius but different centers are congruent circles.
• Two circles with the same center but different radii are concentric circles.
For two coplanar circles (two circles lying in the same plane), the circles can intersect in two points, one point, or no
points.

Tangent circles are two circles that intersect in one point.


• The tangent line drawn through the point of tangency can be either
external or internal.

Tangents to a Circle
Circles that are not tangent can share a tangent line called
your textbook and is for classroom or individual use only.
Disclaimer: this study guide was not created to replace

a common tangent. The common tangent can also be


internally or externally tangent.

Tangent to a Circle Theorem: A line is tangent to a circle


if and only if the line is perpendicular to the radius drawn
to the point of tangency.

• Line CB is tangent to A if and only if CB AB.

This guide was created by Nicole Crawford, Jane Li, Amy Shen, and Zachary Page 1 of 2
Wilson. To learn more about the student authors, http://www.ck12.org/
about/ck-12-interns/. v1.10.31.2011
Geometry Properties of a Circle cont .
Arcs and Central Angles
Arcs are labeled with . The letters used to label an arc are the points
on the circle.
There are three types of arcs:

• Semicircle: An arc that measures 180°. “Semi” means half, so a


semicircle is half of a circle. mEHG = mEJG = 180°

• Minor arc: An arc that measures less than 180°. mBC < 180°

• Major arc: An arc that is greater than 180°. Use 3 letters to label a
major arc to distinguish it from a minor arc! mBDC > 180°

The central angle divides a circle into two arcs: either two semicircles
or one major arc and one minor arc.

Arc Addition Postulate: The measure of the arc formed by two adjacent
arcs is the sum of measures of the two arcs.

• mCDB = mCD + mDB

Chords
The endpoints of a chord lie on the circle, so a chord divides into two arcs.

• A diameter divides a circle into two semicircles.

• All other chords divide a circle into a minor arc and a major arc.

Graphing a Circle
Standard equation of a circle: (x - h)2 + (y - k)2 = r2

• Center of circle = (h, k); radius = r

Since it’s (x - h) in the equation, remember


to take the opposite sign of the value in the
equation when finding h and k.

To graph a circle:

• First draw the center of the circle on the coordinate plane.

• Then draw a circle around it with radius r.


To write the equation for a circle:

• Plug the information given in the problem into the standard equation of a circle.

• If we’re given some points that are on the circle, substitute their x- and y-coordinates for x and y in the equation
to find h, k, and r.

Notes

Page 2 of 2

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