Circle Theorems

Euclid of
Alexandria
Circa 325 - 265 BC

O
Learning outcome
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to
recognise circle theorems and apply them

Thinking Hats: White, blue and black hats

HoM: Remain open to continuous learning

Applying past knowledge to new
situation
Striving for accuracy
Starter: Identifying circle parts
 A Reminder about parts of the Ta
Circumference Circle ng
Major Arc en
t
radius

Major Segment
diameter
n t
n ge ch or d
Ta
Minor Segment

Major Sector

Minor Arc
Area
Circumference
Mymaths Minor Sector
Arrow theorem Tangent
Parts
Radius Diameter
Sector Chord

Circle parts
Centre
Circumference
Arc
Tangent
Tangent Segment
 Introductory
Terminology
Term’gy
yo
yo

o o
xo xo
B
A
B B
A
A

Arc AB subtends angle x at the xo

o
centre.
Arc AB subtends angle y at the
circumference. yo
Chord AB also subtends angle x at the
centre.
Chord AB also subtends angle y at the
circumference.
 The angle subtended at the centre of a circle (by an
Theorem 1 arc or chord) is twice the angle subtended at the
circumference by the same arc or chord. (angle at
centre)
Measure the angles at the centre and circumference and make a
conjecture.

x o xo
xo
o o o o
2xo 2xo
2xo xo 2xo

Angle x is subtended in the minor segment.

x o xo xo
x o

o o o o
2xo 2xo 2xo 2xo
Watch for this
one later.
 Example Questions

Find the unknown angles giving reasons for your

answers.

1 2
x o

o 35o o

84o yo

A A
B B

angle x 42o (Angle at the centre).

=
angle y 70o(Angle at the centre)
=
 Example Questions

Find the unknown angles giving reasons for your

answers.
3 4
yo
62o B
o o qo
xo po

42o
A
B
A
angle x (180 – 2 x 42) = 96o (Isos triangle/angle sum
=
angle y triangle) .
48o (Angle at the centre)
=
angle p 124o (Angle at the centre)
=
angle q (180 – 124)/2 = 280 (Isos triangle/angle sum
= triangle).
Theorem 2 The angle in a semi-circle is a right
angle.
This is just a special case of Theorem 1
and is referred to as a theorem for
convenience.
Find the unknown
angles below
o Diamete stating a reason.
r
a
30o
c
angle a 90o angle in a semi- d

o
= circle
angle b 90o angle in a semi-
= circle
angle c 20o angle sum triangle e
=
angle d 90o angle in a semi- 70o
b
=
angle e
=
circle
60o angle sum triangle Th2
 Angles subtended by an arc or chord
Theorem 3 in the same segment are equal.

yo
x o
xo xo

yo
xo xo

Th3
Theorem 3 Angles subtended by an arc or chord
in the same segment are equal.

Find the unknown angles in each

case
yo
38 o
xo 30o

40o
yo xo

Angle x = angle y = 38o Angle x = 30o

Angle y = 40o
Theorem 4 Cyclic Quadrilateral Theorem.
The opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral are
supplementary. (They sum to 180o)

Th6 p
x

q
z
w s r

Angles y + w = Angles p + r = 180o

180o
Angles x + z = Angles q + s =
180o 180o
 Theorem 4 Cyclic Quadrilateral Theorem.
The opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral are
supplementary. (They sum to 180o)

70o
Find the missing r
x y angles below
110o given reasons in q
each case.

85o p
135o

angle x 180 – 85 = 95o (cyclic angle p 180 – 135 = 45o (straight

quad) line)
=
angle y 180 – 110 = 70 o
(cyclic
=
angle q 180 – 70 = 110o (cyclic
quad) quad)
= =
angle r 180 – 45 = 135o (cyclic
quad)
=
 The angle between a tangent and
Theorem 5
a radius is 90o. (Tan/rad)

Th4
 The angle between a tangent and
Theorem 5
a radius is 90o. (Tan/rad)

o
 Theorem 6 Two Tangent Theorem.
From any point outside a circle only two tangents can be drawn
and they are equal in length.
R
P

Q
R
Q U

T
T

PT = PQ PT = PQ
P
Th7 U
 If OT is a radius and AB is a
tangent, find the unknown
30o angles, giving reasons for
your answers.
o
B
xo 36o

yo
zo
T

A
angle x 180 – (90 + 36) = 54o Tan/rad and angle sum of
= triangle.
angle y 90o angle in a semi-
= circle
angle z 60o angle sum triangle
 Theorem 6 Two Tangent Theorem.
From any point outside a circle only two tangents can be drawn
and they are equal in length.

PQ and PT are tangents to a circle with

centre O. Find the unknown angles giving
reasons.

yo
Q
xo O
angle w 90o (tan/rad)
98o
=
angle x 90o (tan/rad)
=
angle y 49o (angle at centre)
=
angle z 360o – 278 = 82o
zo wo = (quadrilateral)

P T
 Theorem 6 Two Tangent Theorem.
From any point outside a circle only two tangents can be drawn
and they are equal in length.

PQ and PT are tangents to a circle with

centre O. Find the unknown angles giving
reasons.

zo
Q
yo
O
angle w 90o (tan/rad)
xo =
angle x 180 – 140 = 40o (angles sum
=
angle y
tri)
50o (isos triangle)
=
angle z 50o (alt seg)
80o wo 50o =
P T
Theorem 7 The Alternate Segment Theorem.
The angle between a tangent and a chord through the point of
contact is equal to the angle subtended by that chord in the
alternate segment.

Find the missing angles below

giving reasons in each case.

xo
yo
xo 60
o

yo xo
o zo 45
y o

angle x 45o (Alt Seg)

=
angle y 60o (Alt Seg)
=
angle z 75o angle sum triangle Th5
Learning outcome
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to
recognise circle theorems and apply them

Thinking Hats: White, blue and black hats

HoM: Remain open to continuous learning

Applying past knowledge to new
situation
Striving for accuracy
Starter: Identifying circle parts
Theorem 8 Chord Bisector Theorem.
A line drawn perpendicular to a chord and passing through the
centre of a circle, bisects the chord..

Find length OS

O O
3 cm

S 8 cm T

OS = 5 cm (pythag triple:
Th8 3,4,5)
Theorem 8 Chord Bisector Theorem.
A line drawn perpendicular to a chord and passing through the
centre of a circle, bisects the chord..

Find angle x

O O
22o

xo
S T U

Angle SOT = 22o (symmetry/congruenncy)

Angle x = 180 – 112 = 68o (angle sum
triangle)
 Mixed Questions

U PTR is a tangent line to the

circle at T. Find angles SUT,
SOT, OTS and OST.

S O
R

65o
T

Angle SUT 65o (Alt seg)

=
Angle SOT 130o (angle at centre)
P
=
Angle OTS 25o (tan rad)
Mixed =
Angle OST 25o (isos triangle)
=
Q1
 Mixed Questions
Q PR and PQ are tangents to the
U circle. Find the missing angles
giving reasons.
P
y
110o
O

w
z x
48o
R

Angle w = 22o (cyclic quad)

Angle x = 68o (tan rad)
Angle y = 44o (isos triangle)
Angle z = 68o (alt seg)
Mixed Q 2