Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

Properties of a Circle

Radius
Major Segment

Diameter

Chord
Minor Segment

Tangent

Concyclic points form a Cyclic Quadrilateral

Sector

Arc

Tangents Externally and Internally

Concentric circles

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

Circle Theorems
! Equal arcs subtend equal angels at the
centre of the circle.

! If two arcs subtend equal angles at the

centre of the circle, then the arcs are
equal.

l = r

! Equal chords subtend equal angles at the

centre of the circle.
||

! Equal angles subtended at the centre of

the circle cut off equal chords.

||

||

S OB = OC (radius of circle)
A BOA = COD (vert. opp. Angles)
S OA = OD (radius of circle)
BOA COD (SAS)
AB = DC (corresponding sides in ' s )

||
C

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

! A perpendicular line from the centre of a

circle to a chord bisects the chord.
! A line from the centre of a circle that
bisects a chord is perpendicular to the
chord.
O

R OMB = OMA (straight line)

H OB = OA (radius of circle)
S OM = MO (common)
AOM BOM (RHS)
AM = BM (corresponding sides in ' s )
O

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

! Equal chords are equidistant from the

centre of the circle.
! Chords that are equidistant from the
centre are equal.

||

R ANO = BMO = 90 (A line from the

centre of a circle that bisects a chord is
perpendicular to the chord)
H AO = BO (Radius of Circle)
S NO = MO (given)
ANO BMO (RHS)

||

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

! The products of intercepts of intersecting

chords are equal

Internally
A

AX.XB = CX.XD
C
X

Prove AXD ||| CXD

C
X

A AXD = CXB (vertically opp)

A XAD = XCB (Angle standing on the
same arc)
A XDA = XBC (Angle sum of triangle)
Correspond sides
AX CX
=
XD XB
AX . XB = CX . XD

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

! The square of the length of the tangent

from an external point is equal to the
product of the intercepts of the secant
passing through this point.

Externally

(AX)2 = BX.CX
A

Externally
Prove ACX ||| BAX
A AXC = BXA (common)
A XAC = XBA (Angle in alternate
segment)
A ACX = BAX (Angle sum of triangle)

Correspond sides
AX BX
=
CX
AX
( AX ) 2 = BX .CX
B

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

! The angle at the centre of a circle is twice

the angle at the circumference subtended
by the same arc.

Let CAO =
Let BAO =
AO = CO = BO (radius of circle)
ACO = (base angles of isosceles )
ABO = (base angles of isosceles )
COD = 2 (exterior angle = two opposite
interior angles)
BOD = 2 (exterior angle = two opposite
interior angles)

CAB = +
COD = 2(a + )

! Angle in a semicircle is a right angle.

180

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

! Angles standing on the same arc are

equal.

Prove AXD ||| CXD

A AXD = CXB (vertically opp)
A XAD = XCB (Angle standing on the
same arc)
A XDA = XBC (Angle sum of triangle)
C

Corresponding angles of similar triangles are

equal

X
D

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

! Tangents to a circle from an exterior

point are equal.

Prove OAC OBC

R OAC = OBC (90`)
H OC = OC (common)
S OA = )B (radii)
OAC OBC

B
||

RHS

AC = BC (corresponding sides in
congruent triangles)

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

! When two circles touch, the line through

their centres passes through their point of
contact.

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

! The angle between a tangent and a chord

through the point of contact is equal to
the angle in the alternate segment.

Let XAB =
Let BAQ =
+ = 90 `

B
C

AXB = (angle in semicircle is 90`,

complementary angle)
ACB = AXB (angle on the same arc)
ACB = BAQ
A

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Maths Extension 1 Circle Geometry

! The opposite angles in a cyclic

quadrilateral are supplementary.

! If the opposite angles of a quadrilateral

are supplementary, then the quadrilateral
is cyclic.
180 B

180
C

! The exterior angle of s cyclic

quadrilateral is equal to the interior
opposite angle.

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