Date: 10/04/2022

Class: #37

Syllabus Topic: Circle Geometry

Title: Circle Theorems, Past Paper Questions on Circle Geometry

Circle Theorems

Recall the following terms:

Term Diagram Note

arc An arc is a piece of

circumference.

chord A chord is a straight line

connecting two points on

𝐵
the circumference. For

example, 𝐴𝐵 is a chord.

segment A segment is two pieces of

the circle separated by a

𝑃
chord. For example, 𝑃 and 𝑄

𝑄 are segments.
 sector A sector is bounded by two

radii and an arc.

tangent A tangent touches the circle

once.

normal

A normal to a circle is a

straight line drawn at 90

degrees to the tangent.

tangent

Circle Theorem 1

Theorem 1: The angle formed in a semicircle is always a right angle.

Consider

Circle Theorem 2

Theorem 2: The angle at the centre of a circle is twice the angle at the circumference of the

circle from the same chord.

𝑎°

2𝑎°
Consider

29°

58°

chord

Consider

40°

80°
Circle Theorem 3

Theorem 3: Angles from the same chord in the same segment are equal.

𝑎°
𝑎°

𝑏°

𝑏°
chord

Consider
Circle Theorem 4

Theorem 4: Opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral add up to 180°, that is, 𝑎 + 𝑐 = 180°

and 𝑏 + 𝑑 = 180°.

𝑐°

𝑏° Note: A quadrilateral
is a figure with 4 sides.
A cyclic quadrilateral
is one where all the
vertices touch the
circumference of the
circle.
𝑎°
𝑑°

Question: Is this a cyclic quadrilateral?

Answer: Yes
Question: Is this a cyclic quadrilateral?

Answer: No

Circle Theorem 5

Theorem 5: The perpendicular line from the centre of a circle to a chord, bisects the chord.
Circle Theorem 6

Theorem 6: The angle between a tangent and the radius, at the point where the tangent

touches the circle, is a right angle.

Circle Theorem 7

Theorem 7: Two tangents drawn from a point to a circle are equal.

Circle Theorem 8

Theorem 8: The angle between a tangent and a chord is equal to the angle at the

circumference in the alternate segment.

𝑏°
𝑎° Note: This circle
theorem is called the
Alternate Segment
Theorem.

𝑎° 𝑏°

Circle Theorem 9

Theorem 9: Two radii will give you an isosceles triangle.

Common Reasons

In your CSEC Mathematics exam, you will be required to justify your answers. Some of the

common reasons include:

• Angles on a straight line = 180°

• Angles in a triangle = 180°

• Base angles in an isosceles triangle are equal.

• Angles in a circle = 360°

➢ Exterior/Interior angles in a polygon

➢ Corresponding/Alternate/Co-interior/Vertically opposite angles

January 2020 – Question 9(a)

The circle below has centre 𝑂 and the points 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶 and 𝐷 lying on the circumference. A

straight line passes through the points 𝐴 and 𝐵. Angle 𝐶𝐵𝐷 = 49° and angle 𝑂𝐴𝐵 = 37°.
 (i) Write down the mathematical names of the straight lines 𝐵𝐶 and 𝑂𝐴. [2]

(ii) Determine the values of EACH of the following angles. Show detailed working

where necessary and give a reason to support your answer.

(a) 𝑥 [2]

(b) 𝑦 [2]

Solution:

(i) 𝐵𝐶 is called a chord.

𝑂𝐴 is called a radius.

(ii) (a) • Two radii, 𝑂𝐴 and 𝑂𝐵, create an isosceles triangle 𝑂𝐴𝐵.
Note: Use names
• Base angles in an isosceles triangle are equal. when stating
your reasons.
• Angles in a triangle add up to 180°.

Therefore,

𝑥 = 180° − (37° + 37°)

= 106°

(b) • Angles in a semicircle = 90°

So, 𝐵𝐶̂ 𝐷 = 900

• Angles in a triangle add up to 180°.

 Therefore,

𝑦 = 180° − (90° + 49°)

= 41°

June 2019 – Question 9(a)

The diagram below shows a circle where 𝐴𝐶 is a diameter. 𝐵 and 𝐷 are two other points on

the circle and 𝐷𝐶𝐸 is a straight line. Angle 𝐶𝐴𝐵 = 28° and ∠𝐷𝐵𝐶 = 46°.

Calculate the value of each of the following angles. Show detailed working where necessary

and give a reason to support your answers.

(i) ∠𝐷𝐵𝐴 [2]

(ii) ∠𝐷𝐴𝐶 [2]

(iii) ∠𝐵𝐶𝐸 [2]

Solution:

(i) Angles in a semicircle = 90°

Therefore,

Angle 𝐷𝐵𝐴 = 90° − 46°

= 44°

(ii) Angles from a common chord (𝐷𝐶) are equal.

∴ 𝐷𝐴̂𝐶 = 𝐷𝐵̂ 𝐶

𝐷𝐴̂𝐶 = 46°

(iii) Opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral add up to 180°.

𝐷𝐶̂ 𝐵 = 180° − 𝐷𝐴̂𝐵

= 180° − (46° + 28°)

= 180° − 74°

= 106°

Angles in a straight line = 180°

∴ 𝐵𝐶̂ 𝐸 = 180° − 106°

= 74°
June 2018 – Question 9(b)

The diagram below, not drawn to scale, shows a circle, with centre 𝑂. The points 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶 and

𝑀 are on the circumference. The straight line 𝐶𝑁 is a tangent to the circle at the point 𝐶 and

is perpendicular to 𝐵𝑁.

Determine, giving a reason for your answer,

(i) 𝐴𝐵̂ 𝐶 [2]

(ii) ̂𝐵
𝐶𝑀 [2]

(iii) 𝑁𝐶̂ 𝑀 [2]

Solution:
(i) Angles in a semicircle = 90°

So, 𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐵 = 900

Angles in a triangle add up to 180°.

Therefore,

𝐴𝐵̂ 𝐶 = 180° − (90° + 58°)

= 32°

(ii) Opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral add up to 180°.

Therefore,

̂ 𝐵 = 180° − 58°
𝐶𝑀

= 122°

(iii) 𝐵𝑀𝑁 is a straight line.

Supplementary angles add up to 180°.

̂ 𝑁 = 180° − 122°
𝐶𝑀

= 58°

Angles in triangle 𝐶𝑀𝑁 add up to 180°.

Therefore,

𝑁𝐶̂ 𝑀 = 180° − (90° + 58°)

= 32°