Circle geometry theorems

http://topdrawer.aamt.edu.au/Geometric-reasoning/Big-ideas/Circle-
geometry/Angle-and-chord-properties

Theorem Suggested abbreviation Diagram

1. When two circles centres of touching

intersect, the line circles
joining their centres
bisects their common
chord at right angles.

2. Equal arcs on circles equal arcs, equal

of equal radii subtend angles
equal angles at the
centre, and
conversely.

3. Equal angles at the equal chords, equal

centre stand on equal angles
chords, and OR
conversely. angles standing on
equal chords
OR
angles standing on
equal arcs

AAMT TOP DRAWER TEACHERS

2013 Education Services Australia Ltd, except where indicated otherwise. This document may
be used, reproduced, published, communicated and adapted free of charge for non-commercial
educational purposes provided all acknowledgements associated with the material are retained.

page 1 of 6
 Theorem Suggested abbreviation Diagram

4. The angle at the angles at the centre

centre is twice the and circumference
angle at the
circumference
subtended by the
same arc.

5. The tangent to a circle tangent perpendicular

is perpendicular to the to radius
radius drawn to the
point of contact and
conversely.

6. The perpendicular perpendicular from

from the centre of a the centre
circle to a chord
bisects the chord.

7. The line from the line joining centre to

centre of a circle to midpoint of chord
the midpoint of a
chord is perpendicular
to the chord.

8. The perpendicular perpendicular

bisector of a chord bisector of
passes through the chord
centre of the circle.

AAMT TOP DRAWER TEACHERS

page 2 of 6
 Theorem Suggested abbreviation Diagram

9. Equal chords in equal equal chords

circles are equidistant equidistant from
from the centres. centre

10. Chords in a circle equal chords

which are equidistant equidistant from
from the centre are centre
equal.

11. Any three non- perpendicular

collinear points lie on bisector of chord
a unique circle, whose passes through the
centre is the point of centre
concurrency of the
perpendicular
bisectors of the
intervals joining the
points.

12. Angles in the same angles in the same

segment are equal. segment

13. The angle in a semi- angle in a semi-circle

circle is a right angle.

AAMT TOP DRAWER TEACHERS

page 3 of 6
 Theorem Suggested abbreviation Diagram

14. Opposite angles of a opposite angles in a

cyclic quadrilateral cyclic quad
are supplementary.

x + y = 180

15. The exterior angle at a exterior angle of cyclic

vertex of a cyclic quad
quadrilateral is equal
to the interior
opposite angle.

16. If the opposite angles converse of opposite

in a quadrilateral are angles in a cyclic quad
supplementary then
the quadrilateral is
cyclic.
Note: This theorem is
also a test for four
points to be concyclic.

If x + y = 180 then ABCD is a

cyclic quadrilateral.

17. The products of the intersecting chords

intercepts of two
intersecting chords
are equal.

AP BP = CP DP

AAMT TOP DRAWER TEACHERS

page 4 of 6
 Theorem Suggested abbreviation Diagram

18. The products of the intersecting secants

intercepts of two
intersecting secants to
a circle from an
external point.

AP BP = CP DP

19. Tangents to a circle tangents from

from an external point external point
are equal.

20. The angle between a angle in alternate

tangent and a chord segment
through the point of OR
contact is equal to the angle between tangent
angle in the alternate and chord
segment.

21. The square of the square of the tangent

length of the tangent OR
from an external point intersecting tangent
is equal to the product and secant
of the intercepts of the OR
secant passing tangent and secant
through this point.

PT2 = AP PB

AAMT TOP DRAWER TEACHERS

page 5 of 6
Supplementary theorems

Theorem Suggested abbreviation Diagram

1. Two circles touch if tangent of touching

they have a common circles
tangent at the point of
contact.

2. If an interval subtends converse of angles in

equal angles at two the same segment
points on the same
side of it then the
endpoints of the
interval and the four
points are concyclic.

AAMT TOP DRAWER TEACHERS

page 6 of 6