CIRCLE GEOMETRY

OVERVIEW

Circle geometry is the process of looking at the different parts of a circle, then performing
calculations based on properties of circles. It is made up of many theorems.

PARTS OF A CIRCLE
Segment
Minor

Chord. Secant.
Major Segment

Radius.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Concentric Circles are circles that have the same

centre.

Equal circles have the same radius.

 Concyclic Points are points that lie on the
circumference.

Any 3 non-collinear points (i.e. not in a line) are

concyclic. They lie on a circle, with centre at the point
of intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of the
intervals joining those points.

4+ non-collinear points may not necessarily lie on a

circle.

THEOREMS

Equal arcs subtend equal angles at the centre.

Converse: If two arcs subtend equal angles at the centre

of the circle, then the arcs are equal.

Proof:

Let two equal arcs have lengths 𝑙1 and 𝑙2 and subtend

angles of 𝛼 and 𝛽 at the centre of the circle.

Using 𝑙 = 𝑟𝜃, 𝑙1 = 𝑟𝛼 and 𝑙2 = 𝑟𝛽

But 𝑙1 = 𝑙2
∴ 𝑟𝛼 = 𝑟𝛽
∴ 𝛼=𝛽
 Equal chords subtend equal angles at the centre of the
circle.

Converse: Equal angles subtended at the centre of the

circle cut off equal chords.

Proof:
𝑂𝐴 = 𝑂𝐶 (equal radii)
𝑂𝐵 = 𝑂𝐷 (similarly)
𝐴𝐵 = 𝐶𝐷 (given)
∴ by SSS, ∆𝑂𝐴𝑀 ≡ ∆𝑂𝐶𝐷
∴ ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵 = ∠𝐶𝑂𝐷 (corresponding ∠s in congruent ∆s)

The angle at the centre of a circle is twice the angle at the

circumference subtended by the same arc.

Proof:
Join 𝐴𝑂 and produce to 𝐷.
Let ∠𝐵𝐴𝑂 = 𝑥 and ∠𝐶𝐴𝑂 = 𝑦
∴ ∠𝐵𝐴𝐶 = 𝑥 + 𝑦
𝑂𝐴 = 𝑂𝐵 (equal radii)
∴ ∠𝑂𝐵𝐴 = 𝑥 (base ∠s of isoceles ∆)
= ∠𝐵𝐴𝑂
𝑂𝐴 = 𝑂𝐶 (equal radii)
∴ ∠𝑂𝐶𝐴 = 𝑦 (base ∠s of isoceles ∆)
= ∠𝐶𝐴𝑂
∠𝐵𝑂𝐷 = 𝑥 + 𝑥 (exterior ∠ of ∆𝑂𝐵𝐴)
= 2𝑥
∠𝐶𝑂𝐷 = 𝑦 + 𝑦 (exterior ∠ of ∆𝑂𝐶𝐴)
= 2𝑦
∠𝐵𝑂𝐶 = ∠𝐵𝑂𝐷 + ∠𝐶𝑂𝐷
= 2𝑥 + 2𝑦
= 2(𝑥 + 𝑦)
= 2∠𝐵𝐴𝐶

Angles in the same segment of a circle are equal.

  (butterfly wings)
A A
Proof:

Join 𝐴 and 𝐷 to centre 𝑂

∠𝐴𝑂𝐷 = 2∠𝐴𝐵𝐷 (∠ at centre is twice the ∠ at the circumference)
∠𝐴𝑂𝐷 = 2∠𝐴𝐶𝐷
∴ ∠𝐴𝐵𝐷 = ∠𝐴𝐶𝐷

The angle in a semicircle is a right angle.

Proof:
∠𝐴𝑂𝐵 = 180° (straight ∠)
∠𝐴𝑂𝐵 = 2∠𝐴𝐶𝐵(∠ at centre is twice the ∠ at the circumference)
∴ ∠𝐴𝐶𝐵 = 90°
A perpendicular line from the centre of a circle to a chord
bisects the chord.

Converse: A line from the centre of a circle that bisects a

chord is perpendicular to the chord.

Proof:
∠𝐴𝐷𝑂 = ∠𝐵𝐷𝑂 = 90° (given)
𝑂𝐴 = 𝑂𝐵 (equal radii)
OD is common
∴ by RHS ∆𝑂𝐴𝐷 ≡ ∆𝑂𝐵𝐷
∴ 𝐴𝐷 = 𝐵𝐷 (corresp. sides in congruent ∆s)
So 𝑂𝐷 bisects 𝐴𝐵

Equal chords are equidistant from the centre of the circle.

Converse: Chords that are equidistant from the centre are

equal.

Proof:
Let 𝐶𝐷 = 𝐴𝐵
∠𝑂𝐸𝐵 = ∠𝑂𝐹𝐷 = 90° (given)
𝑂𝐵 = 𝑂𝐷 (equal radii)
𝐴𝐵 = 𝐶𝐷 (given)
1
𝐵𝐸 = 𝐴𝐵 (𝑂𝐸 bisects 𝐴𝐵)
2
1
𝐷𝐹 = 𝐶𝐷
2
∴ 𝐵𝐸 = 𝐷𝐹
∴ by RHS ∆𝑂𝐸𝐵 ≡ ∆𝑂𝐹𝐷
∴ 𝑂𝐸 = 𝑂𝐹 (corresp. sides in congruent ∆s)

The products of intercepts of intersecting chords are

equal. (i.e. 𝐴𝐸 ∙ 𝐸𝐵 = 𝐷𝐸 ∙ 𝐸𝐶)

Proof:
∠𝐴𝐸𝐷 = ∠𝐶𝐸𝐵 (vertically opposite ∠s)

∠𝐷𝐴𝐸 = ∠𝐸𝐶𝐵 (∠s in the same segment)

∠𝐴𝐷𝐸 = ∠𝐸𝐵𝐶 (similarly)

∴ ∆𝐴𝐸𝐷||| ∆𝐶𝐸𝐵
𝐴𝐸 𝐷𝐸
∴ =
𝐸𝐶 𝐸𝐵
∴ 𝐴𝐸 ∙ 𝐸𝐵 = 𝐷𝐸 ∙ 𝐸𝐶
 The opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral are
supplementary.

Converse: If the opposite angles of a quadrilateral are

supplementary, then the quadrilateral is cyclic.

Proof:
Join 𝐵 and 𝐷 to 𝑂.

Obtuse ∠𝐷𝑂𝐵 = 2∠𝐴 (∠ at centre is double

Reflex ∠𝐷𝑂𝐵 = 2∠𝐶 ∠ at circumference)
Obtuse ∠𝐷𝑂𝐵 + reflex ∠𝐷𝑂𝐵 = 360° (∠ of revolution)
∴ 2∠𝐴 + 2∠𝐶 = 360°
∴ ∠𝐴 + ∠𝐶 = 180°
Similarly, it can be proven that ∠𝐵 + ∠𝐷 = 180° by joining 𝐴 and
𝐶 to 𝑂.

The exterior angle at a vertex of a cyclic quadrilateral is

A
B equal to the interior opposite angle.

Proof:
Let ∠𝐴 = 𝑥
Then ∠𝐵𝐶𝐷 = 180° − 𝑥 (opp. ∠s supplementary
in cyclic quad.)
∴ ∠𝐵𝐶𝐷 + ∠𝐵𝐶𝐸 = 180° (∠𝐷𝐶𝐸 straight angle)
E ∴ ∠𝐵𝐶𝐸 = 180° − (180° − 𝑥 )
D C =𝑥
∴ ∠𝐴 = ∠𝐵𝐶𝐸

The tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius

drawn from the point of contact.

Converse: The line perpendicular to the radius at the

point where it meets the circle is a tangent to the circle at
that point.

Tangents to a circle from an exterior point are equal.

Proof:
Join 𝑂𝐵
∠𝐴 = ∠𝐶 = 90° (tangent ⊥ radius)
𝑂𝐵 is common
𝑂𝐴 = 𝑂𝐶 (equal radii)
∴ by RHS, ∆𝑂𝐴𝐵 ≡ ∆𝑂𝐶𝐵
∴ 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐶𝐵 (corresp. sides in congruent ∆s)
 When two circles touch, the line through their centres
passes through their point of contact.

Proof:
𝐴𝐵 is a tangent to circle with centre 𝑂
∴ ∠𝑂𝐶𝐵 = 90° (tangent ⊥ radius)
𝐴𝐵 is a tangent to circle with centre 𝑃
∴ ∠𝑃𝐶𝐵 = 90° (similarly)
∠𝑂𝐶𝐵 + ∠𝑃𝐶𝐵 = 90° + 90°
= 180°
∴ 𝑂𝐶𝑃 is a straight line

The angle between a tangent and a chord through the

point of contact is equal to the angle in the alternate
segment.

A Proof:
Draw in diameter 𝐶𝐹 and join 𝐸𝐹.
Let ∠𝐸𝐶𝐵 = 𝑥.
∠𝐹𝐶𝐵 = 90° (tangent ⊥ radius)
∴ ∠𝐹𝐶𝐸 = 90° − 𝑥
∠𝐹𝐸𝐶 = 90° (∠ in a semicircle)
 ∴ ∠𝐸𝐹𝐶 = 180° − (90° + 90° − 𝑥 ) (angle sum of ∆)
=𝑥
A
∠𝐸𝐹𝐶 = ∠𝐸𝐷𝐶 (angles in same segment)
∴ ∠𝐸𝐷𝐶 = ∠𝐸𝐶𝐵

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. (i.e. 𝑃𝑄2 = 𝑄𝑅 ∙ 𝑄𝑆)

Proof:
∠𝑄𝑃𝑅 = ∠𝑃𝑆𝑅 (angles in alternate segments)
∠𝑄 is common
∴ ∆𝑃𝑄𝑅 ||| ∆𝑆𝑃𝑄
𝑃𝑄 𝑃𝑅 𝑄𝑅
∴ = =
𝑄𝑆 𝑆𝑃 𝑃𝑄
𝑃𝑄 𝑄𝑅
∴ =
𝑄𝑆 𝑃𝑄
𝑃𝑄2 = 𝑄𝑅 ∙ 𝑄𝑆
EXAMPLES

Example 1

The points 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 lie on a circle with centre 𝑂, as shown in the diagram. The size of
3π
∠𝐴𝑂𝐶 is radians. What is the size of ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 in radians?
5

Solution

3𝜋
Obtuse ∠𝐴𝑂𝐶 = 2𝜋 −
5
10𝜋 3𝜋
= −
5 5
7𝜋
=
5
1
∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 = × Obtuse ∠𝐴𝑂𝐶 (angle at the circumference is half the angle
2

at the centre subtended by the same arc)

1 7𝜋
∴ = ×
2 5
7𝜋
= radians
10
Example 2

The circles 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 touch at the point 𝑇. The points 𝐴 and 𝑃 are on 𝐶1 . The line 𝐴𝑇
intersects 𝐶2 at 𝐵. The point 𝑄 on 𝐶2 is chosen so that 𝐵𝑄 is parallel to 𝑃𝐴. Prove that the
points 𝑄, 𝑇 and 𝑃 are collinear.

Solution

The circles 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 have a common tangent at 𝑇.

Choose points 𝑋 and 𝑌 on that tangent as marked on the diagram above.

∠𝑌𝑇𝑃 = ∠𝑃𝐴𝑇 = 𝛼 (angle in alternate segment, chord 𝑃𝑇 and tangent 𝑋𝑌)

∠𝑋𝑇𝑄 = ∠𝑄𝐵𝑇 = 𝛽 (angle in alternate segment, chord 𝑄𝑇 and tangent 𝑋𝑌)
But ∠𝑃𝐴𝑇 = ∠𝑄𝐵𝑇 (alternate angles equal, 𝐵𝑄 ∥ 𝑃𝐴)
i.e. 𝛼 = 𝛽
∴ ∠𝑌𝑇𝑃 = ∠𝑋𝑇𝑄

Hence 𝑄𝑃 is a straight line making equal vertically opposite angles with line 𝑋𝑌 at 𝑇.

∴ 𝑃, 𝑇, 𝑄 are collinear.
Example 3

The points 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝑃 lie on a circle centred at 𝑂. The tangents to the circle at 𝐴 and 𝐵 meet
at the point 𝑇, and ∠𝐴𝑇𝐵 = 𝜃. What is ∠𝐴𝑃𝐵 in terms of 𝜃 ?

Solution

Draw 𝑂𝐴 and 𝑂𝐵.

𝑇𝐴𝑂𝐵 is a quadrilateral.

∠𝑂𝐴𝑇 = ∠𝑂𝐵𝑇 = 90° (tangent to a circle is ⊥ to the radius drawn from the point of contact)

∴ ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵 = 360 − 2 × 90 − 𝜃 (interior angle sum of a quadrilateral is 360°)

= 180 − 𝜃
1 1
∠𝐴𝑃𝐵 = × ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵 (∠ at the circumference is the ∠ at the centre subtended by the same arc)
2 2
1
= (180 − 𝜃)
2
𝜃
= 90 −
2

Example 4

The diagram shows a large semicircle with diameter 𝐴𝐵 and two smaller semicircles with
diameters 𝐴𝐶 and 𝐵𝐶 , respectively, where 𝐶 is a point on the diameter 𝐴𝐵. The point 𝑀 is the
centre of the semicircle with diameter 𝐴𝐶 .

The line perpendicular to 𝐴𝐵 through 𝐶 meets the largest semicircle at the point 𝐷. The
points 𝑆 and 𝑇 are the intersections of the lines 𝐴𝐷 and 𝐵𝐷 with the smaller semicircles. The
point 𝑋 is the intersection of the lines 𝐶𝐷 and 𝑆𝑇.
(i) Explain why 𝐶𝑇𝐷𝑆 is a rectangle. 1

Solution

∠𝐴𝑆𝐶 = 90° (angle in a semi-circle, diameter 𝐴𝐶)

∠𝐷𝑆𝐶 = 90° (adjacent supplementary angles)

Similarly ∠𝐷𝑇𝐶 = 90°

∠𝐴𝐷𝐵 = 90° (angle in a semi-circle, diameter 𝐴𝐵)

Hence 𝐶𝑇𝐷𝑆 is a rectangle since all angles are 90°.

(ii) Show that ∆𝑀𝑋𝑆 and ∆𝑀𝑋𝐶 are congruent. 2

Solution

As the diagonals of a rectangle are equal and intersect at their midpoints, 𝑋𝑆 = 𝑋𝐶

As 𝑆 and 𝐶 are on the same circle with centre 𝑀, 𝑀𝑆 = 𝑀𝐶 (equal radii)

𝑀𝑋 is common to the triangles 𝑀𝑋𝑆 and 𝑀𝑋𝐶

Hence ∆𝑀𝑋𝑆 ≡ ∆𝑀𝑋𝐶 (SSS)

(iii) Show that the line 𝑆𝑇 is a tangent to the semicircle with diameter 𝐴𝐶 . 1

Solution

∠𝑀𝐶𝑋 = 90° as 𝐷𝐶 ⊥ 𝐴𝐵 (given)

∠𝑀𝐶𝑋 = ∠𝑀𝑆𝑋 (corresponding angles in congruent triangles)

i.e. ∠𝑀𝑆𝑋 = 90°

Hence radius 𝑀𝑆 ⊥ 𝑆𝑇 at the point of contact, and 𝑆𝑇 is a tangent.