Chapter 9 Properties of the Circle

INTRODUCTION
IN CHAPTER 4, YOU STUDIED the geometry of angles, triangles, quadrilaterals

and other polygons. This chapter shows you some properties of the circle.

DID YOU KNOW?

A rainbow is the shape of an arc of a circle. If you
could see the whole rainbow, it would form a circle.
Research the rainbow on the Internet and find out
more about its shape and other properties.

Parts of a Circle
An arc is a part of the circumference.

A tangent touches the circle at one point.

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Concentric circles are circles that have the same centre.

Equal circles have the same radius.

DID YOU KNOW?

Leonardo da Vinci (14521519) was a great artist, scientist and inventor. He studied geometry,
and many of his model drawings show this influence. His drawings included designs for
flying machines, spring-driven automobiles, bridges and weapons. Leonardos designs were
revolutionary, and the scientists of his time did not have the knowledge needed to make the
models work.

Arcs, Angles and Chords

Equal arcs subtend equal angles at the centre of the circle.

Chapter 9 Properties of the Circle

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Proof
Let two equal arcs have lengths l 1 and l 2, and subtend angles of a and b at the
centre of the circle.
Using l = ri , l 1 = ra and l 2 = rb
But l 1 = l 2
` ra = rb
`
a=b
The converse is also true:

If two arcs subtend equal angles at the centre of the

circle, then the arcs are equal.

EXAMPLE

AB is a diameter of the circle with centre O. Arc CB = arc BD.

Prove +AOC = +AOD.

Solution
Since arc CB = arc BD,+COB = +DOB
Let
+COB = +DOB = x
Then +AOC = 180c - +COB
= 180c - x
Also +AOD = 180c - +DOB
= 180c - x
`
+AOC = +AOD

(+AOB is a straight angle)

(similarly)

You will study the formula

l = r i in Chapter 5 of
the HSC Course book.

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Equal chords subtend equal angles at the centre of the circle.

Proof
OA = OC
OB = OD
AB = CD
` by SSS, DOAB / DOCD
`
+AOB = +COD

(equal radii)
(similarly)
(given)
(corresponding +s in congruent Ds)

The converse in also true:

Equal angles subtended at the centre of the circle cut off equal chords.

EXAMPLE

AD is a diameter of the circle with centre O, where AB = CD. Prove that

BC < AD.

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Solution
Since
AB = CD, +AOB = +COD
Let +AOB = +COD = x
Then +BOC = 180c - (x + x)
= 180c - 2x
OB = OC
` D OBC is isosceles with +OBC = +OCB
+OBC + +OCB + 180c - 2x = 180c
+OBC + +OCB = 2x
`
+OBC = +OCB = x
`
+OBC = +AOB

(+AOD is a straight +)
(equal radii)
(+ sum of DOBC)

But these are equal alternate angles

` BC < AD

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

circumference subtended by the same arc.

These figures show that

this property can look
quite different in different
situations.

Proof

Join AO and produce to D.

Let +BAO = x and +CAO = y
` +BAC = x + y
OA = OB

(equal radii)

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` +OBA = x
= +BAO
OA = OC

(base +s of isosceles D)

` +OCA = y
= +CAO

(base +s of isosceles D)

(equal radii)

+BOD = x + x
= 2x

(exterior + of DOBA)

+COD = y + y
= 2y
+BOC = +BOD + +COD
= 2x + 2y
= 2 (x + y)
= 2+BAC

(exterior + of DOCA)

EXAMPLES
1. Find the values of x and y.

Solution
x = 40
(+ at centre is twice the + at the circumference)
Reflex +BOC = 360c - 80c (+ of revolution)
= 280c
`

y = 140

(+ at centre is twice the + at the circumference)

2. Prove +BOC is twice the size of +OCA.

Chapter 9 Properties of the Circle

Solution
Let +OAC = x
+BOC = 2+OAC
= 2x
`
`

(+ at centre is twice the + at the circumference)

OA = OC
^ equal radii h
+OCA = +OAC = x (base +s of isosceles D)
+BOC = 2+OCA

Angles in the same segment of a circle are equal.

Proof

Join A and D to centre O

+AOD = 2+ABD
+AOD = 2+ACD
` +ABD = +ACD

(+ at centre is twice the + at the circumference)

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EXAMPLE
Prove D ABC and D DEC are similar. Hence find the value of y correct to
1 decimal place.

Solution
+ABC = +DEC
+BCA = +ECD

(+s in same segment)

(vertically opposite +s)

` D ABC ||| D DEC

EC
ED
`
=
BA
BC
y
6 .5
=
1 .7
1.2
1 .2y = 1 . 7 # 6. 5
1 .7 # 6 .5
y=
1 .2
= 9.2 cm correct to 1 decimal place.

The angle in a semicircle is a right angle.

Proof

Chapter 9 Properties of the Circle

+AOB = 180c
+AOB = 2+ACB
` +ACB = 90c

(straight +)
(+ at centre is twice the + at the circumference)

EXAMPLE
AB is a diameter of the circle below. If BC = 2 m and AB = 9 m, find the
exact length of AC.

Solution
+ACB = 90c
` AB 2 = AC 2 + BC 2
9 2 = AC 2 + 2 2
81 = AC 2 + 4
77 = AC 2
` AC =

77 m

9.1 Exercises
1.

Find values of all pronumerals

(O is the centre of each circle).
(a)

(b)

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(c)

3.

Find values of all pronumerals

(O is the centre of each circle).
(a)

(d)
(b)

(e)
(c)

(f)
(d)

2.

The circumference of a circle is

16r cm. Find the length of the
arc that subtends an angle of 40c
at the centre of the circle.

(e)

Chapter 9 Properties of the Circle

(f)

4.

Find values of all pronumerals

(O is the centre of each circle).
(a)

(g)
(b)

(h)
(c)

(i)
(d)

(j)

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(e)

(f)

(j)

5.

(a) Prove D ABC ||| D DEC.

(b) Hence find the value of x
correct to 1 decimal place.

6.

Find x and y, giving reasons.

7.

Find x and y, giving reasons.

(g)

(h)

(i)

Chapter 9 Properties of the Circle

8.

Evaluate x, giving reasons for

each step in your calculation.

11. Find x, giving reasons for each

step in your calculations.

9.

Prove D STV and DWUV are

similar. Hence find x.

12. The circle below has centre O.

D

O y
A

x
38c
B

10. AB = 6 cm and BC = 3 cm. O is

the centre of the circle. Show
that the radius of the circle is
3 5
cm.
2

(a) Evaluate x and y.

(b) Show that AD = BC.
13. Show that AD < BC in the circle
below.
A

33c

114c

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