Cyclic quadrilaterals

The vertices of a cyclic quadrilateral lie on the circumference of a circle. In fig. 9, ABCD and
PQRS are cyclic quadrilaterals.
B

A
P

D C S Q
Fig. 16 R

Notice that opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral lie in opposite segments of a circle.

D C
B

D C
Fig. 17

Theorem 4

The opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral are supplementary or Angles in the same segment
are supplementary.

Given: a cyclic quadrilateral ABCD.

To prove: <BAD + <BCD = 180°

 A
x
B
2y
D 2x O
Fig. 18 y
C
Construction: Join B and D to the centre O of circle ABCD.

Proof:

With the lettering in the fig. above,

<BOD = 2y (angle at centre = 2 ×angle at circumference)

Reflex <BOD = 2x ( same reason)

∴ 2 x +2 y=360 ° ( angles at a point )

∴ x+ y =180°
∴< BAD+¿ BC D=180 ° It follows from theorem 4 that the exterior angle of a cyclic
quadrilateral is equal to the interior opposite angle.

A
B
x1

y x2
D C X
Fig. 19

With the lettering in the fig. above,

x1 + y =180° (opposite angles of cyclic quadrilateral)

x2 + y = 180° (straight angle)

∴ x1=x2 (= 180 – y)

∴<BCX = <BAD

Example 1
___ ___
In the fig. below, ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral such that AB// DC. If <ACD = 35° and <DBC
= 72° . Calculate the sizes of the angles of the trapezium.

B
A >
72°

35° C
Fig. 20 D >

Solution

<ABD = 35° , <CAD = 72° , < BDC = 35° ,<BAD = 35°

∴ <A = 107° , <B = 107° , C = 73° and <D = 73°

Example 2 In the fig. below, <POR + 80° and <SRT = 20° . What size is <PXR?
P T

X
S

80° 20°

Q R
Fig. 21

Solution

<PSR = 100° , <SXR = 180° - (20° +100 °) = 60°

∴ < PXR = 180° - 60° = 120°