Circles and Angles

Euclid Club 2022

February 2022

1 Introduction
The theme of this handout is Euclidean Geometry; as such, the essential theorems are needed.

Theorem 1.1 (Congruent/Similar Triangles conditions): SAS, SSS, ASA, AAS (only AA is required for Similarity)

Theorem 1.2 (Interior Angles Sum): The angles of a triangle sum to 180 ○ , quadrilateral to 360 ○ , pentagon to 540 ○ , etc.

Theorem 1.3 (Pythagorean Theorem): Given a right angled triangle △ABC with ∠C = 90 ○ , we have a 2 + b 2 = c 2 .

Geometry involving circles is a very common topic on the Euclid, especially the later questions. Let’s start with some
basic definitions:

Circle: A set of points a fixed distance (radius) away from a center.

We can name circles by their center (circle O) or by using 3 points on the circle (circle ABC)

Tangent: A line that intersects a circle exactly once.

Secant: A line that intersects a circle twice.

̂ is the path along the circle starting at A and ending at B (or vice versa).
Arc: arc AB
Minor/Major arcs: Minor arc means an arc which spans less than half the circle, while Major arc means an arc which
spans more than half the circle.

Chord: A line segment with both endpoints on the same circle.

Figure 1: Example

̂ is an arc, BCD
In this example, BD ̂ is a major arc (if the diagram is to scale), we can call the circle ”circle BCD”, AB
is a tangent, ACD is a secant, CD is a chord.
Theorem 1.4 (Property of chords and the center) The perpendicular bisector of a chord passes through the center of the circle.
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Proof. Let points A, B be on circle O. The perpendicular bisector of AB is all points that are equidistant from AB;
and all points equidistant from A, B are on the perpendicular bisector. Since OA = OB, O is on the perpendicular bisector
of AB.

Theorem 1.5 (Property of tangents) The two tangents from a point A to a circle O are equidistant.

Proof. Notice that the tangents are symmetric on the line of symmetry AO.∎

2 Arc Angles
We can assign angles to arcs, similar to how we describe radians. Arcs are measured in degrees; the full circle is 360○ .
More formally, we can define an arc’s angle to be the same as the angle subtended by the center. That is, given AB, arc
̂ is the same angle as ∠AOB where O is the center.
AB
̂ and the angle AOB that is more than 180○ is the major arc
The angle AOB that is less than 180○ is the minor arc AB,

Figure 2: Central angle AOB = arc AB

̂
AB.

The main reason we use arc angles is because of the following theorem:

Theorem 2.1 (Star Trek Theorem/Inscribed Angle Theorem)

Given points A,B,C on a circle, angle BAC is half the measure of arc BC not including A.

Proof. Extend AO through O so that AO intersects the circle again at D. Also let ∠OAC = β and ∠BAO = α. Notice
AO = BO = CO, so ∠COD = 2β and ∠BOD = 2α. Thus, CB ̂ = 2(α + β) = 2∠BAC.
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Now, the case that A is ”outside” or ”on” the shadow of BC is slightly more difficult, but has the same idea. It
can be left as an exercise to the reader.

One important implication of this theorem is that any inscribed right angle subtends a diameter of the circle.

Not only are arc angles effective for angles inside the circle, but also for angles outside!

Theorem 2.2 (Tangent Chord Theorem)

Given a tangent AB with A on the circle and C is another point on the circle, angle BAC is half the arc AC.

Figure 3: Tangent Chord theorem

1̂
Proof. Extend AO to meet the circle again at F . Notice F AB is a right angle, and that angle F AC is the same as F C.
2
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 1̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ 1 1
Since 90○ = AF , AC = AF − F C = (∠F AB − ∠F AC) = ∠BAC.∎
2 2 2
Similarly, we can also use it on secants:

Theorem 2.3 (Secant Angle Theorem)

Given secants PA and PB first intersecting a circle at C and D respectively, angle APB is the half of arc BA minus arc DC.

1̂ 1̂
Proof. Draw BC and DA. Notice ∠P CB = 180 − ∠BCA = 180 − BA by Theorem 2.1 and also ∠P BC = ∠DBC = DC.
2 2
1̂ 1̂ 1 ̂ ̂
Since ∠AP B = ∠CP B, by Theorem 1.2 we get ∠AP B = 180−∠P CB−∠P BC = 180−(180− BA)− DC = (BA− DC).∎
2 2 2

Let’s go through a problem that uses some of the theorems in this section.

Problem 2.4 In the diagram, triangle ABC has a right angle at B and M is the midpoint of BC. A circle is drawn
using BC as its diameter. P is the point of intersection of the circle with AC. The tangent to the circle at P cuts
AB at Q. Prove that QM is parallel to AC.

̂ = 2(90 − ∠A) and CP

Since the angles of triangle ABC add to 180, we must have ∠C = 90 − ∠A. Thus, BP ̂ = 2∠A. So,
by Secant Angle Theorem, = 2∠A (after some algebra). Since M Q bisects ∠BQP (M is the center of the circle), we have
∠BQM = ∠A. Thus QM ∣∣AC.

3 Cyclic Quadrilaterals
A cyclic quadrilateral is a quadrilateral that is inscribed in a circle (all 4 vertices lie on a circle’s circumference). Most
of the properties of a cyclic quadrilateral are derived from the fact that we can put it on a circle, but recognizing cyclic
quadrilaterals is often very helpful for chasing angles.

Theorem 3.1 The sum of opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral equals 180○ .

̂ BC,
Proof. Given cyclic quad ABCD, let AB, ̂ CD,
̂ DÂ be a○ ,b○ ,c○ ,d○ respectively. We then know by Theorem 2.1
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∠(ADB) = ∠(ACB) = a/2, ∠(BAC) = ∠(BDC) = b/2, ∠(CAD) = ∠(CBD) = c/2, ∠(ABD) = ∠(ACD) = d/2.

We now get ∠(ABC) + ∠(ADC) = ∠(BAD) + ∠(BCD) = (a + b + c + d)/2. Since we know a + b + c + d = 360○ , we get
∠(ABC) + ∠(ADC) = ∠(BAD) + ∠(BCD) = 180○
This also works the other way - any quadrilateral whose opposite angles add to 180○ is also a cyclic quadrilateral.

This is also true for inscribed angles, as shown in the diagram:

Figure 4: Cyclic quads

That is, ABCD is cyclic if ∠ABD = ∠ACD.

Let’s do an example of a problem where you need to use some of these properties:
Problem 3.2 Show that a trapezoid is cyclic if it is isosceles.

Here, AD∣∣BC. If ABCD is isosceles, then we have ∠B = ∠C. Then, ∠B + ∠D = ∠B + 180○ − ∠C = 180○ . So,
ABCD is isosceles.

Conversely, if ABCD was inscribed in a circle, then we would have ∠D+∠B = 180○ . Since AD∣∣BC, ∠C = 180○ −∠D = ∠B.
Therefore, ABCD is cyclic.
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4 Power of a Point
Theorem 4.1 (Power of a Point) Given chords (or secants) AB and CD, let their point of intersection be P . Then P A⋅
P B = P C ⋅ P D.
In other words, P A ⋅ P B is constant no matter which A, B we choose, as long as P, A, B lie on a line and A, B on the
circle.

PD PB
Proof. From inscribed angles, we have ∠A = ∠C. Also, ∠D = ∠B, so we have △DAP ∼ △BCP . Thus, = so
PA PC
P A ⋅ P B = P D ⋅ P C. This also works if the point P is outside the circle:

The proof of this one is quite similar as the previous: notice ∠A = ∠C, and the rest is the same as above. If we
had another tangent P E, we could also use the same proof to show that P E 2 = P A ⋅ P B.

5 Review Problems

5.1
In the diagram, ABC is a quarter of a circular pizza with center A and radius 20 cm. The piece of pizza is placed on a
circular pan with A, B and C touching the circumference of the pan, as shown. What fraction of the pan is covered by
the piece of pizza?
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5.2
In the diagram, line segment F CG passes through vertex C of square ABCD, with F lying on AB extended and G lying
on AD extended. Prove that AB 1
= AF
1
+ AG1
.

5.3
In the diagram, △ABC has AB = AC and ∠BAC < 60○ . Point D is on AC with BC = BD. Point E is on AB with
BE = ED. If ∠BAC = θ, determine ∠BED in terms of θ.

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5.4
Let ABC be a triangle and ω be its circumcircle. The point M is the midpoint of arc BC not containing A on ω and D
is chosen so that DM is tangent to ω and is on the same side of AM as C. It is given that AM = AC and ∠DM C = 38○ .
Find the measure of angle ∠ACB.

5.5
In triangle ABC, AB = BC = 25 and AC = 30. The circle with diameter BC intersects AB at X and AC at Y. Determine
the length of XY.

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6 Challenge Problems

6.1
Cyclic quadrilateral ABCD has AB = AD = 1, CD = cos ∠ABC, and cos ∠BAD = − 31 . Prove that BC is a diameter of
the circumscribed circle.

6.2
In the diagram, line segments AC and DF are tangent to the circle at B and E, respectively. Also, AF intersects the
circle at P and R, and intersects BE at Q, as shown. If ∠CAF = 35○ , ∠DF A = 30○ , and ∠F P E = 25○ , determine the
measure of ∠P EQ.

6.3
In the diagram, AB and BC are chords of the circle with AB < BC. if D is the point on the circle such that AD is
perpendicular to BC and E is the point on the circle such that DE is parallel to BC, prove that ∠EAC + ∠ABC = 90○ .

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6.4
A circle has center O and radius 1. Quadrilateral ABCD has all 4 sides tangent to the circle at points P, Q, S, and T, as
shown. Also, ∠AOB = ∠BOC = ∠COD = ∠DOA. If AO = 3, determine the length of DS.

6.5
In the following diagram, two lines that meet at a point A are tangent to a circle at points B and C. The line parallel to
AC passing through B meets the circle again at D. Join the segments CD and AD. Suppose AB = 49 and CD = 28. The
length of AD is a positive integer n. Determine n.

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6.6
In this diagram, the two circles are tangent at A. The line BDC is tangent to the smaller circle. Show that AD bisects
∠BAC.

6.7
ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral, as shown, with side AD = d where d is the diameter of the circle. AB = a, BC = a and
CD = b. If a, b and d are integers a ≠ b,

• (a) prove that d cannot be a prime number.

• (b) determine the minimum value of d.

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