Properties of Circle

Lines and circles are the important elementary figures in geometry. We know that a line
is a locus of a point moving in a constant direction, whereas the circle is a locus of a
point moving at a constant distance from some fixed point. The theoretical importance
of the circle is reflected in the number of amazing applications. Here we will discuss the
properties of a circle, area and circumference of a circle in detail.

Circle Definition

The collection of all the points in a plane, which are at a fixed distance from a fixed point
in the plane, is called a circle. Here, the fixed point is called the centre “O”. Some of the
important terminologies used in the circle are as follows:
 

Terms  Description

Circumference The boundary of the circle is known as the circumference

The line from the centre “O” of the circle to the circumference of the circle is called the radius
Radius
and it is denoted by “R” or “r”

The line that passes through the centre of the circle and touches the two points on the
Diameter circumference is called the diameter and
it is denoted by the symbol “D” or “d”

Arc is the part of the circumference where the largest arc is called the major arc and the
Arc
smaller one is called the minor arc

Sector Sector is slice of a circle bounded by two radii and the included arc of a circle

Chord The straight line that joins any two points on the circumference of a circle is called the chord
Tangent A line that touches the circumference of a circle at a point is called the tangent

Secant A line that cuts the circle at the two distinct points is known as the secant

Circle Properties
Some of the important properties of the circle are as follows:

 The circles are said to be congruent if they have equal radii

 The diameter of a circle is the longest chord of a circle
 Equal chords of a circle subtend equal angles at the centre
 The radius drawn perpendicular to the chord bisects the chord
 Circles having different radius are similar
 A circle can circumscribe a rectangle, trapezium, triangle, square, kite
 A circle can be inscribed inside a square, triangle and kite
 The chords that are equidistant from the centre are equal in length
 The distance from the centre of the circle to the longest chord (diameter) is zero
 The perpendicular distance from the centre of the circle decreases when the length of the
chord increases
 If the tangents are drawn at the end of the diameter, they are parallel to each other
 An isosceles triangle is formed when the radii joining the ends of a chord to the centre of a
circle

Circle Formulas
Area of a circle, A = πr2 square units

The circumference of a circle = 2πr units

The circumference of a circle formula can also be written as πd.

Where,

Diameter = 2 x Radius

d = 2r

Here “r” represents the radius of a circle.

 What is a Circle and its properties?
(Definition, Formulas, Examples)
Posted by 

Ashutosh | Mar 24, 2023

8min read

 | Geometry, GMAT Quant, Prepare for GMAT

A circle is a closed shape formed by tracing a point that moves in a plane such that its
distance from a given point is constant. The word circle is derived from the Greek
word kirkos, meaning hoop or ring. In this article, we cover the properties of a circle,
important terms related to circles, and the various circle formulas.
Following is a brief outline of the topics that we will cover in this article:

 Definition of a Circle | Properties of Circle

 Terms related to Circles | Circle and properties of circle
 Center
 Radius
 Diameter
 Circumference
 Arc of a circle
 Sector of a circle:
  Semi-circle
 Important Properties of Circles – Related to Lines
 Chord
 Tangent
 Important Properties of Circles – Related to Angles
 Inscribed Angle
 Central Angle
 Important Circle Formulas:
 Perimeter:
 Area:
 Application of the properties in the GMAT questions
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Definition of a Circle | Properties of Circle
When a set of all points that are at a fixed distance from a fixed point are joined then the
geometrical figure obtained is called circle.

Let us now learn a bit about the terminology used in circles.

Terms related to Circles | Circle and properties of circle

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Center

The fixed point in the circle is called the center.

 So, the set of points are at a fixed distance from the center of the circle.
Radius

Radius is the fixed distance between the center and the set of points. It is denoted by “R”.
Diameter

The diameter is a line segment, having boundary points of circles as the endpoints and
passing through the center.

 So, logically a diameter can be broken into two parts:

 One part from one boundary point of the circle to the center

 And, the other part from the center to another boundary point.

 Hence, Diameter = Twice the length of the radius or “D = 2R”

Circumference

It is the measure of the outside boundary of the circle.

So, the length of the circle or the perimeter of the circle is called Circumference.
Arc of a circle

The arc of a circle is a portion of the circumference.

From any two points that lie on the boundary of the circle, two arcs can be created: A
Minor and a Major Arc.

 Minor arc: The shorter arc created by two points.

 Major Arc: The longer arc created by two points.
Sector of a circle:

A Sector is formed by joining the endpoints of an arc with the center.

 On joining the endpoints with the center, two sectors will be obtained: Minor and
Major.

 By default, we only consider the Minor sector unless it is mentioned

otherwise.

Semi-circle

A semi-circle is half part of the circle or,

 A semi-circle is obtained when a circle is divided into two equal parts.

Now that we know all the terminologies related to the circles, let us learn about the
properties of a circle.

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help you achieve mastery in GMAT Geometry. Start by signing up for a free trial and
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Important Properties of Circles – Related to Lines

Properties related to Lines in a Circle | Properties of circle

Chord

A chord is a line segment whose endpoints lie on the boundary of the circle.
Properties of Chord
1. Perpendicular dropped from the center divides a chord into two equal parts.

Tangent

Tangent is a line that touches the circle at any point.

Properties of Tangent
1. Radius is always perpendicular to the tangent at the point where it touches the
circle.
Important Properties of Circles – Related to Angles
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Properties related to Angles in a circle | Properties of Circle
Inscribed Angle

An inscribed angle is the angle formed between two chords when they meet on the
boundary of the circle.

Properties of Inscribed Angles

1. Angles formed by the same arc on the circumference of the circle is always equal.
2. The angle in a semi-circle is always 90°.Central Angle
A central angle is the angle formed when two-line segments meet such that one of the
endpoints of both the line segment is at the center and another is at the boundary of the
circle.

 Property of Central Angles

 An angle formed by an arc at the center is twice the inscribed angle formed by the
same arc.
Important Circle Formulas: Area and Perimeter |
Properties of circle
The following are some mathematical formulae that will help you calculate the area and
perimeter/circumference of a circle.

Perimeter:
 Perimeter or the Circumference of the circle = 2 × π × R.

 Length of an Arc = (Central angle made by the arc/360°) × 2 × π × R.

Area:
 Area of the circle = π × R²

 Area of the sector =(Central angle made by the sector/360°) × π × R².

Summary of all the Properties of a Circle

Here is a summarized list of all the properties we have learned in the article up to this
point.

Property Element Description

Lines in a circle Chord Perpendicular dropped from the center divides the chord into two equal p

The radius is always perpendicular to the tangent at the point where it tou
Tangent circle.

1. Angles formed by the same arc on the circumference of the circle is alw
equal.
Angles in a circle Inscribed Angle 2. The angle in a semi-circle is always 90.

The angle formed by an arc at the center is twice the inscribed angle form
Central Angle same arc.

Important Circumference of a
Formulae circle 2 × π × R.

Length of an arc (Central angle made by the arc/360°) × 2 × π × R

Area of a circle π × R²
 Area of a sector (Central angle made by the arc/360°) × π × R²

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Application of the circle properties in the questions

Question 1

The lengths of two sides in a right-angle triangle other than hypotenuse are 6 cm and 8
cm. If this right-angle triangle is inscribed in a circle, then what is the area of the circle?
1. 5 π
2. 10 π
3. 15 π
4. 20 π
5. 25 π
Solution

Step 1: Given
 The lengths of two sides other than hypotenuse of a right triangle are 6 cm and 8
cm.

 This triangle is inscribed in a circle.

Step 2: To find
 Area of the circle.
Step 3: Approach and Working out
Let us draw the diagrammatic representation.

By applying the property that the angle in a semi-circle is 90º, we can say that AB is the
diameter of the circle.

 And, once we find the length of the diameter, we can find the radius, and then we
can find the area of the circle as well.

Applying Pythagoras theorem in △ ABC,

 AB² = AC² + BC²

 AB² = 6² + 8² = 36 +64 = 100

 AB = 10 cm

Since AB is the diameter, AB = 2R = 10

 Hence, R = 5 cm.

Area of the circle = π × R²= π × 5² = 25 π.

Hence, the correct answer is option E.

Question 2

In the diagram given above, O is the center of the circle. If OB = 5 cm and ∠ABC =
300 then what the length of the arc AC?
1. 5π/6
2. 5π/3
3. 5π/2
4. 5π
5. 10π
Solution

Step 1: Given
 OB = 5 cm

 ∠ABC = 30°

Step 2: To find
 Length of the arc

Step 3: Approach and Working out

 Length of the arc =  (Central angle made by the arc/360°) × 2 × π × R.

To find the length of the arc, we need the value of two variable, the center angle made by
the arc and the radius.
  We are already given radius as OB = 5cm

 We need to find the ∠AOC

On visualizing the diagram, the inscribed angle by the arc AC is ∠ABC, and the center
angle by arc AC is ∠AOC.

 Hence, we can apply the property that the angle made at the center by an arc is
twice the inscribed angle formed by the same arc.

 Thus, ∠AOC = 2 × ∠ABC = 2 × 30° = 60°

Now, we know the central angle formed by the arc as well.

 Hence, length of the arc AC =(Central angle made by the arc/360°) × 2 × π × R.

 =(60°/360°) × 2 × π × 5.

 =(1/6) × 2 × π × 5.

 =(5π/3) cm

Thus, the correct answer is option B.

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Circle Definitions:

Geometrical Properties of Circle:

If 2 chords in a circle area congruent, then the 2 angles at the centre of the circle are
identical.

AB = CD (Equal Chords)

∠ AOB = ∠ COD

The perpendicular bisector of a chord passes through the centre of a circle

E.g.

AD = DB

∠CDA = ∠CDB

=90°

2 congurent chords in a circle are of the same distance from the centre of the circle.

E.g.

AB = CD

OX = OY

Angle Properties Of Cicle:

Angle in a semi circle is a right angle.

∠AXB = ∠AYB = 90°

Angles in the same segment are equal

∠p = ∠p = ∠p
Terms in this set (12)
Isosceles triangle.
Radius, equal Length.

Perpendicular from center bisects cord.

AX=BX

Equal cord, equal distance from center.

XO=YO

Angle in a semi circle.

Angle ABC =90 degrees.

Angle at center is twice angle at circumference.

At O =2a.

Angle at center is twice angle at circumference.

At O =2a.
Angle at center is twice angle at circumference.
At O =2a.

Angle at center is twice angle at circumference.

At O =2a.

Angles in the same segment.

a1=a2, b1=b2

Angles in opposite segments.

a+b=180 degrees.

Tangent perpendicular radius.

Angle OAB =90 degrees.

Tangents from an exterior point.

AB=CB