ST.

MONICA’S SECONDAR SCHOOL

CIRCLE THEOREM NOTES AND

EXAMINATION QUESTION WITH
SOLUTIONS

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY

CELL NUMBER: 0968714572 / 0975875061
 TEACHING NOTES ON CIRCLE THEOREM

Circumference: A circmfernce is the total distance around the circle. ABDEC is the
circumference of the circle

Diameter: A diameter is a straight line drawn passing through the centre of the circle and joins
two opposite points of the circumference of the circle. AC is the diameter.

An Arc: This is the part of the circumference: AB is an arc.

Radius: This is a straight line drawn from the centre of the circle to any point on the
circumference. It is half the circumference. OA, OB and OC are all radii.

A Chord: A line joining two points on the circumference. DE is a chord.

A segment: Area bounded by an arc and a chord.

A sector: Area bounded by two radii and an arc. OAB is a sector.

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 1

 ANGLE PROPERTIES
(a) THEOREM 1
The angle at the centre of the circle is twice the angle at the circumference subtended by
the same arc. This also means that the angle at the circumference is half the angle at the
Centre.

Property 2
Angles in the same segment are equal.

𝐴𝐵̂ 𝐸 = 𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐸 = 𝐴𝐷
̂𝐸
𝑥 = 𝑦 = 𝑧 (angles on the same segment)

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 2

THEOREM 3
Angle formed in a semi-circle is a right angle that is equal to 90°

THEOREM 4
Opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral are supplementary (add up to 180°). A cyclic
quadrilateral is a quadrilateral that can be inscribed (drawn inside) in a circle.

𝑥 + 𝑦 = 180
𝑎 + 𝑏 = 180

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 3

EXAMPLES
1. The diagram below shows a circle ABCDE with Centre O and angle 𝐶𝑂𝐷 = 100°

Calculate
(i) 𝐶𝐵̂ 𝐷,
(ii) 𝐶𝐸̂ 𝐷,
(iii) 𝑂𝐶̂ 𝐷,
(iv) 𝐶𝐴̂𝐷,
Solution

(i) 𝐶𝐵̂ 𝐷 = 100° ÷ 2 ( ∠ at the Centre half angle at the circumference)

𝐶𝐵̂ 𝐷 = 50°
(ii) 𝐶𝐸̂ 𝐷 + 𝐶𝐵̂ 𝐷 = 180° (opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral)
𝐶𝐸̂ 𝐷 = 180° − 50°
𝐶𝐸̂ 𝐷 = 130°
(iii) 𝑂𝐶̂ 𝐷 = (180 − 100) ÷ 2 (base angles in an isosceles triangle)
𝑂𝐶̂ 𝐷 = 50° ÷ 2
𝑂𝐶̂ 𝐷 = 25°
(iv) 𝐶𝐴̂𝐷 = 𝐶𝐵𝐷 (∠s in the same segment are equal)
𝐶𝐴̂𝐷 = 50°

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 4

 2. The points P, Q and R are on the circumference and O is the centre of the circle

Calculate the value of 𝑥

Solution
3𝑥 + 60° + 90° = 180°
3𝑥 + 150° = 180°
3𝑥 = 180° − 150°
3𝑥 = 30°
𝑥 = 10°

THEOREM 5
The radius of the circle is perpendicular to the tangent at the point of contact.

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 5

ABC is a tangent to the circle and ∠𝑂𝐵𝐶 = 90°
THEOREM 6

Two tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are of the same length.

Note: ∠𝐵𝑂𝐶 + ∠𝐵𝐴𝐶 = 180°

THEOREM 7
If the chord is drawn, from the point of contact with the tangent where the tangent touches the
circle, then the angle which the tangent makes with the chord is equal to any angle in the
alternate segment

𝑥=𝑦

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 6

Example 1
1. In the diagram below, P, Q and R are points on the circumference of the circle. XPY is
the tangent to the circle and 𝑄𝑃𝑅 = 36°

Calculate
(a) ∠ PRQ,
(b) ∠RSP,
(c) ∠YPR.

Solution
(a) ∠𝑃𝑄𝑅 = 180° − (2 × 36°) ( base ∠𝑠 of an isosceles Δ)
∠𝑃𝑄𝑅 = 180° − 72°
∠𝑃𝑄𝑅 = 108°
(𝑏) ∠𝑅𝑆𝑃 = 180° − 108° (Opposite ∠𝑠𝑠 in a cyclic quadrilateral)
∠𝑅𝑆𝑃 = 72°
(c) ∠𝑌𝑃𝑅 = ∠𝑃𝑄𝑅 (alternate segment and opposite interior angle)
∠𝑌𝑃𝑅 = 108°

2. T, X and Y are points on the circle with centre O. TP is a tangent to the circle and angle
𝑋𝑂𝑌 = 60°.

Calculate the following angles

(a) XYT,
(b) XTY,
(c) PTY.

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 7

Solution

(a) ∠𝑋𝑌𝑇 = 90° (angle in the semi-circle)

(b) ∠𝑋𝑇𝑌 = 60° ÷ 2 (∠ at the Centre half that on the circumference)
∠𝑋𝑇𝑌 = 30°
(c) ∠𝑃𝑇𝑌 + 𝑋𝑇𝑌 = 90 (tangent perpendicular to diameter)
∠𝑃𝑇𝑌 = 90° − 30°
∠𝑃𝑇𝑌 = 60°

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 8

 EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

1. BD is the diameter of the circle, centre O. C and A are two points on the circle. AB and
DC, when produced, meet at E. Angle AOB = 1100 and angle BDC = 230.

a. Find
i. Angle ADO
ii. Angle BAC
iii. Angle CEB
2. In the diagram below, the points A, B, C and D lie on a circle, centre O. DOB = 1240 and
CDO = 360

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 9

Calculate

i. DCB
ii. DAB
iii. ODB
iv. CBO
3. In the diagram below, the points A, B, C and D lie on a circle, centre O. the tangent to the
circle at C meet s the diameter AD produced, at T. COD = 660.

Calculate

i. DAC
ii. DTC
iii. ADC
iv. ABC
4. A, B and C are points on a circumference of a circle, centre O. AE and CE are tangent to
the circle. ACE = 680 and BCO = 460.

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 10

 a. Calculate
i. AOC
ii. AEC
b. Find the three angles of the triangle ABC and hence state the name given to this
special triangle.
5. The points A, B, C and D lie on a circumference of a circle, centre O. AB = CD. AC and
BD intersect at E. OBC = 200. Calculate

i. BOC
ii. CAB

6. In the diagram, TB is a tangent to the circle, centre O. TO meet the circle at C and A. Dis
another point on a circle. BTC = 220.

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 11

 a. Use the letters in the diagram to name two right angles.
b. Find
i. OAB
ii. ABT
iii. BDC
7. In the diagram below A, B, C and D are points on the circumference of the circle centre
O. DÂ T = 40°, BD̂ C = 30° and AT is a tangent to the circle at A.

Calculate

̂D,
(a) CB
̂ C,
(b) BA
(c) 𝐴𝑂̂𝐵

8. In the diagram below, A, B, C, D and E are points on the circumference of the circle with
centre O. 𝐷𝐸 = 𝐴𝐷, 𝐴𝐶 ̂𝐵 = 20° and 𝐴𝑂̂𝐸 = 80°

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 12

 Find

̂ E,
(a) AD
̂ E,
(b) DA
(c) 𝐵𝐴̂𝐷

9. In a diagram below, O is the centre of the circle. A, B, C and D are points on the
circumference. AD produced meets the line from C at E such that CD = DE and angle
AOC = 120°.

Calculate angle

(a) ADC,
(b) 𝐴𝐵𝐶,
(c) 𝐷𝐸𝐶

10. The diagram below shows a circle with a tangent RWS. The points V, W, X and Y are on
the circle such that 𝑋𝑌̂𝑊 = 44°, 𝑉𝑊
̂ 𝑌 and 𝑆𝑊 ̂ 𝑉 = 39°

Calculate

(a) RŴ X,
̂W,
(b) XV
(c) 𝑌𝑋̂𝑊

11. In the diagram below, A, B, C, D, E and F are points on the circumference of the circle.
𝐹𝐵̂ 𝐷 = 70° and 𝐴𝐸̂ 𝐹 = 20°

(a) Explain why AD is a diameter

(b) Find
(i) 𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐹
(ii) 𝐷𝐸̂ 𝐹

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 13

 12. In the diagram below, points A, B, C and D are points on a circle. BD is a diameter of the
circle.
𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐵 = 42°, 𝐶𝐴̂𝐷 = 33° and the lines AC and BD intersect X.

Find

(a) 𝐵𝐵̂𝐷
(b) 𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐷
(c) 𝐴𝑋̂𝐵

13. In diagram below, PR is a diameter of a circle with centre O. Q and S are points on the
circumference. The tangent to the circle at the point P, meets QS produced at T. 𝑃𝑄̂ 𝑆 =
26° and 𝑄𝑃̂ 𝑆 = 42°.

Calculate

(a) 𝑃𝑅̂ 𝑆
(b) 𝑃𝑅̂ 𝑄
(c) 𝑃𝑇̂𝑄

14. In the diagram below A, B, C and D lie on the circumference of the circle, centre O.

Given that 𝐵𝐴̂𝐷 = 470 and 𝐷𝐵̂𝐶 = 280 . Calculate

a. 𝐵𝑂̂𝐷
b. 𝑂𝐵̂𝐷
c. 𝐵𝐷̂𝐶

15. In the diagram below, P, Q, R, S and T lie on a circle and 𝑇𝑄 = 𝑇𝑅. PR and TS are
parallel. Angle 𝑇𝑄𝑅 = 700 and angle 𝑇𝑅𝑃 = 200

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 14

 Find
(a) Angle RTQ
(b) Angle RST
(c) Angle TRS

QUESTIONS SOLUTION

1. a(i) ̂ 𝑂 = 1 (1800 − 700 )

A𝐷 2

1
= (1100 )
2

= 550

(ii) 𝐵𝐴̂𝐶 = 𝐵𝐴̂𝐶 = 230 (Angles in the same segment)

(iii) 𝐶𝐸̂ 𝐵

𝐴𝐵̂ 𝑂 = 350

DBC = 1800 − (900 + 230 )

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 15

 = 670

𝐸𝐵𝐶 = 1800 – (670 + 350 )

= 780

∴ 𝐶𝐸̂ 𝐵 = 1800 − (900 + 780 )

= 120

2. (i) 1
𝐷𝐶̂ 𝐵 = × 1240
2

𝐷𝐶̂ 𝐵 = 620

(ii) 1
𝐷𝐴̂𝐵 = (3600 − 1240 )
2

1
𝐷𝐴̂𝐵 = 2 × 2360

𝐷𝐴̂𝐵 = 1180

(iii) ̂ 𝐵 = 1 (3600 − 1240 )

𝑂𝐷 2

̂ 𝐵 = 1 (560 )
𝑂𝐷 2

̂ 𝐵 = 280
𝑂𝐷

(iv) 𝐶𝐵̂ 𝑂 = 360 − (360 + 620 + 2360 )

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 16

 𝐶𝐵̂ 𝑂 = 260

3. (i) 1
𝐷𝐴̂𝐶 = (1800 − 1140 )
2

𝐷𝐴̂𝐶 = 330

(ii) 𝐷𝑇̂𝐶 = [1800 − (1800 − 570 ) + 330 ]

𝐷𝑇̂𝐶 = 240

(iii) 1
ADC = 2 (1800 − 660 )

𝐴𝐷𝐶 = 570

(iv) 1
ADC = 2 (1800 − 660 )

𝐴𝐷𝐶 = 1230

4. a(i) 𝐴𝑂𝐶 = 1800 − (2 × 220 )

𝐴𝑂𝐶 = 1800 − 440

𝐴𝑂𝐶 = 1360

(ii) 𝐴𝐸̂ 𝐶 = 1800 − (2 × 680 )

𝐴𝐸̂ 𝐶 = 1800 − 1360

𝐴𝐸̂ 𝐶 = 440

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 17

 b 1
𝐴𝐵̂ 𝐶 = × 1360
2

𝐴𝐵̂ 𝐶 = 680

𝐵𝐶̂ 𝐴 = 220 + 460

𝐵𝐶̂ 𝐴 = 680

𝐶𝐴̂𝐵 = 220 + [3600 − (2240 + 460 + 680 )]

𝐶𝐴̂𝐵 = 220 + 220

𝐶𝐴̂𝐵 = 440

∴ 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆 ∶ 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆

5. (i) 𝑂𝐶 = 𝑂𝐵 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 with centre O

𝐵𝑂̂𝐶 = 1800 − (2 × 200 )

𝐵𝑂̂𝐶 = 1800 − 400

𝐵𝑂̂𝐶 = 1400

(ii) 1
𝐶𝐴̂𝐵 = 𝐵𝑂𝐶
2

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 18

 1
𝐶𝐴̂𝐵 = × 1400
2

𝐶𝐴̂𝐵 = 700

6. a. ∆𝑂𝐵𝑇 is a right- angle and ∆𝐴𝐶𝐵

1
b. (i) 𝑂𝐴̂𝐵 = 2 × 680

𝑂𝐴̂𝐵 = 340

(ii) 𝐴𝐵̂ 𝑇 = 900 + 340

𝐴𝐵̂ 𝑇 = 1240

(iii) 𝐵𝐴̂𝐷 = 340 ( Angles in same segment)

7. (a) Since ∠𝐵𝐶𝐷 = 900 (∠ in the semi − circle)

Then ∠𝐶𝐵𝐷 = 1800 − (300 + 900 )

∠𝐶𝐵𝐷 = 1800 − 1200 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎

∠𝐁𝐀𝐂 = ∠𝐁𝐃𝐂 = 𝟑𝟎𝟎 (∠s in the same segment)

(b)

(c) Since ∠OAT = 900 , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 ∠OAD = 900 − 400 = 500

𝑨𝒍𝒔𝒐 ∠𝐎𝐀𝐃 = ∠𝐀𝐃𝐎 =

𝟓𝟎𝟎 (𝑩𝒂𝒔𝒆 ∠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞)

∴ ∠𝐀𝐎𝐁 = 1800 − 800 = 1000

8. (a) ̂ 𝐸 = 800 ÷ 2 = 400

𝐴𝐷

(∠ at the centre is half the angle at the circumference)

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 19

 (b) ∠DAE = (1800 − 400 ) ÷ 2 = 700

(𝐵𝑠𝑎𝑒 ∠s in a cyclic quadrilateral)

(c) 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 ∠ADB = ACB = 200 , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 ∠EDB = 400 + 200 = 600

So ∠EAB = 1800 − 600 = 1200

(𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 ∠s in a cyclic quadrilateral )

∴ ∠𝐁𝐀𝐃 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟎 − 𝟕𝟎𝟎 = 𝟓𝟎𝟎

9. (a) ̂ 𝐶 = 1200 ÷ 2 = 600

𝐴𝐷

(∠ at the centre is half the angle at the circumference)

(b) ∠ABC = (1800 − 600 ) = 1200

(𝑆𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 ∠s in a cyclic quadrilateral)

(c) ∠CDE = ∠AOC = 1200

(𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒)

∴ ∠ = DEC = (1800 − 1200 ) ÷ 2 = 300

10. (a) ̂ 𝑋 = ∠XYW = 440

𝑅𝑊

(alternate segment and opposite interior angle)

(b) ∠XVW = ∠RWX = 440 (𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑔𝑚𝑒𝑛

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 20

 (C) ∠𝐗𝐖𝐘 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎 − (𝟒𝟒 + 𝟑𝟗 + 𝟓𝟒) = 𝟒𝟑

∠𝐘𝐗𝐖 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎 − (𝟒𝟒 + 𝟒𝟑) = 𝟗𝟑

11. (a) Since ∠𝐴𝐶𝐹 = 20° and ∠𝐹𝐶𝐷 = 70°, this makes angle

𝐴𝐶𝐷 = 90°. Therefore ∠ACD is an angle in the semi-circle if and

only if AD is a diameter.

(b)(i) ∠ACF = ∠AE = 20° (angles in the same segment are equal)

(ii) ∠𝐷𝐸𝐹 = 180° − 70° = 110°

(Opposite ∠s in a cyclic quadrilateral

12. (a) ∠𝐶𝐵𝐷 = 𝐶𝐴𝐷 = 𝟑𝟑° (angles in the same segment are equal)

(b) ∠𝐴𝐶𝐷 = 90° − 42° = 𝟒𝟖°

(c) ∠𝐴𝐷𝑋 = ∠𝐴𝐶𝐵 = 42°

and so ∠𝐴𝑋𝐷 = 180° − 33° + 42° = 105°

∴ ∠𝐴𝑋𝐵 = 180° − ∠𝐴𝑋𝐷° (Angles on the straight line)

= 180° − 105° = 𝟕𝟓°

13. (a) ∠𝑃𝑅𝑆 = ∠𝑃𝑄𝑆 = 26° (∠s in the same segment are equal)

(b) ∠𝑃𝑅𝑄 = 180° − (42° + 90°

= 180° − 132° = 48 °

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 21

 (c) Since TP ⊥ PR, then ∠𝑇𝑃𝑅 = 90°

So ∠𝑇𝑃𝑄 = 90° + 42° = 132°

∴∠𝑃𝑇𝑄 = 180° − (132° + 26°) = 22°

14. (a) Angle 𝐵𝑂𝐷 = 2 × 470 = 940

(b) Angle 𝑂𝐵𝐷 = (1800 − 940 ) ÷ 2

= 860 ÷ 2
= 𝟒𝟑𝟎

(c) Angle BDC = 1800 − 470 = 1330

= 1800 − (280 + 1330 )

= 190

15. (a) since 𝑇𝑄̂ 𝑅 = 𝑇𝑅̂ 𝑄 = 700

𝑅𝑇̂𝑄 = 1800 − (700 + 700 )

̂ 𝑸 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎
𝑹𝑻

(b) 𝑅𝑆̂𝑇 = 1800 − 700 = 1100

(c) 𝑅𝑇̂𝑆 = 𝑇𝑅̂ 𝑃 = 20 𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒

𝑇𝑅̂ 𝑆 = 1800 − (1100 + 300 ) = 500

PREPARED BY MR AUGUSTUS NJOBVU – ST. MONICA’S SEC SCHOOL – 2022 COPY 22