RADII

&
CHORDS
Circle – the set of all points in a plane, a
given distance away from a center point.
A circle is named by
its center point. For
A example: Circle A or
A.
Radius (r) Plural: Radii
Radius – the “given distance away from
the center point” of a circle; a segment
that joins the center to a point on the
circle.
Chord – a segment whose endpoints lie on
on the circle.
Example: DC

A B
C

Diameter – a chord that passes through

the center of the circle. Example: AB
A diameter is twice the length of a radius.
 THEOREMS:

1. In a circle, or in congruent circles, two

minor arcs are congruent if and only if their
corresponding chords are congruent.
2. In a circle, if a radius is perpendicular to a
chord, then it bisects the chord and its arc.
3. In a circle, or in congruent circles, two
chords are congruent if and only if they are
equidistant from the center.
Example # 1:

O
● A

H
T
Example # 2:

L T
I
 ANGLES FORMED
BY
SECANTS & TANGENTS
Secant – a line that contains a chord and
a line that intersects circle in two points.

B Example: AB
A

**Note: A chord and a secant can be named

using the same letters. The notation tells you
whether it is a secant or a chord. A secant is
a line; a chord is a segment.**
Secant: AB Chord: AB
 Tangent – a line that intersects a
circle at exactly one point.

Not a
B tangent!

A The point at which the

circle and the tangent
intersect is called the
point of tangency.
Example: AB
Example: A
 5cm Congruent Circles –
circles with
5cm congruent radii.

Concentric
Circles – circles
with the same
center point.
When each vertex of a polygon
is on the circle, the circle is said
to be circumscribed around the
polygon.

This circle is
circumscribed
around the
pentagon
When each side of a polygon is
tangent to a circle, the circle is
said to be inscribed in the
polygon.

This circle is
inscribed
inside of the
pentagon.
Try this! Tell whether the line or segment is best
described as a chord, a secant, a tangent, a
diameter, or a radius.
H
a. AH tangent

b. EI diameter
B E
C F
c. DF chord

I G
d. CE radius

e. secant
A D
Tangents
•Point of tangency – the point at which a
tangent line intersects the circle to which
it is tangent

point of tangency
 Perpendicular Tangent Theorem
If a line is tangent to a circle, then it is perpendicular to the radius
drawn to the point of tangency.

If l is tangent to Q at P, then l  QP.

Perpendicular Tangent Converse
In a plane, if a line is perpendicular to a radius of a circle at its
endpoint on the circle, then the line is tangent to the circle.

If l  QP at P, then l is tangent to Q.
 Theorem 1: If a line is tangent to a
circle, then the line is perpendicular
to the radius drawn to the point of
tangency.

Q is the center of the circle. C is a point of tangency.

Q If AB is tangent to
Circle Q at point C,
then QC  AB.
A C B
Example: Given Circle Q with a radius length of
7. D is a point of tangency. DF = 24, find the
length of QF.
72 + 242 = QF2

Q QF = 25
7 G NOTE: G is
NOT necessarily
D 24 F the midpoint of
QF!!
Extension: Find GF.
QF = 25 QG = 7 GF = 18
Theorem 2: If a line in the plane of
a circle is perpendicular to a radius
at its outer endpoint, then the line
is tangent to the circle.

This is the converse of Theorem 1.

 Tangent Circles – coplanar
circles that are tangent to the
same line at the same point.

Internally Tangent Circles

Externally Tangent Circles
Interior of a circle – consists of
the points that are inside the Exterior of a circle – consists of the
circle points that are outside the circle
Common Tangent – a line that is
tangent to two coplanar circles.

Common Internal Tangent

Intersects
the segment
joining the
centers.
Common External Tangent

Does not intersect the

segment joining the
centers.
Try this! Tell whether the common tangents are
internal or external.

a. b.

common internal tangents common external tangents

 Example #1:
• If a tangent and a secant
intersect at a the point of B
C
tangency, then the measure of
each angle formed is one half
the measure of its intercepted


arc.


1
m1= ½m AB
2
A

m2= ½m BCA
Example #2: Finding Angle and Arc
Measures
m
• Line m is tangent to the
circle. Find the measure
of the red angle or arc. B
1

m1= ½ AB

• Solution:
A

m1= ½ (150°) 150°

m1= 75°
Example #2: Finding Angle and
Arc Measures
S

• Line m is tangent to the m

circle. Find the measure
of the red angle or arc.


• Solution:
130°


P R

m RSP = 2(130°)
m RSP = 260°
Example #2: Finding an Angle Measures
C
• In the diagram below, BC A

is tangent to the circle. (9x + 20)°

Find mCBD
5x° B

Solution:
mCBD = ½ m DAB
 D

5x = ½(9x + 20)
10x = 9x +20
x = 20
mCBD = 5(20°) = 100°
Lines Intersecting Inside or Outside
a Circle
• If two lines intersect a circle, there are
three (3) places where the lines can
intersect.
on the circle
Inside the circle
Outside the circle
Lines Intersecting
• You know how to find angle and arc
measures when lines intersect
ON THE CIRCLE.
• You can use the following theorems to find
the measures when the lines intersect
INSIDE or OUTSIDE the circle.
 Theorem 2
• If two secants intersect
in the interior of a
circle, then
– The measure of an angle 2
formed is ½ the sum of
the measures of the arcs
intercepted by the angle
and its vertical angle
–
m1   x  y
1
2
Theorem 3
B
If a tangent and a secant, A

two tangents or two 1

secants intercept in the

EXTERIOR of a circle,
then the measure of the C

angle formed is one half

the difference of the
measures of the
intercepted arcs.
 
m1 = ½ m( BC - m AC )
 P

Q
R

m2 = ½ m(
 
PQR - mPR )
 X

3
Z

 
Y

m3 = ½ m( XY - mWZ )
Ex. 3: Finding the Measure of an
Angle Formed by Two Chords
P
106°
• Find the value of x S

Q x°

 
174°
• Solution:
x° = ½ (mPS +m RQ Apply Theorem 2
x° = ½ (106° + 174°) Substitute values
x = 140 Simplify
 E

Ex. 4: Using Theorem 3

200°
D
• Find the value of x
F
Solution:

mGHF = ½ m(  
EDG - mGF )
Apply Theorem 3
G
x°

72°
H

72° = ½ (200° - x°) Substitute values.

144 = 200 - x° Multiply each side by 2.
- 56 = -x Subtract 200 from both sides.
56 = x Divide by -1 to eliminate
negatives.
 Ex. 4: Using Theorem 3
M

L 92° x°P
• Find the value of x
N
Solution:

 
mGHF = ½ m( MLN - m MN ) Apply Theorem 3
= ½ (268 - 92) Substitute values.
= ½ (176) Subtract
= 88 Multiply