Circle Theorem Proofs

 Semi-Circle
 Centre
 Cyclic Quadrilateral
 Same Segment
 Alternate Segment
 Tangents
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Angle in a Semi-Circle

Angle in a semi-circle
is 90°
PROOF: HOME
- First, draw a radius

=> 2 Isosceles Triangles

- Label an angle

x°
= (180 – x)/2
= 90 - ½x
= 180 – x

= (180 - (180 – x))/2

= 90° = ½x
=> Angle in a semi-circle is 90°
(or simply apply ‘angle at centre’) Q.E.D
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Angle at the centre

x°
Angle at the centre is
double the angle at the
circumference
2x°
PROOF: HOME
- First, draw a radius
=> 2 Isosceles Triangles

= (180 – x)/2

y° x° = (180 – y)/2

= 180 – ½x – ½y

= 360 – y - x

=> Angle at the centre double angle at the

circumference Q.E.D
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Opposite Angles in a Cyclic

Quadrilateral

Opposite angles in a
2y
cyclic quadrilateral add
2x up to 180°

y
PROOF: HOME

x First, draw in radii

apply ‘angle at centre’

2y
2x 2x + 2y = 360º

y
2(x + y) = 360º
x + y = 180º

=> Opposite Angles in a Cyclic Quadrilateral

add up to 180°
Q.E.D
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Angles in Same Segment

Angles created by
triangles are equal if
they are in the same
segment
PROOF: HOME

- First, draw in radii

PROOF: HOME

- First, draw in radii

x apply ‘angle at centre’

2x
PROOF: HOME

- First, draw in radii

y
x apply ‘angle at centre’

=> 2x = 2y
2y x=y

=> Angles in same segment are equal

Q.E.D
 HOME

Alternate Segment Theorem

Angle between a tangent and

a chord is equal to the angle
Chor

at the circumference in the

rd

alternate segment
d

o
Ch

Tangent
PROOF: HOME
Start with two of the
circle theorems

Angle in a semi Angle between a

circle is 90° tangent and the radius
is always 90°
and now combine them
PROOF: HOME

Label an angle For cases when chord

isn’t a diameter?

90-x

Simply apply ‘same segment’ theorem

=> Angles in alternate segments are equal
Q.E.D
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Lengths of Tangents
A

Tangents to a circle
which meet at a point
are equal in length
B (AC = CB)
PROOF: - Connect meeting point to centre HOME

- Draw radii in
apply ‘angle between tangent and radius’
A
x 2 - r2

r C
x

O
x 2 - r2
r

B => Tangents equal in length

Q.E.D
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Perpendicular Tangents

The angle between a

tangent and a radius is
90 degrees
O