Geometrical Properties of Circles

Symmetry Properties of Circles

(i) Equal chords are equidistant from the centre

A
S
If AB = PQ , O
B P
then OS = OT T
Q

(ii) The perpendicular bisector of a chord passes through the centre

If OA = OB, O
A
AM = MB,
M
then O
M is perpendicular to AB
B

(iii) Tangents from an external point are equal in length

If AP and BP are tangents,

A
then AP = BP

O P
(iv) The line joining an external point to the centre of
the circle bisects the angle between the tangents
B
If AP = BP,

then ∠AOP = ∠BOP

Adapted:
Be Great at Mathematics Secondary 3 & 4
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Reproducible for home/classroom use only.

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Angle Properties of Circles
(i) Angle in a semicircle is a right angle P Q
If AB is the diameter of a circle,
A B
then ∠APB = 90º
∠AQB = 90º

(ii) Angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference (∠ at centre = 2 × ∠ at  ce )
If O is the centre of the circle,
then ∠AOB = 2 × ∠APB
P
P 2θ
θ O
O θ O
2θ 2θ A θ B
A B A
B P

(iii) Angles in the same segment are equal

P Q
If P and Q are points on the same segment,
θ θ
then ∠APB = ∠AQB  (∠s in same segment)

A B

(iv) Angles in opposite segments are supplementary

P
If P, Q, R and S are points on the circumference of a circle,
then ∠PQR + ∠PSR = 180º  (∠s in opp. segments are supp.)
∠QRS + ∠QPS = 180º  (∠s in opp. segments are supp.) Q
S
R

(v) Angle between tangent and radius of a circle is a right angle

A
If O is the centre of a circle and AB is the tangent at point P,
then OP is perpendicular to AB.  (tan ⊥ rad) O P

Adapted:
Be Great at Mathematics Secondary 3 & 4
© Singapore Asia Publishers Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.
Reproducible for home/classroom use only.

STRICTLY NOT FOR SALE.
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PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. In the diagram, O1 and O2 are the centres of the circles. PO2 and QO2 are tangents to the bigger
circle at points P and Q respectively and ∠ATB = 36º.
Find
(a) ∠ASB,
P
(b) ∠PO1Q.
A
O1
S
O2
36º
T
B
Q

2. In the diagram, A, B, C, D and E are the points on the circumference of the circle with
centre O. AE and BD are parallel, ∠EBD = 44º and ∠BDC = 25º.
(a) Find A
(i) ∠BED,
(ii) ∠CAE.
(b) Show that AD is the diameter of the circle. B
44º
O
E
C
25º

Adapted:
Be Great at Mathematics Secondary 3 & 4
© Singapore Asia Publishers Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.
Reproducible for home/classroom use only.

STRICTLY NOT FOR SALE.
Look for other useful resources: www.sapgrp.com
 Look for other useful resources: www.sapgrp.com
STRICTLY NOT FOR SALE.
Reproducible for home/classroom use only.
© Singapore Asia Publishers Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.

Maths Gym Secondary 3/4
Be Great at Mathematics Secondary 3 & 4 and
Adapted:
Solutions:
1. (a) ∠ASB = 180º – 36º (∠s in opp. segments 3. In DACD,
= 144º are supp.) ∠ADC = 90º  (∠ in semicircle)
∠AO2 B = 2(36º) (∠ at centre = 2 ∠s at ce) ∠CAD = 39º (given)
= 72º ∠ACD = 180º – 90º – 39º  (∠ sum of D)
∠PO1Q = 360º – 90º – 90º – 72º = 51º
(tan  rad, ∠ sum of quad.) ∠BCE = ∠ACD – ∠DCE
= 108º = 51º – 28º
= 23º
2. (a) (i) ∠BED = 180º – 44º – 90º
∠BDE = ∠BCE  (∠s in the same segment)
= 46º  (∠ sum of rt. ∠∆)
= 23º
(ii) ∠CAE = 180º – 90º – 25º
∠BDC = ∠ADC – ∠BDE
(∠s in opp. segments are supp.)
= 90º – 23º
= 65º
= 67º
(b) ∠EOD = 2(44º)
= 88º
∠AOE = 180º – 2(44º)  (∠ sum of isos. ∆)
= 92º
∠AOE + ∠EOD = 92º + 88º
= 180º
AD is a diameter as AOD is a straight line and
∠AED = 90º. (shown)
C D
28º
O
F
E
B
39º
A
∠BDC.
3. In the figure, O is the centre of the circle. ABC, AED, BFD and CFE are straight lines. Calculate