Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Circle Wiki
Circle Wiki
Circle Wiki
positive number. A circle with is a degenerate case. This article is about circles
in Euclidean geometry, and, in particular, the Euclidean plane, except where otherwise
noted.
Specifically, a circle is a simple closed curve that divides the plane into two regions: an
interior and an exterior. In everyday use, the term "circle" may be used interchangeably
to refer to either the boundary of the figure, or to the whole figure including its interior; in
strict technical usage, the circle is only the boundary and the whole figure is called
a disc.
A circle may also be defined as a special kind of ellipse in which the two foci are
coincident, the eccentricity is 0, and the semi-major and semi-minor axes are equal; or
the two-dimensional shape enclosing the most area per unit perimeter squared,
using calculus of variations.
Contents
1Euclid's definition
2Topological definition
3Terminology
4History
5Analytic results
o 5.1Circumference
o 5.2Area enclosed
o 5.3Equations
o 5.4Tangent lines
6Properties
o 6.1Chord
o 6.2Tangent
o 6.3Theorems
o 6.4Inscribed angles
o 6.5Sagitta
7Compass and straightedge constructions
o 7.1Construction with given diameter
o 7.2Construction through three noncollinear points
8Circle of Apollonius
o 8.1Cross-ratios
o 8.2Generalised circles
9Inscription in or circumscription about other figures
10Limiting case of other figures
11In other p-norms
12Locus of constant sum
13Squaring the circle
14Significance in art and symbolism
15See also
o 15.1Specially named circles
16References
17Further reading
18External links
Euclid's definition
A circle is a plane figure bounded by one curved line, and such that all straight lines
drawn from a certain point within it to the bounding line, are equal. The bounding line is
called its circumference and the point, its centre.
— Euclid, Elements, Book I[1]: 4
Topological definition
In the field of topology, a circle is not limited to the geometric concept, but to all of
its homeomorphisms. Two topological circles are equivalent if one can be transformed
into the other via a deformation of R3 upon itself (known as an ambient isotopy).[2]
Terminology
Annulus: a ring-shaped object, the region bounded by
two concentric circles.
Arc: any connected part of a circle. Specifying two end
points of an arc and a center allows for two arcs that
together make up a full circle.
Centre: the point equidistant from all points on the circle.
Chord: a line segment whose endpoints lie on the circle,
thus dividing a circle into two segments.
Circumference: the length of one circuit along the circle, or
the distance around the circle.
Diameter: a line segment whose endpoints lie on the circle
and that passes through the centre; or the length of such a
line segment. This is the largest distance between any two
points on the circle. It is a special case of a chord, namely
the longest chord for a given circle, and its length is twice
the length of a radius.
Disc: the region of the plane bounded by a circle.
Lens: the region common to (the intersection of) two
overlapping discs.
Passant: a coplanar straight line that has no point in
common with the circle.
Radius: a line segment joining the centre of a circle with
any single point on the circle itself; or the length of such a
segment, which is half (the length of) a diameter.
Sector: a region bounded by two radii of equal length with a
common center and either of the two possible arcs,
determined by this center and the endpoints of the radii.
Segment: a region bounded by a chord and one of the arcs
connecting the chord's endpoints. The length of the chord
imposes a lower boundary on the diameter of possible
arcs. Sometimes the term segment is used only for regions
not containing the center of the circle to which their arc
belongs to.
Secant: an extended chord, a coplanar straight line,
intersecting a circle in two points.
Semicircle: one of the two possible arcs determined by the
endpoints of a diameter, taking its midpoint as center. In
non-technical common usage it may mean the interior of
the two dimensional region bounded by a diameter and one
of its arcs, that is technically called a half-disc. A half-disc
is a special case of a segment, namely the largest one.
Tangent: a coplanar straight line that has one single point
in common with a circle ("touches the circle at this point").
All of the specified regions may be considered as open, that is, not containing their
boundaries, or as closed, including their respective boundaries.
Chord, secant, tangent, radius, and
Arc, sector, and segment
diameter
History
The compass in this 13th-century manuscript is a symbol of God's act of Creation. Notice also the circular
shape of the halo.
Circles in an old Arabic astronomical drawing.
The circle has been known since before the beginning of recorded history. Natural
circles would have been observed, such as the Moon, Sun, and a short plant stalk
blowing in the wind on sand, which forms a circle shape in the sand. The circle is the
basis for the wheel, which, with related inventions such as gears, makes much of
modern machinery possible. In mathematics, the study of the circle has helped inspire
the development of geometry, astronomy and calculus.
Early science, particularly geometry and astrology and astronomy, was connected to the
divine for most medieval scholars, and many believed that there was something
intrinsically "divine" or "perfect" that could be found in circles.[4][5]
Some highlights in the history of the circle are:
Analytic results
Circumference
Main article: Circumference
The ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter is π (pi),
an irrational constant approximately equal to 3.141592654. Thus the circumference C is
related to the radius r and diameter d by:
Area enclosed
Equation of a circle
In an x–y Cartesian coordinate system, the circle
with centre coordinates (a, b) and radius r is the set
of all points (x, y) such that
Parametric form
The equation can be written in parametric
form using the trigonometric functions sine
and cosine as
Homogeneous form
In homogeneous
coordinates, each conic
section with the equation
of a circle has the form
where a is the
radius of the circle,
are the
polar coordinates of
a generic point on
the circle, and
are the
polar coordinates of
the centre of the
circle (i.e., r0 is the
distance from the
origin to the centre
of the circle,
and φ is the
anticlockwise angle
from the
positive x axis to
the line connecting
the origin to the
centre of the circle).
For a circle centred
on the origin,
i.e. r0 = 0, this
reduces to
simply r = a.
When r0 = a, or
when the origin lies
on the circle, the
equation becomes
In the general
case, the
equation can be
solved for r,
giving
Note that
without the
± sign, the
equation
would in
some cases
describe
only half a
circle.
Complex
plane
In
the complex
plane, a
circle with a
centre
at c and
radius r has
the equation
In
paramet
ric form,
this can
be
written
as
The
slight
ly
gene
ralise
d
equa
tion
f
o
r
r
e
al
p
,
q
a
n
d
c
o
m
pl
e
x
g
is
s
o
m
e
ti
m
e
s
c
al
le
d
a
g
e
n
e
r
al
is
e
d
ci
r
cl
e
.
T
hi
s
b
e
c
o
m
e
s
t
h
e
a
b
o
v
e
e
q
u
a
ti
o
n
f
o
r
a
ci
r
cl
e
w
it
h
,
si
n
c
e
.
N
o
t
al
l
g
e
n
e
r
al
is
e
d
ci
r
cl
e
s
a
r
e
a
ct
u
al
ly
ci
r
cl
e
s:
a
g
e
n
e
r
al
is
e
d
ci
r
cl
e
is
ei
t
h
e
r
a
(t
r
u
e
)
ci
r
cl
e
o
r
a
li
n
e
.
T
a
n
g
e
n
t
li
n
e
s
M
ai
n
a
rt
ic
le
:
T
a
n
g
e
n
t
li
n
e
s
t
o
ci
r
cl
e
s
T
h
e
t
a
n
g
e
n
t
li
n
e
t
h
r
o
u
g
h
a
p
oi
n
t
P
o
n
t
h
e
ci
r
cl
e
is
p
e
r
p
e
n
di
c
ul
a
r
t
o
t
h
e
di
a
m
e
t
e
r
p
a
s
si
n
g
t
h
r
o
u
g
h
P
.
If
P
=
(
x1
,
y1
)
a
n
d
t
h
e
ci
r
cl
e
h
a
s
c
e
n
tr
e
(
a
,
b
)
a
n
d
r
a
di
u
s
r,
t
h
e
n
t
h
e
t
a
n
g
e
n
t
li
n
e
is
p
e
r
p
e
n
di
c
ul
a
r
t
o
t
h
e
li
n
e
fr
o
m
(
a
,
b
)
t
o
(
x1
,
y1
),
s
o
it
h
a
s
t
h
e
f
o
r
m
(
x1
−
a
)
x
+
(
y1
–
b
)
y
=
c.
E
v
al
u
a
ti
n
g
a
t
(
x1
,
y1
)
d
e
t
e
r
m
in
e
s
t
h
e
v
al
u
e
o
f
c,
a
n
d
t
h
e
r
e
s
ul
t
is
t
h
a
t
t
h
e
e
q
u
a
ti
o
n
o
f
t
h
e
t
a
n
g
e
n
t
is
or
If y1 ≠
b,
then
the
slope
of
this
line is
This can
also be
found
using im
plicit
differenti
ation.
When
the
centre of
the circle
is at the
origin,
then the
equation
of the
tangent
line
becomes
Propertie
The circle
the shape
with the
largest are
for a given
length of
perimeter
(see Isope
metric
inequality).
The circle
a highly
symmetric
shape: eve
line throug
the centre
forms a lin
of reflectio
symmetry,
and it
has rotatio
l
symmetry
ound the
centre for
every angl
Its symmet
group is
the orthogo
al
group O(2,
. The group
of rotations
alone is
the circle
group T.
All circles
are similar
o A circle
circumfere
and radius
are propor
o The area e
ed and the
square of i
radius are
proportiona
o The consta
proportiona
are
2π and π re
ively.
The circle
that is
centred at
the origin
with radius
is called
the unit
circle.
o Thought of
a great circ
the unit sp
it becomes
the Rieman
circle.
Through an
three point
not all on t
same line,
there lies a
unique circ
In Cartesia
coordinate
it is possib
to give
explicit
formulae fo
the
coordinate
of the cent
of the circle
and the
radius in
terms of th
coordinate
of the three
given point
See circum
rcle.
Chord
Chords are
equidistant
from the
centre of a
circle if and
only if they
are equal i
length.
The perpen
cular
bisector of
chord pass
through the
centre of a
circle;
equivalent
statements
stemming
from the
uniquenes
of the
perpendicu
r bisector
are:
o A perpend
line from th
centre of a
bisects the
chord.
o The line
segment th
the centre
bisecting a
is perpend
to the chor
If a central
angle and
an inscribe
angle of a
circle are
subtended
by the sam
chord and
the same
side of the
chord, then
the central
angle is
twice the
inscribed
angle.
If two angle
are inscrib
on the sam
chord and
the same
side of the
chord, then
they are
equal.
If two angle
are inscrib
on the sam
chord and
opposite
sides of the
chord, then
they
are supple
entary.
o For a cyclic
quadrilater
the exterio
angle is eq
the interior
opposite a
An inscribe
angle
subtended
by a
diameter is
right angle
(see Thale
theorem).
The diame
is the longe
chord of th
circle.
o Among all
circles with
chord AB i
common, t
circle with
minimal ra
the one wit
diameter A
If
the interse
on of any t
chords divi
s one chor
into
lengths a a
d b and
divides the
other chord
into
lengths c a
d,
then ab = c
If the
intersection
of any two
perpendicu
r chords
divides one
chord into
lengths a a
d b and
divides the
other chord
into
lengths c a
d,
then a2 + b
c2 + d2 equ
the square
the diamet
[9]
The sum o
the square
lengths of
any two
chords
intersecting
at right
angles at a
given point
the same a
that of any
other two
perpendicu
r chords
intersecting
at the sam
point and i
given by 8r
4p2,
where r is
the circle
radius,
and p is th
distance
from the
centre poin
to the poin
of
intersection
[10]
The distan
from a poin
on the circ
to a given
chord time
the diamet
of the circle
equals the
product of
the distanc
from the
point to the
ends of the
chord.[11]: p.71
Tangent
A line draw
perpendicu
r to a radiu
through the
end point o
the radius
lying on the
circle is a
tangent to
the circle.
A line draw
perpendicu
r to a tange
through the
point of
contact wit
a circle
passes
through the
centre of th
circle.
Two
tangents c
always be
drawn to a
circle from
any point
outside the
circle, and
these
tangents a
equal in
length.
If a tangen
at A and a
tangent
at B interse
at the
exterior
point P, the
denoting th
centre as O
the angles
∠BOA and
∠BPA are
supplemen
ry.
If AD is
tangent to
the circle
at A and
if AQ is a
chord of th
circle,
then ∠DAQ
1/2arc(AQ).
Theorems
Secant–secant th
See also: Pow
of a point
The chord
theorem
states that
two
chords, CD
nd EB,
intersect
at A,
then AC ×
D = AB × A
If two
secants, A
and AD, al
cut the circ
at B and C
spectively,
then AC ×
D = AB × A
(corollary o
the chord
theorem).
A tangent
can be
considered
limiting cas
of a secan
whose end
are
coincident.
a tangent
from an
external
point A me
s the circle
at F and a
secant from
the externa
point A me
s the circle
at C and D
spectively,
then AF2 =
C × AD (ta
ent–secan
theorem).
The angle
between a
chord and
the tangen
at one of it
endpoints
equal to on
half the
angle
subtended
the centre
the circle, o
the opposi
side of the
chord
(tangent
chord angl
If the angle
subtended
by the cho
at the cent
is 90°,
then ℓ = r √
where ℓ is
the length
the chord,
and r is the
radius of th
circle.
If two
secants ar
inscribed in
the circle a
shown at
right, then
the
measurem
t of
angle A is
equal to on
half the
difference
the
measurem
ts of the
enclosed
arcs (
an
).
That is,
,
where O is
the centre
the circle
(secant–
secant
theorem).
Inscribed
angles
See
also: Inscribed
angle theorem
Inscribed-angle th
An inscribed
angle (exampl
are the blue a
green angles i
the figure) is
exactly half th
corresponding
entral
angle (red).
Hence, all
inscribed angl
that subtend th
same arc (pink
are equal.
Angles inscrib
on the arc
(brown) are
supplementary
In particular,
every inscribe
angle that
subtends a
diameter is
a right
angle (since th
central angle i
180°).
Sagitta
The sagitta is the
segment.
The sagitta (a
o known as
the versine) is
line segment
drawn
perpendicular
a chord,
between the
midpoint of tha
chord and the
arc of the circl
Given the
length y of a
chord and the
length x of the
sagitta, the
Pythagorean
theorem can b
used to
calculate the
radius of the
unique circle
that will fit
around the two
lines:
Another proof
this result, wh
relies only on
chord properti
given above, i
follows. Given
chord of
length y and w
sagitta of leng
since the sagi
intersects the
midpoint of the
chord, we kno
it is a part of a
diameter of th
circle. Since th
diameter is tw
the radius, the
"missing" part
diameter is (2r
in length. Usin
fact that one p
one chord time
other part is e
to the same pr
taken along a
intersecting th
chord, we find
(2r − x)x = (y /
Solving for r, w
find the requir
result.
Compass
straighted
construct
s
There are
many compas
and-straighted
constructions
ng in circles.
The simplest a
most basic is t
construction g
the centre of t
circle and a po
the circle. Plac
fixed leg of
the compass o
centre point, th
movable leg o
point on the ci
and rotate the
compass.
Constructio
with given
diameter
Construct
the midpoi
f the diame
Construct t
circle with
centre M p
g through o
the endpoi
the diamet
will also pa
through the
other endp
Construct a circle
points A, B and C
the perpendicular
(red) of the sides
triangle (blue). On
the three bisector
needed to find the
Constructio
through thr
noncollinea
points
Name the
points P, Q
R,
Construct
the perpen
r bisector o
segment P
Construct
the perpen
r bisector o
segment P
Label the p
of intersec
these two
perpendicu
bisectors M
(They mee
because th
points are
not collinea
Construct t
circle with
centre M p
g through o
the
points P, Q
(it will also
through the
other two
points).
Circle of
Apolloniu
See also: Circ
Apollonius
Apollonius' definit
circle: d1/d2 consta
Apollonius of
Perga showed
a circle may a
defined as the
of points in a p
having a
constant ratio
than 1) of dista
to two fixed
foci, A and B.[1
he set of point
where the dist
are equal is th
perpendicular
bisector of
segment AB, a
line.) That circ
sometimes sa
be drawn abou
points.
The proof is in
parts. First, on
must prove tha
given two
foci A and B a
ratio of distanc
any
point P satisfy
the ratio of
distances mus
on a particular
circle. Let C b
another point,
satisfying the
and lying on
segment AB. B
the angle bise
theorem the lin
segment PC w
bisect the inte
angle APB, sin
the segments
similar:
Analogously, a
segment PD th
some
point D on AB
bisects the
corresponding
angle BPQ wh
on AP extende
the interior an
angles sum to
degrees, the
angle CPD is
90 degrees; th
right angle. Th
points P such
angle CPD is
angle forms a
which CD is a
Second, see[14
proof that eve
on the indicate
satisfies the g
Cross-ratio
A closely relat
property of cir
involves the g
of the cross-ra
points in the c
plane. If A, B,
and C are as a
then the circle
Apollonius for
three points is
collection of
points P for wh
absolute value
cross-ratio is e
one:
Stated anothe
point on the ci
Apollonius if a
cross-ratio [A,
on the unit circ
complex plane
Generalise
See also: Gen
circle
If C is the mid
segment AB, t
collection of
points P satisf
Apollonius con
is not a circle,
Thus, if A, B, a
distinct points
then the locus
points P satisf
equation is ca
"generalised c
either be a tru
In this sense a
generalised ci
radius.
Inscriptio
circumscr
about oth
In every triang
circle, called th
be inscribed s
tangent to eac
sides of the tri
About every tr
circle, called th
can be circum
it goes through
triangle's three
A tangential p
a tangential qu
any convex po
which a circle
inscribed that
each side of th
[17]
Every regula
every triangle
polygon.
A cyclic polygo
polygon about
can be circum
through each
studied examp
quadrilateral. E
polygon and e
cyclic polygon
is both cyclic a
called a bicen
A hypocycloid
inscribed in a
tracing a fixed
smaller circle
and tangent to
Limiting c
other figu
The circle can
a limiting case
various other f
A Cartesia
points such
sum of the
any of its p
points (foc
An ellipse
which the w
equal. A ci
with an ecc
meaning th
coincide w
the centre
circle is als
special cas
oval in whi
weights is
A superelli
equation o
fo
and n. A su
has b = a.
special cas
supercircle
A Cassini o
points such
of the dista
its points to
is a consta
fixed points
circle resul
A curve of
a figure wh
defined as
perpendicu
between tw
parallel line
intersecting
a single po
regardless
of those tw
The circle
example o
figure.
In other p
Illustrations of uni
also superellipse)
(every vector from
circle has a length
calculated with len
corresponding p).
Defining a circ
points with a f
from a point, d
can be consid
under differen
distance. In p-
is determined
In Euclidean g
giving the fam
In taxicab geo
circles are squ
at a 45° angle
While each sid
using
where r is the
in taxicab geo
circle's circum
value of a geo
is 4 in
formula for the
geometry is
coordinates an
in polar coordi
A circle of rad
the von Neum
center.
A circle of rad
distance (L∞ m
square with si
coordinate axe
distance can b
rotation and sc
distance. How
between L1 an
generalize to h
Locus of c
Consider a fin
the plane. The
the sum of the
the given poin
whose center
given points.[18
powers of dist
points
polygon
points such th
power of dista
vertices of a g
circumradius
circle, if
whose center
In the case of
of the constan
fourth powers
square, the loc
sums of the se
For the regula
the eighth pow
added and so
Squaring
Main article: S
Squaring the c
by ancient geo
square with th
by using only
with compass
In 1882, the ta
impossible, as
the Lindemann
proves that pi
rather than an
that is, it is no
any polynomia
Despite the im
to be of intere
Significan
symbolism
See also: Mag
From the time
civilisations –
ancient Egypti
and along the
Western civilis
Rome during c
has been used
art to convey t
express certai
in worldview (b
impact on artis
emphasised th
demonstrate t
others focused
concept of cos
doctrines, the
infinite and cy
religious tradit
bodies and div
many sacred a
unity, infinity, w
divinity, balanc
among others
conveyed in c
use of symbol
halo, the vesic
(fish, eye, aure
ouroboros, the
mandalas, ros
See also
Reference
1. ^ OL 722728
2. ^ Gamelin, Th
Mineola, N.Y:
3. ^ krikos Arch
Henry George
Lexicon, on P
4. ^ Arthur Koes
Changing Vis
5. ^ Proclus, Th
Successor, on
at the Wayba
Ch. 2, "Of Pla
6. ^ Chronology
22 at the Way
andrews.ac.u
7. ^ Squaring th
the Wayback
Retrieved on
8. ^ Katz, Victor
Introduction (
p. 108, ISBN
9. ^ Posamentie
Geometry, Do
10. ^ College Ma
331, problem
11. ^ Johnson, R
Dover Publ., 2
12. ^ Harkness, J
analytic funct
30. Bibcode:1
S2CID 40304
07.
13. ^ Ogilvy, C. S
1969, 14–17.
14. ^ Altshiller-Co
2007 (orig. 19
15. ^ Incircle – fro
21 at the Way
(2012-04-26).
16. ^ Circumcircl
01-20 at the W
(2012-04-26).
17. ^ Tangential
MathWorld Ar
Machine. Mat
Retrieved on
18. ^ Apostol, To
of squares of
Mathematical
526. doi:10.10
1658.
19. ^ Meskhishvi
Regular Polyg
in Mathematic
355. arXiv:20
ctive 2022-07
20. ^ Abdullahi, Y
East to West"
Louvre Abu D
International P
Incorporated.
Further re
Pedoe, Da
comprehen
Dover. ISB
"Circle" in
Mathemati
External l
Wikimedia Commo
Circles (category)
Wikisource has the
Britannica article "C
"Circle", En
Mathemati
Circle at P
Weisstein,
"Interactive
properties
constructio
"Interactive
Circle". Cli
standard fo
"Munching
Germany
Israel
rol: National
United States
libraries
Latvia
Czech Republic
Categories:
Circles
Elementary
Conic sect
Pi
Navigatio
menu
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create accoun
Log in
Article
Talk
Read
View source
View history
Search
Main page
Contents
Current events
Random articl
About Wikiped
Contact us
Donate
Contribute
Help
Learn to edit
Community po
Recent chang
Upload file
Tools
What links her
Related chang
Special pages
Permanent lin
Page informat
Cite this page
Wikidata item
Print/export
Download as P
Printable vers
In other projects
Wikimedia
Commons
Wikibooks
Wikiquote
Languages
বাংলা
ગુજરાતી
हिन्दी
ಕನ್ನ ಡ
മലയാളം
मराठी
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
اردو
132 more
Edit links
This page was l
edited on 29
September 2022
01:12 (UTC).
Text is availabl
under the Creat
Commons
Attribution-
ShareAlike Lice
3.0; additional t
may apply. By
using this site, y
agree to the Ter
of Use and Priv
Policy. Wikiped
is a registered
trademark of
the Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc
non-profit
organization.