CIRCLE THEOREMS 2

The alternate segment theorem

x°

x° tangent

The alternate segment theorem states that:

The angle between the tangent and the chord at the point of contact is equal
to the angle in the alternate segment.
The alternate segment theorem

x°

y°

y° x° tangent

Using the alternate segment theorem, we can see that there is another
pair of equivalent angles on the diagram.
Example
1 Shade the matching angles in the alternate segments in each diagram.
a b c

d e f

O O O
Example
2 A, B and C are points on the circumference of a circle. C
The line PQ is a tangent to the circle at A. x°
Find the value of x and the value of y. 57° B

y°
50°
P A Q

Angle ACB = angle BAQ alternate segment theorem

x = 50

x + y + 57 = 180 angles in a triangle add up to 180°

y = 180 − 57 − 50
y = 73
Example
3 A, B, C and D are points on the circumference of a D
circle, centre O. 52°
C
The line XY is a tangent to the circle at A. O
a Find the value of a and the value of b. a°
b°
b Find angle CAY. B

X A Y

a Angle AOC = 2 × angle ADC angle at centre = 2 × angle at circumference

a = 2 × 52
a = 104
Angle ABC + angle ADC = 180° opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral
b + 52 = 180
b = 128
b Angle CAY = angle ADC alternate segment theorem
Angle CAY = 52°
Example
4 Find the value of a, the value of b and the value of c.

a° b°
c°
O

54°
80°

a = 2 × 54 angle at centre = 2 × angle at circumference

a = 108

a + 2b = 180 isosceles triangle

2b = 180 − 108
b = 36

b + c = 80 alternate segment theorem

c = 80 − 36
c = 44