GCSE Circle Theorems

RECAP: Parts of a Circle

!
? Arc
(Minor)
?
Sector

?
Chord ?
Radius

(Minor)
?
Segment
?
Diameter

?
Tangent
?
Circumference
What are Circle Theorems
Circle Theorems are laws that apply to both angles and lengths when circles are
involved. We’ll deal with them in groups.

#1 Non-Circle Theorems

These are not circle theorems, but are useful in questions involving circle theorems.

?
130

50

Angles in a quadrilateral
The radius is of constant length
add up to 360. Bro Tip: When you have multiple radii, put
a mark on each of them to remind yourself
they’re the same length.
#2 Circle Theorems Involving Right Angles
Bro Tip: Remember the wording in the black boxes, because you’re
often required to justify in words a particular angle in an exam.

!
radiu
s

n gent
ta

“Angle in semicircle is 90.”

“Angle between radius
and tangent is 90”. Note that the hypotenuse of
the triangle MUST be the
diameter.
#3 Circle Theorems Involving Other Angles

!
a
a a

2a

“Angles in same segment are “Angle at centre is twice the

equal.” angle at the circumference.”
#3 Circle Theorems Involving Other Angles

!
x

180-x
x

Opposite angles of cyclic

quadrilateral add up to 180.
#4 Circle Theorems Involving Lengths

There’s
only one
you need to
know...

Lengths of the tangents from a

point to the circle are equal.
Which Circle Theorem?
Identify which circle theorems you could use to solve Angle in semicircle is 90
each question. Reveal
Angle between tangent
and radius is 90

Opposite angles of cyclic

quadrilateral add to 180

Angles in same segment

are equal
O
Angle at centre is twice
?
160 angle at circumference

Lengths of the tangents

100 from a point to the circle
are equal

Two angles in isosceles

triangle the same
Angles of quadrilateral
add to 360
Which Circle Theorem?
Identify which circle theorems you could use to solve Angle in semicircle is 90
each question. Reveal
Angle between tangent
and radius is 90

Opposite angles of cyclic

70 quadrilateral add to 180

Angles in same segment

are equal
70
? Angle at centre is twice
60 angle at circumference

Lengths of the tangents

from a point to the circle
are equal

Two angles in isosceles

triangle the same
Angles of quadrilateral
add to 360
Which Circle Theorem?
Identify which circle theorems you could use to solve Angle in semicircle is 90
each question. Reveal
Angle between tangent
and radius is 90

Opposite angles of cyclic

quadrilateral add to 180

Angles in same segment

are equal
?
115
Angle at centre is twice
angle at circumference

Lengths of the tangents

from a point to the circle
are equal

Two angles in isosceles

triangle the same
Angles of quadrilateral
add to 360
Which Circle Theorem?
Identify which circle theorems you could use to solve Angle in semicircle is 90
each question. Reveal
Angle between tangent
and radius is 90

Opposite angles of cyclic

quadrilateral add to 180

Angles in same segment

are equal
?
70
Angle at centre is twice
angle at circumference

Lengths of the tangents

from a point to the circle
are equal

Two angles in isosceles

triangle the same
Angles of quadrilateral
add to 360
Which Circle Theorem?
Identify which circle theorems you could use to solve Angle in semicircle is 90
each question. Reveal
Angle between tangent
and radius is 90

Opposite angles of cyclic

quadrilateral add to 180

Angles in same segment

?
32
are equal

Angle at centre is twice

angle at circumference

Lengths of the tangents

from a point to the circle
are equal

Two angles in isosceles

triangle the same
Angles of quadrilateral
add to 360
Which Circle Theorem?
Identify which circle theorems you could use to solve Angle in semicircle is 90
each question. Reveal
Angle between tangent
and radius is 90

Opposite angles of cyclic

quadrilateral add to 180
?
31
Angles in same segment
are equal

Angle at centre is twice

angle at circumference

Lengths of the tangents

from a point to the circle
are equal

Two angles in isosceles

triangle the same
Angles of quadrilateral
add to 360
#5 Alternate Segment Theorem
This one is probably the hardest to remember and a particular favourite in the
Intermediate/Senior Maths Challenges.

!
Click to Start
This is called the alternate Bromanimation
segment because it’s the
segment on the other side
of the chord.


...is equal to the angle in the
alternate segment
ch
or
d

tangent


The angle between the

tangent and a chord...
Check Your Understanding

z =?58
Check Your Understanding
Source: IGCSE Jan 2014 (R)

Angle ABC = Angle AOC = Angle CAE =

112 ? 136 ? 68 ?
Give a reason: Give a reason: Give a reason:
Supplementary angles of Angle at centre is double Alternate Segment
?
cyclic quadrilateral add up ?
angle at circumference. Theorem. ?
to 180.
Exercises
Printed collection of past GCSE questions.
Answers to more difficult questions
Source: IGCSE May 2013

?
39

64?

?
77

Determine angle ADB.

Answers to more difficult questions
(Towards the end of your sheet)

?1 ?322
116
?3
42 Angle at centre is twice
angle at circumference

Two angles in isosceles

triangle the same

Alternate Segment
Theorem
APPENDIX: Proofs

?a
90-a
?

?
180-2a ?
90-a
a 2a
?
A C
O
Let angle BAO be a. Triangle ABO is isosceles so ABO = a. Remaining angle in
triangle must be 180-2a. Thus BOC = 2a. Since triangle BOC is isosceles, angle
BOC = OCB = 90 – a. Thus angle ABC = ABO + OBC = a + 90 – a = 90.
APPENDIX: Proofs

!
x b? This combined
angle
= 180 – a – b
?
(angles in a triangle)

a
Adding
opposite
b angles:
a + b + 180
a? – a – b = 180

Opposite angles of cyclic

quadrilateral add up to 180.
APPENDIX: Proofs
C 1: Angle between tangent
and radius is 90, so angle
CAD = 90 - 
?3
B 2: Angle in semicircle is 90.
?4 D
?2 3: Angles in triangle add up
to 180.

4: But any other angle in

the same segment will be
?1
90-
the same.


A
Alternate Segment Theorem