Circle Geometry (Part 1)

3
Exam Paper

Assessment Standard: 12.3.2

Circle Geometry (Part 1)
Accept as axioms all results established in
earlier grades and the fact that a
tangent is perpendicular to the radius drawn
at the point of contact with the circle and
then investigate and prove the theorems of
the geometry of circles.
Over the next few weeks we will lead you
through the Grade 12 theory.
To be successful in the Geometry section
of Paper 3 (which counts 40%) you must be
absolutely familiar with the basics from way
back in Grade 8.
Do you know that:
angles on a straight line add up to 180

Collect your Paper 3 Lessons every week!!

Guys, both NSC and IEB examinations
candidates have the option of writing Paper 3 at the end of
the year! Paper 3 covers additional
mathematics material and is out of 100 marks. Maths
Paper 3 will really set you apart in the job market, and
make studying technical subjects at tertiary level easier.
We have hooked you up with these lessons - written by IEB Maths
Paper 3 examiner, Heather Frankiskos.
The Examination Guidelines for the DOE stipulate that the
proofs of all Grade 11 and the Grade 12 theorems of the
geometry of circles are required for examination purposes.
This bookwork has a suggested maximum mark allocation
of 15 out of 100. The IEB Subject Assessment Guidelines
suggest that no bookwork i.e. NO PROOFS be examined.
We can expect Complete the statement type questions
but no complete proofs. These Geometry modules will not
present proofs.You must get these from your teacher.

a + b = 180
the angles of a triangle add up to 180
b

a + b + c = 180

the exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the interior opposite angles
a

a+b=c


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Circle Geometry (Part 1)

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Exam Paper
When we have parallel lines
a) Alternate Angles are equal
^

d= f ( )

^c= ^e
( )
b) Corresponding Angles are equal
^ ^ F
^c= ^g
( F ); b
= f ( )
^

e
h

d= h
( F ); ^a
= ^e
( )

f
g

c) Cointerior Angles are Supplementary

^

d+ ^e
= 180
^
^c+ f = 180
The Geometry Section of the Paper contains some questions which cover only Grade 11 or only Grade
12 Theory. However, some questions may blend the two. We will revise the Grade 11 theory for you when
we are ready to present examination type questions.

Grade 12 Theory
Before we launch into the theory let us define some terms:
An Axiom: is an accepted body of knowledge or principle for example: The Theorem of Pythagoras
A Theorem: is a statement that can be proved by logical reasoning
An Arc:

is part of the circumference of a circle

A Chord:

is a straight line joining the ends of an arc

A Diameter: is a special chord passing through a circle centre.A diameter cuts the circle into two semi-circles
A Radius:

is the line from the circle centre to any point on the circumference

A Segment: is part of a circle cut off by a chord. Every chord cuts a circle into two segments
A Tangent: is a line that makes contact with the circle at only one point on the circumference

minor segment

minor arc AC

cho

rd A
C

major segment

Diameter

C
Radius
A

major arc AC

Tangent APT

T
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Circle Geometry (Part 1)

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Exam Paper
Theorem 1
1a)

If a line is drawn from the centre of a circle so that it is perpendicular to a chord, it will bisect the
chord

If OM ^ AB then AM = MB (perp. line from centre to chord)

b)

If a line is drawn from the centre of a circle to the midpoint of a chord, it will be perpendicular to
the chord

A
M

M
B

If AM = MB then OM ^ AB (midpoint - chord)

Application
1.

Given BD = 8 and OD = 5 and OC ^ BD

Find OC

OC ^ BD given
\ BC = CD (perp. line from centre to chord)
\ CD = 4
In D OCD
OD2 = OC2 +CD2 (Pythagoras)
25 = OC2 + 16
9 = OC2
3 = OC

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Circle Geometry (Part 1)

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Exam Paper
2.


x

P T 2
V

Given : O is the centre

PT = TV = 6
OT = x
TR = 2

R
a) Write down the length of PO in terms of x
b) Determine the value of x
a) PO = x + 2 (equal radii)
b)

OT ^ PV (midpoint - chord)
\ PO2 = PT2 + OT2 (Pythagorus)
(x + 2)2 = 62 + x2
x2 + 4x + 4 = 36 + x2
4x = 32
x=8

For the next theorem we must clarify some vocabulary:

a) In the picture we say:
^

arc AB subtends AOB

to the centre
^

arc AB subtends ACB

to the circumference

B
C

b) In the picture we say:

^

chord AB subtends AOB

to the centre
^

chord AB subtends ACB

to the circumference
So an arc or a chord can subtend (hang) an angle off of it to
the centre or the circumference

Theorem 2
2. The angle subtended by an arc/ chord at the centre of a circle is twice the size of the angle subtended
by the same arc/ chord at the circumference ( at the centre = 2 at the circumference)
This theorem can present itself in a number of ways.
Look at each of these.
Can you see that each time the same theory is involved?

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Circle Geometry (Part 1)

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Exam Paper

Case 1 (Normal Case)

Angle is subtended above the one at the centre
x

2x

Case 2 (Skew Case)

Angle is subtended off to the right/left of the one at the centre

2x

2x

2x

Right
Left
Turn me upside down!
Case 3 (Diameter Case)
The Angle at the centre is a straight angle (180) so the angle subtended into the semi-circle segment will
always be 90. We use this case so often that we refer to it as in semi-circle.
180

180

Case 4 (Reflex Case)

The major arc subtends the reflex angle at the centre.

2x

2y

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Circle Geometry (Part 1)

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Exam Paper
Application Find x and or y:
Find x:

a)
D
x

(equal radii, Isos D)

(s of D)

( at centre = 2 at circumference)

CBO = 40
BOC
= 100

BDC
= 50

x = 50

40

b)

x = 80

(The angle is subtended skewly to the circumference)

( at centre = 2 at circumference)

40

c)

2x - 30 = 130 ( at centre = 2 at circumference)

260

A
C

2x - 30

(The reflex angle is subtended by major arc AC)

2x = 160
x = 80

D
d)

2x = 90 ( at centre = 2 at circumference)
2x

OR ( in a semi-circle)

180

x = 45

^
e)
O1 = 140

( of Isos D)

x = 70

( at centre = 2 at circumference)

y = 90

( in a semi-circle)

20

y
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