Lesson 2.1 ­ Circles Basics.

notebook September 23, 2014

Unit 2: Circles

Concept 1: Circles Basics

Vocabulary
Circle - the set (group) of all points that are the same distance (radius) from a
specific point (center).

Radius - a segment in a circle that has one endpoint ON the circle and the other
endpoint is the CENTER of the circle.

W
Lesson 2.1 ­ Circles Basics.notebook September 23, 2014

Vocabulary (Lines/Segments associated with circles)

Tangent - a line, segment, or ray that
intersects a circle at EXACTLY ONE POINT.
B
Secant - a line, segment, or ray that
C
intersects a circle at TWO POINTS.
D
Chord - a segments whose endpoints are on a A
circle. (Part of a secant line)
F E
Diameter - a special chord that passes
through the center of a circle. (Two opposite
radii)

Theorem
-If a line is tangent to a circle, then the line is perpendicular to the radius at the
point of tangency.
Lesson 2.1 ­ Circles Basics.notebook September 23, 2014

Vocabulary
Arc - a portion of the curve of a circle.

Semi-Circle - an arc that measures 180o, or

half of a circle. Semi-circles are formed by
diameters.

Minor Arc - an arc that is smaller than a semi-

circle. ( Greater than 0o, less than 180o)

Major Arc - an arc that is larger than a semi-

circle. ( Greater than 180o, less than 360o)

Naming an Arc

C
Q
B

A
Lesson 2.1 ­ Circles Basics.notebook September 23, 2014

Example
1) Name the arc formed by MBN.
M
2) Name the major arc in the circle.

B
L
N

Try the following questions and submit your answers on-line using
You Try the link in the description section of this video!

1) AB is what kind of line? B

2) BC is what kind of segment?

3) AD is what kind of line? A

C
4) Name the arc formed by ABC.
D