Circle Vocabulary

Circle – set of all

points equidistant
_________
C from a given point
called the _____
center
of the circle.
Symbol: C
CHORD:
A segment
whose
endpoints
are on the
circle
 DIAMETER:
Distance
across the
P circle through
its center
Also known as the
longest chord.
 RADIUS:
Distance
P
from the
center to
point on
circle
 Formula
Radius = ½ diameter
or
Diameter = 2r
D = ?

r = ?

r = ?
D = ?
Use P to determine whether each
statement is true or false.
Q
1. RT is a diameter. False R

2. PS is a radius. True P

3. QT is a chord. True S
T
Secant Line:
intersects the
circle at
exactly TWO
points
Tangent Line:
a LINE that intersects the circle
exactly ONE time

Forms a 90°angle
with one radius

Point of Tangency:
The point where the
tangent intersects
the circle
Name the term that best describes the notation.
 REVIEW
Identify the following parts of the circle.
D
1. DC • chord C

2. AB • radius A B
3. AC • diameter
E
4. line E • tangent
5. DC • secant
Note: The following are possible answers.
radius diameter chord midpoint secant tangent
Central Angles
An angle whose vertex is
at the center of the circle
 Central angle
A

C
B

APB is a Central Angle

 3 Types of Arcs
A
Major Arc Minor Arc
More than 180° Less than 180°
P
ACB AB
To name: C
B To name:
use 3 letters use 2 letters
Semicircle: An Arc that equals 180°

E D

To name:
use 3 letters
P

F
EDF
Identify the parts
 THINGS TO KNOW AND
REMEMBER ALWAYS
A circle has 360 degrees
A semicircle has 180 degrees
Vertical Angles are CONGRUENT
Linear Pairs are SUPPLEMENTARY
 Formula
measure Arc = measure Central Angle
 Measure of Arcs & Angles
In a circle, the measure of the central angle is
always equal to the measure of its intercepted arc.

x=n
m ∠ ABC = m AC n°
C
• If ∠ ABC is 80°, what A
is the measure of arc x°
AC?
B°
m AC = 80°
 Measure of Arcs & Angles
EXAMPLE: In the diagram below, if the m ∠ xyz is 68°, find
the measure of a.) minor arc and b.) major arc.
SOLUTION:
a. measure of minor arc
m ∠xyz = m xz (since ∠xyz is a central angle)

m xz = 68°
x
b. measure of major arc
major arc = 360° – m xz (minor arc)
68°
=360° – 68°
y
68°
m xz (major arc) = 292°

292° z
Find the measures.
EB is a diameter. A

m AB = 96° E

m ACB= 264° Q 96

m AE = 84° B
C
 Arc Addition Postulate
A

C
B

m ABC = m AB + m BC
 Tell me the measure of the following arcs.
AC is a diameter.

D A
140
m DAB =240 R
40
100
80
m BCA = 260 C

B
Congruent Arcs have the same measure and
MUST come from the same circle or of
congruent circles.

C
B

D
45
45
A 110

Arc length is proportional to “r”

 Textbook
p. 396 #11
p. 404 #11 – 16, 25 – 30, 38