Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Section 8.1 – Properties of Tangents to a Circle
A tangent is a line that touches a circle at exactly one point.
The point of tangency is the point where the tangent touches the circle.
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Tangent – Radius Property
“A tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius at the point of tangency.”
Example:
Point O is the center of the circle and AB is tangent to the circle.
In ∆OAB, < AOB = 55°. Determine the measure of < OBA.
Recall,
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Example:
Find the missing angle, x, in each diagram.
a) b)
Example:
Find the missing angles, x and y, in the diagram. B is the center of the circle.
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Using the Pythagorean Theorem in a Circle
Example:
For each circle, find the length of the radius, r.
a)
b)
Example:
An airplane is cruising at an altitude of 9000m. A cross section of the earth is a
circle with a radius approximately 6400km. A passenger wonders how far she is
from a point H on the horizon she sees outside the window. Calculate the distance
to the nearest kilometer.
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Section 8.2 – Properties of Chords in a Circle
A chord is a line segment that joins two points on a circle.
The diameter of a circle is a chord that passes through the
center of the circle. It is the largest possible chord that can
be drawn.
Perpendicular to Chord Property
“In any circle with center O, and chord AB, then:
• If OC bisects AB, then OC is perpendicular to AB
• If OC is perpendicular to AB, then OC bisects AB, and AC = CB
• The perpendicular bisector of AB goes through the center O.”
Example:
O is the center of the circle. Find the length of chord AB.
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Example:
The diameter of a circle is 18cm. A chord JK is 5cm from the center. Find the
length of the chord.
Example:
A chord MN is 24cm. The radius of a circle is 20cm. Determine the length of x in
the diagram below.
Example:
Determine angles x, y and z. Note:
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Example:
Find the missing angles in each circle.
a) b)
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Section 8.3 – Properties of Angles in a Circle
An arc is a section of the circumference of a circle.
There can be a major arc or a minor arc.
A central angle is the angle formed by joining the endpoints of an arc to the
center of the circle.
< ACB is a central angle and it is subtended by the minor arc AB.
An inscribed angle is the angle formed by joining the endpoints of an arc to any
point on the circumference of a circle.
< MLN is an inscribed angle and it is subtended by the minor arc MN.
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Central Angle and Inscribed Angle Property
“The measure of a central angle is twice the measure of an inscribed angle
subtended by the same arc.”
Example:
Determine the value of x in each circle.
a) b)
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Inscribed Angles Property
“Inscribed angles subtended by the same arc are equal.”
Example:
Determine the missing angles x and y in each circle.
a)
b)
c)
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Angles in a Semicircle Property
“Inscribed angles subtended by a semicircle (half the circle or the diameter) are
right angles.”
Example:
Determine the missing angles x and y in each circle.
a)
b)
Grade 9 Mathematics Unit 8: Circle Geometry
Example:
Given < B = (6x − 14)° and < C = (4x + 2)°.
a) Determine the value of x.
b) What is the measure of < ABE?