Chapter: Circles
1. Introduction
A circle is the collection of all points in a plane that are at a fixed distance from a fixed point.
2. Basic Terms Related to a Circle
Centre: The fixed point inside the circle.
Radius: The distance from the centre to any point on the circle.
Diameter: A line segment passing through the centre and joining two points on the circle (Diameter = 2
× Radius).
Circumference: The boundary of the circle.
Chord: A line segment joining any two points on the circle.
Arc: A part of the circumference of a circle.
Sector: The region bounded by two radii and the corresponding arc.
Segment: The region between a chord and the corresponding arc.
3. Important Theorems
The perpendicular from the centre of a circle to a chord bisects the chord.
The line joining the centre of a circle to the midpoint of a chord is perpendicular to the chord.
Equal chords of a circle are equidistant from the centre.
Chords equidistant from the centre of a circle are equal in length.
4. Tangent to a Circle
A tangent is a line that touches the circle at exactly one point.
The point at which the tangent touches the circle is called the point of contact.
The tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact.
From an external point, the lengths of tangents drawn to a circle are equal.
5. Summary
Circles are important geometric figures with many practical applications. Understanding their properties and
theorems helps in solving various geometrical problems.