1

Circle theorems
Using the circle theorems accurately simply requires being able to recognize certain shapes within a
circle, and applying the theorems for those corresponding shapes. Aside from the shapes within these
theorems, other shapes that can be included are isosceles triangles with two radii of a circle, and
straight angles.

Theorem 1: The double V theorem. (Unofficial name)

The important features of this theorem are: Two V’s inside a circle with the same endpoints,
with one V having the center of the circle as its center point:

A B
A
B
2θ 2θ θ 2θ
O C
O O
A
B
θ θ
C C

The result is that the angle for the V at the center is twice the angle of the other V.

The theorem is written technically as follows:

The angle at the center of a circle is twice the angle at the circumference standing on
the same arc.

A A
A 480

O O
700 O
0
130
B B
D B C
C
C
Find angle Find angle Find angle
ACB. a) BAD. a) BOC.

b) BCD. b) OBC.
 2

Circle theorems
Theorem 2: The diameter triangle. (Unofficial name)

The important features of this theorem are: A triangle using 3 points on the edge of a circle,
with a diameter of the circle as one of its sides:
C

Recall: A diameter is a line between

B two points on a circle that passes
through its center.

The result is that the angle in the triangle opposite to the diameter is 900.

The theorem is written technically as follows:

The angle in a semicircle is a right angle.

400 Find angle:

O a) ACB
b) AOB
c) BOC

B
C

470
D Find angle:

O 1) ACB
2) COB
3) OCD
B

C
 3

Circle theorems
Theorem 3: The Bowtie theorem. (Unofficial name)

The important features of this theorem are: Four points on the edge of a circle, connected in
the shape of a bowtie:

θ B
θ
α
D α

C
The result is that the two angles at the top corners of the bowtie are equal to each other, and
the two angles at the bottom corners of the bowtie are equal to each other.

The theorem is written technically as follows:

The angles in a same segment of a circle and subtended by the same arc are equal.
A

D Find angle:
0
38 a) BAC
29 0 b) ACD
c) ADB
B d) CAD
460

Find angle:
400
a) AXD
b) CBX
D c) ADX
970 d) ACB
X
B

C
 4

Circle theorems
The Cyclic Quadrilateral theorems

A cyclic quadrilateral is a quadrilateral made using four points on the edge of a circle.

Theorem 4:

The theorem is written technically as follows:

The opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral are supplementary. (They add up to 1800)

A
x B
b
x + y = 1800

a + b = 1800
y
a
C
D

Theorem 5:

The theorem is written technically as follows:

The exterior angle of a cyclic quadrilateral is equal to the interior opposite angle.

B
The exterior angle is at C. The
vertex opposite to C is A.
Therefore the exterior angle at C
is equal to the interior angle at A.
A
θ
θ
Generally, the exterior angles at C
one vertex of a cyclic
quadrilateral are equal to the
interior angles of the opposite
vertex. D
 5

D
A Find angle:
0
1100
55
a) BCD
O b) DCE
c) ADC
d) ABC
E
C
B

x
E Find angle:
O
a) x
y b) y
0 930 D
64
B C

D
A Find angle:
0
34 42 0
a) BAC
b) DCE
c) ADB

B C E

C
B
Find angle:

a) ADB
0
52 D b) BCD
A c) ABC
O 1120 d) BDC
E
 6

Circle theorems
The Tangent theorems

A tangent at a point on the edge of a circle is the line that touches the circle at that point only.

Theorem 6:

The theorem is written technically as follows:

A tangent of a circle is perpendicular to the radius of that circle at the point of contact.

O tangent at A

radius at A

A Find angle:
O
230 a) AOB
b) BOC
c) OCB

C
B

A Find angle:

a) AOB
O 230 b) ABC

B
 7

Circle theorems
Theorem 7:

The theorem is written technically as follows:

The lengths of two tangents from an external point to the points of contact on the
circle are equal.

A
O AB = AC

Observe that if we drew a line from B to C, then the triangle ABC would be an isosceles triangle.

Find angle:

a) ABC
43 0 A b) ABO
O c) BOC

B
Determine if triangles AOB and AOC are
congruent.

Hence, find angle:

2350 O
a) AOB
A b) BAC

C
 8

Circle theorems
A chord is a line joining two points on a circle not passing through the center.
Theorem 8:

The important features of this theorem are: A triangle using 3 points on the edge of a circle, a
tangent at one of the 3 points of the triangle and an angle at the tangent:

The angle outside the triangle is A

between the tangent at B and the side
BC. The vertex opposite to BC is A.
Therefore the angle at A is equal to
the angle between the tangent and
BC.

Observe that if the tangent was at C

instead of B, you would get the same
result.

θ
O C

The theorem is written technically as follows:

The angle between a tangent to a circle and a chord through the point of contact is
equal to the angle in the alternate segment.

A
B
510 Find angle:

a) BAC
b) ACD
c) BCA
 9

D
650
C
E

Circle theorems
Theorem 9:

The theorem is written technically as follows:

The line joining the center of a circle to the midpoint of a chord is perpendicular to the
chord.

A
O