A circle is a plane shape formed by a curve such that all points on the curve are the same distance from a fixed point, called the centre.

Definitions
Radii
Tangents

Definitions

 

circumference is the distance around a circle.

radius is the distance from the centre to any point on the circumference.

diameter is a chord that passes through the centre.
The length of the diameter is twice the length of the radius.

Y10_Circle_Properties_01.gif

An arc is a part of the circumference.

major arc is more than half of the circumferene.

minor arc is less than half of the circumference.

Y10_Circle_Properties_02.gif

A chord is a line joining two points on the circumference.

Y10_Circle_Properties_03.gif

segment is an area of a circle bounded by a chord and the circumference.

 

Y10_Circle_Properties_04.gif

A sector is an area of a circle bounded by two radii and the circumference.

 

Y10_Circle_Properties_05.gif

 

tangent is a line that touches the circumference of the circle at only one point.

Y10_Circle_Properties_06.gif

Concyclic points lie on the circumference of the same circle.

e.g. A, B and C are concyclic points.

 

Y10_Circle_Properties_07.gif

Concentric circles have the same centre.

e.g. The two circles shown are concentric.

 

Y10_Circle_Properties_08.gif

 

Radii

 

Two radii in a circle form part of an isosceles triangle.

e.g. OAB is an isosceles triangle.

Y10_Circle_Properties_10.gifA = Y10_Circle_Properties_10.gifB

 

Y10_Circle_Properties_09.gif

 

Tangents

 

 

A tangent to a circle forms an angle of 90°with

the radius at the point of contact.

e.g. Y10_Circle_Properties_10.gifOAB = 90°

 

Y10_Circle_Properties_11.gif

Two tangents to a circle from a point are equal in length.

A line from the point to the centre of the circle is an axis of symmetry.

e.g. AB = AC

m is an axis of symmetry.

 

Y10_Circle_Properties_12.gif