Circles Class 9 Notes Maths Chapter 10

Introduction to Circles

A circle is a unique figure; it is everywhere around us. We see the dials of clocks, buttons of shirts, coins, wheels of a vehicle, etc. All these are in the shape of a circle.

Terms related to circles

2. Diameter: The chord, which passes through the center of the circle is called a diameter of the circle. Diameter is the longest chord and all diameters have the same length, which is equal to two times the radius of the circle.
The length of the complete circle is called its circumference.

3. Arc: The arc of a circle is a portion of the circumference of a circle.

A piece of a circle between two points is also called an arc.
Two points lying on the circle define two arcs: The shorter one is called a minor arc and the longer one is called a major arc.
The minor arc AB is also denoted by  and the major arc AB by where D is some point on the arc between A and B. When A and B are ends of a diameter, then both arcs are equal and each is called a semicircle.

4. Segment: The region between a chord and either of its arc is called a segment of the circle. There are two types of segments also: which are the major segment and the minor segment.

5. Sector: The region between the arc and the two radii, joining the center to the ends points of the arc is called a sector. The minor arc corresponds to the minor sector and the major arc corresponds to the major sector.
When the two arcs are equal, then both segments and both sectors become equal and each is known as a semicircle.

Angle Subtended by a Chord at a Point

Theorem 1: Equal chords of circle subtend equal angles at the centre.

Given: 

A circle with centre H.

Two chords KL and JI are equal

To Prove: ∠KHL = ∠JHI
Proof:
We are given two chords KL and JI. We need to prove that ∠KHL = ∠JHI.
In triangles KHL and JHI,
HL = HJ
HI = HK
and we are given that KL = JI.
So, both the triangles are congruent. Thus, both of these angles are equal. Hence, proved.

Theorem 2: If the angles subtended by two chords at the centre are equal, then the two chords are equal

Given: 

A circle with centre O.

∠COD= ∠AOB  are equal

To Prove: AB=CD

Proof: 

We are given two chords AB and CD. We need to prove that two chords AB and CD are equal

∠AOB = ∠COD (Vertically opposite angles ) ……………(1)

OA = OB = OC= OD (Radii of the same circle) ……………(2)

From eq. 1 and 2, we get;

∆AOB ≅ ∆COD (SAS Axiom of congruency)

Since, 

OA = OB = OC= OD

AB = CD (By CPCT)

Perpendicular from the Centre to a Chord

Theorem 3: The perpendicular from the centre of a circle to a chord bisects the chord

Given: 

A circle with centre O.

PQ is a chord such that OM is perpendicular to PQ

To Prove: OM bisects chord PQ i.e. PM=MQ

Proof: Given, in ∆QMO and ∆PMO,
∠OMP = ∠OMQ = 90° (OM ⊥ PQ) ………(1)
OP = OQ (Radii of the circle) ……….(2)
OM = OM (Common side) ………….(3)
From eq. (1), (2) and (3), we get;
∆QMO ≅ ∆PMO (R.H.S Axiom of congruency)
Hence, PM=MQ (By CPCT)

Theorem 4: The line drawn through the centre of a circle to bisect a chord is perpendicular to the chord

Given: 

A circle with centre O.

 OM bisects chord PQ i.e. PM=MQ

To Prove: PQ is a chord such that OM is perpendicular to PQ

Proof:
Let PQ be the chord of a circle and OM be the line from the centre that bisects the chord. Here, M is the mid point of the chord, and we have to prove that ∠OMQ = 90°.
In triangles ΔOPM and ΔOQM.
PM = MQ (perpendicular bisects the chord)
OP = OQ (radius of the circle)
OM = OM (common side of both the triangles)
So, both these triangles are congruent. This gives, angles ∠OMQ and ∠OMP as 90°

Equal Chords and Distance from the Centre

If two chords of a circle are equal, then their corresponding arcs are congruent and conversely, if two arcs are congruent, then their corresponding chords are equal. Similar to the case of chords, equal arcs also subtend equal angles at the centre.

Theorem 5: Equal chords of a circle are equidistant (equal distance) from the centre of the circle. 

Given: 

A circle with centre O.

AB and CD are two equal chords of a circle i.e. AB=CD and OM and ON are perpendiculars to AB and CD respectively.

To Prove: OM=ON

Proof: 

Given, In ∆OMB and ∆OND

BM = 1/2 AB (Perpendicular to a chord bisects it) ……..(1) 

DN = 1/2 CD (Perpendicular to a chord bisects it) ……..(2) 

AB = CD (Given)

BM = DN (from eq 1 and 2) 

OB = OD (Radii of the same circle)

∠OMB = ∠OND = 90° (OM ⊥ AB and ON ⊥ CD) 

∆OMB ≅ ∆OND ( By R.H.S Axiom of Congruency) 

Hence, OM = ON ( By CPCT)

Theorem 6: Chords of a circle, which are at equal distances from the centre are equal in length

Given: 

A circle with centre O.

AB and CD are two equal chords of a circle i.e. AB=CD and OM and ON are perpendiculars to AB and CD respectively.

OM=ON

To Prove: AB=CD

Proof: Given, in ∆OMB and ∆OND, OM = ON ………….(1) 

∠OMB = ∠OND = 90° ………..(2) 

OB = OD (Radii of the same circle) ………..(3) 

Therefore, from eq. 1, 2 and 3, we get; 

∆OMB ≅ ∆OND (By R.H.S Axiom of Congruency) 

BM = DN ( By CPCT) 

1/2 AB = 1/2 CD (Perpendicular from center bisects the chord) 

Hence, AB = CD

Theorem 7: The angle subtended by an arc at the centre is double the angle subtended by it at any point on the remaining part of the circle.

Given: An arc PQ of a circle subtending angles POQ at the centre O and PAQ at a point A on the remaining part of the circle. 

To Prove :∠POQ = 2∠PAQ.

Proof:

Let’s consider three cases,

• Arc PQ is major arc.
• Arc PQ is minor arc.
• Arc PQ is semi-circle.

Let’s join AO and extend it to B.
In all three cases, ∠BOQ = ∠OAQ + ∠OQA. (Exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the two interior opposite angles).
Also in triangle ΔOAQ,
OA = OQ (Radii of Circle)
Therefore, ∠ OAQ = ∠ OQA
this gives, ∠ BOQ = 2∠OAQ
∠ BOP = 2∠OAP
from (1) and (2), ∠ BOP + ∠ BOQ = 2(∠ OAP + ∠ OAQ)
∠POQ = 2 ∠PAQ
For the case (iii), where PQ is the major arc, (3) is replaced by
Reflex angle POQ = 2∠PAQ

Example 2: What is the value of ∠ABC?
Solution: According to the theorem, ∠AOC = 2 ∠ABC
Therefore, ∠ABC = 60°/2 = 30° line segment joining two points subtends equal angles at two other points lying on the same side of the line containing the line segment, the four points lie on a circle (i.e., they are concyclic).

Some other properties

• Angles in the same segment of a circle are equal.
• If a line segment joining two points subtends equal angles at two other points lying on the same side of the line containing the line segment, the four points lie on a circle (i.e. they are concyclic).

Theorem 8: Angles in the same segment of a circle are equal. 

Given: 

A circle with centre O

Points P and Q on this circle subtends ∠PAQ = ∠PBQ at points A and B respectively. 

To Prove : ∠PAQ = ∠PBQ

Proof: Let P and Q be any two points on a circle to form a chord PQ, A and C any other points on the remaining part of the circle and O be the centre of the circle. Then,

∠POQ = 2∠PAQ  ...... (i)

And ∠POQ = 2∠PBQ  ....... (ii) 

From above equations, we get

2∠PAQ = 2∠PBQ

Hence ∠PAQ = ∠PBQ

Theorem 9: If a line segment joining two points subtend equal angles at two other points lying on the same side of the lien containing the line segment the four points lie on a circle.

Given: 

AB is a line segment, which subtends equal angles at two points C and D. i.e., ∠ACB = ∠ADB. 

To Prove: 

The points A, B, C and D lie on a circle.

Proof: 

Let us draw a circle through the points A, C and B.

Suppose it does not pass through the point D.

Then it will intersect AD (or extended AD) at a point, say E (or E’).

If points A,C,E and B lie on a circle,

∠ACD = ∠AEB [∴ Angles in the same segment of circle are equal]

But it is given that ∠ACB = ∠ADB

Therefore, ∠AEB = ∠ADB

This is possible only when E coincides with D. [As otherwise ∠AEB >∠ADB]

Similarly, E’ should also coincide with D. So A, B, C and D are concyclic. 

Hence Proved.

Cyclic Quadrilaterals

A quadrilateral is called cyclic if all the four vertices of it lie on a circle.
They are also called inscribed quadrilaterals.

Theorem 10: The sum of either pair of opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral is 180º.

Given: PQRS is a cyclic quadrilateral with centre O.

To Prove: 

∠PSR + ∠PQR = 360°

∠SPQ + ∠QRS = 360°
Proof:
Considering arc PQR, ∠POR = 2 ∠PSR,
Similarly, considering PSR, reflex ∠POR = 2∠PQR
We know, ∠POR + relfex ∠POR = 360°.
⇒ 2 ∠PSR + 2∠PQR = 360°
⇒ 2(∠PSR + ∠PQR) = 360°
⇒ ∠PSR + ∠PQR = 180°
Thus, sum of opposite angles of cyclic quadrilateral is 180°.

Example 3: In the figure below, BC is the diameter of the circle, ED is a chord equal to the radius of the circle. BE and CD when extended intersect at a point F. Prove that ∠BFC = 60°.
Solution: In the figure, join AE, AD and EC. Triangle AED is an equilateral triangle.
Therefore, ∠EAD = 60°. Now, ∠ECD becomes 30°.
We know that ∠BEC = 90°.
So, by the property of exterior angles of triangle,
∠BEC = ∠ECD + ∠BFC,
90° = 30° + ∠BFC
⇒ 60° = ∠BFC
Hence, Proved.

Theorem 11: If the sum of a pair of opposite angles of a quadrilateral is 180º, the quadrilateral is cyclic.

Given: ABPQ is a quadrilateral, such that ∠ ABP + ∠ AQP =180 degree and ∠ QAB + ∠ QPB = 180 degree

To prove: The points A, B, P and Q lie on the circumference of a circle. 

Proof: Assume that point P does not lie on a circle drawn through points A, B and Q. 

Let the circle cut QP at point R. Join BR. ∠ QAB + ∠ QRB = 180 degree [opposite angles of cyclic quadrilateral.]

∠ QAB + ∠ QPB = 180 degree [given]

∴ ∠ QRB = ∠ QPB 

But this cannot be true since ∠ QRB = ∠ QPB + ∠ RBP (exterior angle of the triangle) 

∴ Our assumption that the circle does not pass through P is incorrect and A, B, P and Q lie on the circumference of a circle.

∴ ABPQ is a cyclic quadrilateral.