Prepared for PYQ Hub. Last reviewed 30 July 2026. If you notice an academic or display issue, tell us.
Introduction
This chapter explores circles: their definition, symmetries, chords, distances from the centre, and the angles subtended by arcs and chords.
Activity
List some objects from nature that resemble a circle.
Solution
Many natural forms take a circular shape. Examples include the sun, the full moon, the ripples that form when a raindrop hits a puddle, the cross-section of a tree trunk, and the arrangement of petals on certain flowers like sunflowers.
Think and Reflect
Jamuna has a circular piece of paper. She is trying to locate its centre. Amina gives her a suggestion. She follows the instructions and is thrilled to find that it works. Can you guess what Amina told her?
Solution
Amina told her to fold the circular paper exactly in half so the edges meet, creating a straight crease across the middle. This crease is a diameter line. Then, she should fold the paper in half a second time, making the ends of the first crease meet. This creates a second diameter line. When she unfolds the paper, the point where the two straight creases intersect is the exact centre of the circle.
5.1 Definitions
A circle is the set of all points on the plane that are equidistant from a given point (the centre). That common distance is the radius. A chord is a line segment joining two points on the circle. A diameter is a chord through the centre.
Fig. 5.3: Circle, centre 𝐴, chord 𝐵𝐶 (radii to 𝐵,𝐶,𝐷,𝐸)
5.2 Symmetries of a Circle
A circle has complete rotational symmetry about its centre, and every diameter is a line of reflection symmetry.
Think and Reflect
What are the rotational symmetries of a square? How many lines of reflection symmetry does it have? What about a regular pentagon? A regular hexagon?
What is the length of the longest chord in a circle of radius 5 units? Is there a smallest chord?
The locus of points at a given distance from a given point is a circle. What can we say about the locus of points equidistant from two given points?
The longest chord is the diameter: 2×5=10 units. Chords can be arbitrarily short (no positive minimum).
The locus of points equidistant from two points 𝐴 and 𝐵 is the perpendicular bisector of segment 𝐴𝐵.
5.3 How Many Circles?
Fig. 5.4: Circles through two points — centres lie on the perpendicular bisector
Think and Reflect
How many circles pass through two points on a plane?
Are there circles of all possible radii through 𝐴 and 𝐵? What is the smallest radius? Largest?
As you move away from 𝐴𝐵 along its perpendicular bisector, do the radii increase or decrease?
Do those circles appear more curved or less curved?
How many squares can have 𝐴 and 𝐵 on the boundary? How many with 𝐴 and 𝐵 as corners?
Solution
Infinitely many circles pass through two given points; centres lie on the perpendicular bisector of the joining segment.
Not every radius works. Minimum radius is 12𝐴𝐵 (when 𝐴𝐵 is a diameter). There is no maximum radius.
Radii increase as the centre moves farther from 𝐴𝐵.
Larger circles appear less curved (flatter).
Infinitely many squares can have 𝐴,𝐵 on the boundary. Exactly three squares have 𝐴 and 𝐵 as vertices: two with 𝐴𝐵 as a side, one with 𝐴𝐵 as a diagonal.
Three non-collinear points determine a unique circle — the circumcircle of the triangle they form. The circumcentre is the intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of the sides.
Fig. 5.5: Circumcircle of Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 (acute) — circumcentre 𝑂 inside, at intersection of perpendicular bisectorsFig. 5.6: Obtuse-angled triangle — circumcentre 𝑂 lies outside the triangleFig. 5.7: Right-angled triangle — circumcentre 𝑂 is the midpoint of the hypotenuse
Exercise Set 5.1
Question
Draw Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 with 𝐴𝐵=5 cm, ∠𝐴=70∘ and ∠𝐵=60∘. Draw the circumcircle. Is the centre inside or outside?
Solution
∠𝐶=180∘−(70∘+60∘)=50∘.
All angles 70∘, 60∘, 50∘ are acute, so the triangle is acute-angled.
For an acute-angled triangle, the circumcentre lies inside the triangle.
Question
Draw Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 with 𝐴𝐵=5 cm, ∠𝐴=100∘, 𝐴𝐶=4 cm. Draw the circumcircle. Is the centre inside or outside?
Solution
Since ∠𝐴=100∘>90∘, the triangle is obtuse-angled.
For an obtuse-angled triangle, the circumcentre lies outside the triangle.
Question
Draw Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 with 𝐴𝐵=6 cm, 𝐵𝐶=7 cm, 𝐶𝐴=7 cm. Measure 𝑂𝐴, 𝑂𝐵, 𝑂𝐶 for circumcentre 𝑂.
Solution
𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶 lie on the circumcircle with centre 𝑂.
So 𝑂𝐴, 𝑂𝐵, 𝑂𝐶 are radii of the same circle: 𝑂𝐴=𝑂𝐵=𝑂𝐶.
Question
What is the least possible radius of a circle through two points 𝐴 and 𝐵?
Solution
The smallest circle through 𝐴 and 𝐵 has 𝐴𝐵 as diameter.
Least radius =12𝐴𝐵.
Think, Draw and Infer
Question
Three collinear points 𝐴,𝐵,𝐶: can 𝑃𝐴=𝑃𝐵=𝑃𝐶? Are the perpendicular bisectors of 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵𝐶 parallel? Can a circle pass through three collinear points? Can a line cut a circle in three points?
Solution
No point 𝑃 satisfies 𝑃𝐴=𝑃𝐵=𝑃𝐶 for three collinear points.
Both perpendicular bisectors are perpendicular to the same line 𝐴𝐵𝐶, so they are parallel and never meet.
Hence no circle through three collinear points (centre would need that intersection).
A line meets a circle in at most two distinct points.
Question
Can other triangles congruent to Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 share the same circumcircle?
Solution
Yes. Rotating Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 about the circumcentre yields congruent triangles on the same circumcircle.
5.4 Chords and the Angles They Subtend
Equal chords 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐷𝐸 with centre 𝐶 form congruent isosceles triangles
Theorem 2: Equal chords subtend equal angles at the centre. Theorem 3 (converse): Chords subtending equal central angles are equal.
Exercise Set 5.2
Question
Show that the triangle formed by a chord and the centre is isosceles.
Solution
Let chord 𝐴𝐵 and centre 𝐶 form Δ𝐶𝐴𝐵.
𝐶𝐴 and 𝐶𝐵 are both radii, so 𝐶𝐴=𝐶𝐵.
A triangle with two equal sides is isosceles.
Question
Show that if two such isosceles triangles have equal base length, they are congruent.
Solution
Let Δ𝐶𝐴𝐵 and Δ𝐶𝐷𝐸 arise from equal chords 𝐴𝐵=𝐷𝐸 and the same centre 𝐶.
Then 𝐶𝐴=𝐶𝐵=𝐶𝐷=𝐶𝐸=𝑟 (radii) and 𝐴𝐵=𝐷𝐸.
By SSS, Δ𝐶𝐴𝐵≅Δ𝐶𝐷𝐸.
5.5 Midpoints and Perpendicular Bisectors of Chords
Fig. 5.12: Line from centre 𝐶 to midpoint 𝑀 of chord 𝐴𝐵 is perpendicular to 𝐴𝐵
Theorem 4: The line from the centre to the midpoint of a chord is perpendicular to the chord. Theorem 5 (converse): The perpendicular from the centre to a chord bisects it.
Exercise Set 5.3
Question
Explain why the perpendicular from the centre to a chord bisects the chord.
Solution
In Fig. 5.12, 𝐶𝑀⟂𝐴𝐵. Consider Δ𝐶𝑀𝐴 and Δ𝐶𝑀𝐵.
∠𝐶𝑀𝐴=∠𝐶𝑀𝐵=90∘; hypotenuses 𝐶𝐴=𝐶𝐵 (radii); 𝐶𝑀 is common.
By RHS congruence, Δ𝐶𝑀𝐴≅Δ𝐶𝑀𝐵.
Hence 𝐴𝑀=𝐵𝑀: the perpendicular bisects the chord.
Question
Isosceles Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 inscribed with 𝐴𝐵=𝐴𝐶. Show the altitude from 𝐴 to 𝐵𝐶 passes through the centre.
Solution
In isosceles Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 with 𝐴𝐵=𝐴𝐶, the altitude from 𝐴 to 𝐵𝐶 is also the perpendicular bisector of chord 𝐵𝐶.
The perpendicular bisector of any chord passes through the centre.
Therefore that altitude passes through the centre.
Question
Parallel chords 6 cm and 8 cm on opposite sides of the centre; radius 5 cm. Distance between midpoints?
Solution
Let 𝑑1 be distance to the 6 cm chord and 𝑑2 to the 8 cm chord.
Half of 6 is 3: 𝑑21+32=52⇒𝑑21+9=25⇒𝑑21=16⇒𝑑1=4 cm.
Half of 8 is 4: 𝑑22+42=52⇒𝑑22+16=25⇒𝑑22=9⇒𝑑2=3 cm.
Opposite sides of the centre: distance between midpoints =𝑑1+𝑑2=4+3=7 cm.
5.6 Distance of Chords from the Centre
Theorem 6: Equal chords are equidistant from the centre. Theorem 7 (converse): Chords equidistant from the centre are equal. Theorem 8: Of two unequal chords, the longer is closer to the centre.
Fig. 5.15: If 𝐶𝐸=𝐶𝐻 (perpendicular distances), then chords 𝐴𝐵=𝐺𝐹
Exercise Set 5.4
Question
Use Baudhāyana–Pythagoras to show Theorem 6.
Solution
Let equal chords 𝐴𝐵=𝐺𝐹, centre 𝐶. Drop 𝐶𝐸⟂𝐴𝐵 and 𝐶𝐻⟂𝐺𝐹.
Then 𝐴𝐸=12𝐴𝐵 and 𝐹𝐻=12𝐺𝐹, so 𝐴𝐸=𝐹𝐻.
In right triangles: 𝐶𝐴2=𝐶𝐸2+𝐴𝐸2 and 𝐶𝐹2=𝐶𝐻2+𝐹𝐻2.
Since 𝐶𝐴=𝐶𝐹 (radii), 𝐶𝐸2+𝐴𝐸2=𝐶𝐻2+𝐹𝐻2.
With 𝐴𝐸=𝐹𝐻, we get 𝐶𝐸2=𝐶𝐻2, so 𝐶𝐸=𝐶𝐻.
Question
Fig. 5.15: 𝐶𝐸⟂𝐴𝐵, 𝐶𝐻⟂𝐺𝐹, 𝐶𝐸=𝐶𝐻. Show 𝐴𝐵=𝐺𝐹.
Solution
In right Δ𝐶𝐸𝐴 and Δ𝐶𝐻𝐹: hypotenuses 𝐶𝐴=𝐶𝐹 (radii), legs 𝐶𝐸=𝐶𝐻 (given).
By RHS, Δ𝐶𝐸𝐴≅Δ𝐶𝐻𝐹, so 𝐴𝐸=𝐹𝐻.
Then 𝐴𝐵=2𝐴𝐸 and 𝐺𝐹=2𝐹𝐻, hence 𝐴𝐵=𝐺𝐹.
Question
Solve the previous question using Baudhāyana–Pythagoras.
Solution
𝐴𝐸2=𝐶𝐴2−𝐶𝐸2 and 𝐹𝐻2=𝐶𝐹2−𝐶𝐻2.
With 𝐶𝐴=𝐶𝐹 and 𝐶𝐸=𝐶𝐻: 𝐹𝐻2=𝐴𝐸2, so 𝐹𝐻=𝐴𝐸.
Thus 𝐴𝐵=2𝐴𝐸=2𝐹𝐻=𝐺𝐹.
Exercise Set 5.5
Question
Radius 7 cm, perpendicular distance 6 cm. Find chord length.
Solution
Half-chord 𝑥: 𝑥2+62=72⇒𝑥2+36=49⇒𝑥2=13⇒𝑥=√13.
Full chord =2√13 cm.
Question
Explain: chord length =2√𝑟2−𝑑2.
Solution
The perpendicular from the centre bisects the chord. Half-chord 𝑥 satisfies 𝑥2+𝑑2=𝑟2.
So 𝑥=√𝑟2−𝑑2. Full chord =2𝑥=2√𝑟2−𝑑2.
Question
If distance of 𝐴𝐵 from centre is twice that of 𝐶𝐷, is 𝐶𝐷=2𝐴𝐵?
Solution
No. Let distance to 𝐶𝐷 be 𝑑; then distance to 𝐴𝐵 is 2𝑑.
𝐶𝐷=2√𝑟2−𝑑2 and 𝐴𝐵=2√𝑟2−4𝑑2.
These are not related by the factor 2 in general (the relation is not linear).
5.7 Angles Subtended by an Arc
Fig. 5.19: Circle with centre 𝑂; arcs 𝐴𝐾𝐵 and 𝐶𝐿𝐷
Question
Fig. 5.19: Are arcs 𝐴𝐾𝐵 and 𝐶𝐿𝐷 minor or major?
Solution
Central angle less than 180∘ means a minor arc; greater means major.
In the figure both arcs shown are the shorter routes, so both are minor arcs.
Theorem 9: Central angle is double the angle at the circumference (same arc). Angle in a semicircle is 90∘. Theorem 10: equal angles on the same side of a segment imply concyclic points. Theorem 11: opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral sum to 180∘.
Exercise Set 5.6
Question
Central angle ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵=60∘, radius 12 cm. Find chord 𝐴𝐵.
Solution
In Δ𝐴𝑂𝐵, 𝑂𝐴=𝑂𝐵=12 cm, so base angles are equal.
∠𝑂𝐴𝐵=∠𝑂𝐵𝐴=180∘−60∘2=60∘.
All angles 60∘: equilateral triangle. Hence 𝐴𝐵=12 cm.
Question
Points 𝑋,𝑌 on the same side of chord 𝐴𝐵 on the circle: can ∠𝐴𝑋𝐵≠∠𝐴𝑌𝐵?
Solution
No. Angles in the same segment are equal (corollary of Theorem 9).
Question
If ∠𝐴𝑋𝐵=∠𝐴𝑌𝐵 (on the circle), must 𝑋 and 𝑌 lie on the same side of 𝐴𝐵?
Solution
Yes. Equal angles characterise the same segment; opposite segments give supplementary (not equal) angles in general.
Question
If ∠𝐴𝑋𝐵=∠𝐴𝑌𝐵 on the same side of 𝐴𝐵, does the circle through 𝐴,𝐵,𝑋 pass through 𝑌?
Solution
Yes (Theorem 10): 𝐴,𝐵,𝑋,𝑌 are concyclic.
Fig. 5.26: Cyclic quadrilateral 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 inscribed in the circle; ∠𝐴𝐷𝐶=100∘, ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶=𝑥
Question
Find 𝑥 in Fig. 5.26.
Solution
𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 is a cyclic quadrilateral (all four vertices lie on the circle).
By Theorem 11, opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral sum to 180∘.
∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 and ∠𝐴𝐷𝐶 are opposite, with ∠𝐴𝐷𝐶=100∘ and ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶=𝑥.
So 𝑥+100∘=180∘, hence 𝑥=80∘.
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Question
Chord 5 cm from centre; radius 13 cm. Chord length?
Solution
Half-chord 𝑥: 𝑥2+52=132⇒𝑥2+25=169⇒𝑥2=144⇒𝑥=12.
Full chord =24 cm.
Question
Arc subtends 70∘ at centre. Angle at a point on the remaining circle?
Solution
By Theorem 9: circumference angle =70∘2=35∘.
Question
Diameter 26 cm; chord 24 cm. Distance from centre to chord?
Solution
𝑟=13 cm; half-chord =12 cm.
𝑑2+122=132⇒𝑑2+144=169⇒𝑑2=25⇒𝑑=5 cm.
Question
Radius 15 cm; distance to chord 9 cm. Chord length?
Solution
𝑥2+92=152⇒𝑥2+81=225⇒𝑥2=144⇒𝑥=12.
Full chord =24 cm.
Question
Prove: perpendicular bisector of a chord passes through the centre.
Solution
Let chord 𝐴𝐵, centre 𝑂. Then 𝑂𝐴=𝑂𝐵 (radii).
So 𝑂 is equidistant from 𝐴 and 𝐵, hence 𝑂 lies on the perpendicular bisector of 𝐴𝐵.
Question
Diameter 𝐴𝐵; 𝐶 on circumference. Measure of ∠𝐴𝐶𝐵?
Solution
∠𝐴𝐶𝐵=90∘ (angle in a semicircle).
Central angle for diameter is 180∘; half is 90∘ by Theorem 9.
Chord 16 cm at distance 6 cm from centre. Find radius.
Solution
Half-chord =8 cm.
𝑟2=82+62=64+36=100⇒𝑟=10 cm.
Question
Cyclic quadrilateral with sides 5,5,12,12. Find its area.
Solution
This is a cyclic kite (two pairs of adjacent equal sides).
A cyclic kite has right angles where unequal sides meet.
Area of one right triangle with legs 5 and 12: 12×5×12=30.
Total area =2×30=60 square units.
(Check: 52+122=132, so the diagonal between equal-side joints is a diameter of length 13.)
Question
*11. Without drawing the circumcircle, how can we tell if the circumcentre of a cyclic quadrilateral lies inside or outside?
Solution
Draw a diagonal, splitting the cyclic quadrilateral into two triangles that share the same circumcircle.
The circumcentre is the circumcentre of either triangle.
A triangle circumcentre is inside / on / outside according as the triangle is acute / right / obtuse.
Check whether that point lies inside both triangular halves (hence inside the quadrilateral), or outside.
Equivalently, construct perpendicular bisectors of two sides; their intersection is the centre — see where it falls.
Question
*12. Equal chords intersect inside a circle. Show corresponding segments are equal.
Solution
Let equal chords 𝐴𝐵=𝐶𝐷 meet at 𝑃; centre 𝑂.
Equal chords are equidistant from 𝑂: if 𝑂𝐸⟂𝐴𝐵 and 𝑂𝐹⟂𝐶𝐷, then 𝑂𝐸=𝑂𝐹, and 𝐸,𝐹 are midpoints.
In right Δ𝑂𝐸𝑃 and Δ𝑂𝐹𝑃: common hypotenuse 𝑂𝑃, 𝑂𝐸=𝑂𝐹. By RHS, Δ𝑂𝐸𝑃≅Δ𝑂𝐹𝑃, so 𝐸𝑃=𝐹𝑃.
Also 𝐴𝐸=𝐶𝐹 (halves of equal chords).
Hence the segments of the two chords match (equal or reversed order). Combined with 𝐴𝐵=𝐶𝐷, both pairs of segments correspond.
This is consistent with the intersecting-chords theorem 𝐴𝑃⋅𝑃𝐵=𝐶𝑃⋅𝑃𝐷.
Question
*13. Draw a circle in which a chord of 6 cm is 3 cm from the centre.
Solution
Half-chord =3 cm, distance =3 cm.
𝑟2=32+32=18⇒𝑟=3√2 cm.
Construction: form a right isosceles triangle with legs 3 cm; use the hypotenuse as radius; draw the circle; place the chord at distance 3 cm from the centre with half-length 3 cm each side of the foot.
Question
*14. Show a rectangle is the only parallelogram that can be inscribed in a circle.
Solution
Let parallelogram 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 be cyclic.
Opposite angles of a parallelogram are equal: ∠𝐴=∠𝐶.
Opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral sum to 180∘: ∠𝐴+∠𝐶=180∘.
So 2∠𝐴=180∘⇒∠𝐴=90∘.
A parallelogram with a right angle is a rectangle.
Question
*15. Rectangle inscribed in a circle: show diagonals meet at the centre.
Solution
Diagonals of a rectangle are equal and bisect each other at 𝑀.
Then 𝑀𝐴=𝑀𝐵=𝑀𝐶=𝑀𝐷 (each is half a diagonal).
The unique point equidistant from all four vertices on the circle is the circumcentre.
Hence 𝑀 is the centre.
Question
*16. Midpoints of all chords of a fixed length form what shape?
Solution
Equal chords lie at a fixed distance 𝑑 from the centre (Theorem 6).
Each midpoint is at distance 𝑑 from the centre.
So the midpoints form a concentric circle of radius 𝑑.
Question
*17. Congruent chords 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶; centre 𝑂. Why does 𝑂 lie on the bisector of ∠𝐵𝐴𝐶?
Solution
In Δ𝑂𝐴𝐵 and Δ𝑂𝐴𝐶: 𝐴𝐵=𝐴𝐶 (given), 𝑂𝐵=𝑂𝐶 (radii), 𝑂𝐴 common.
By SSS, Δ𝑂𝐴𝐵≅Δ𝑂𝐴𝐶.
Hence ∠𝑂𝐴𝐵=∠𝑂𝐴𝐶: 𝑂𝐴 bisects ∠𝐵𝐴𝐶.
Question
Parallel chords 10 cm and 24 cm on the same side of the centre; distance between them 7 cm. Find radius.
Solution
Longer chord is closer to the centre. Let its distance be 𝑥; then the 10 cm chord is at 𝑥+7.
𝑟2=122+𝑥2=144+𝑥2
𝑟2=52+(𝑥+7)2=25+𝑥2+14𝑥+49=𝑥2+14𝑥+74
144+𝑥2=𝑥2+14𝑥+74⇒144=14𝑥+74⇒70=14𝑥⇒𝑥=5.
𝑟2=144+25=169⇒𝑟=13 cm.
Question
*19. Regular hexagon inscribed in circle of radius 𝑟. Side length? Distance of each side from centre?
Solution
Six radii to the vertices make six equilateral triangles of side 𝑟.
Side of hexagon =𝑟.
Distance to a side: right triangle with hypotenuse 𝑟 and base 𝑟2:
𝑑=√𝑟2−(𝑟/2)2=√3𝑟24=𝑟√32.
Question
Cyclic quadrilateral 𝑀𝑁𝑂𝑃 with diameter 𝑀𝑁. What about ∠𝑀𝑂𝑃 and ∠𝑀𝑁𝑃?
Solution
Since 𝑀𝑁 is a diameter, the angle subtended by 𝑀𝑁 at any point on the remaining circumference is 90∘ (angle in a semicircle).
In Δ𝑀𝑁𝑂, the angle at 𝑂 is ∠𝑀𝑂𝑁=90∘.
In Δ𝑀𝑁𝑃, the angle at 𝑃 is ∠𝑀𝑃𝑁=90∘.
Clarification / correction: The angles forced to be 90∘ by the diameter theorem are the angles at the circumference subtended by arc 𝑀𝑁, namely ∠𝑀𝑂𝑁 and ∠𝑀𝑃𝑁. The labels ∠𝑀𝑂𝑃 and ∠𝑀𝑁𝑃 name different angles and are not automatically 90∘ from 𝑀𝑁 being a diameter alone. The intended fact is that the angles in the semicircle at the other two vertices are right angles.