10.

1 Exploring Angles in a Circle

Focus on… Maddy, Jennifer, and
After this lesson, you Nia are each about to
will be able to… shoot at the empty net.
• describe a If they are each equally
relationship between accurate with their shot,
inscribed angles in who do you think is
a circle most likely to score?
• relate the inscribed
angle and central
angle subtended by
the same arc

Materials Explore Relationships Between Angles in a Circle

• compass or circular
geoboard with elastic 1. Construct a large circle and label its centre C. D
B
bands Construct a chord AB and a central angle ∠BCA.
• protractor Measure ∠BCA.
• ruler
C
2. Create the inscribed angle ∠BDA. What is the
chord A
measure of ∠BDA?
• a line segment with
both endpoints on a
3. How do the measures of ∠BCA and ∠BDA compare?
circle

central angle 4. Create a second inscribed angle ∠BEA. What is the measure of ∠BEA?
• an angle formed by two
radii of a circle 5. Choose another point on the circle between D and E. Create one more
inscribed angle that has its arms touching the endpoints of the arc AB.
inscribed angle
What is the measure of this inscribed angle?
• an angle formed by two
chords that share a
common endpoint 6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 for a different sized circle, and a different sized
chord AB.
arc (of a circle)
• a portion of the Reflect and Check
circumference
7. a) What is the relationship between a central angle and an inscribed
A angle that stands on the same arc?
chord
central arc b) What is the relationship between all the inscribed angles that
angle stand on the same arc?

B 8. Predict which hockey player in the opening paragraph is most

inscribed
angle likely to score on the empty net. Explain.

378 MHR • Chapter 10

Link the Ideas
You can use properties related to angles in a circle to solve problems.

Inscribed Angles
The inscribed angles subtended by the same arc are congruent.

Central and Inscribed Angles

The measure of the central angle is equal to twice the measure of the
inscribed angle subtended by the same arc.

Example 1: Determine Angle Measures in a Circle

Point C is the centre of the circle. ∠AEB = 35° E
D 35°
a) What is the measure of ∠ADB? Literacy Link
Justify your answer. An angle that subtends
CC an arc or a chord is an
b) What is the measure of ∠ACB? angle that "stands on"
Justify your answer. or is formed by the
endpoints of the arc or
B
chord.
A

Solution
Web Link
a) The inscribed angles, ∠ADB and ∠AEB, are equal because they are
You may wish to explore
subtended by the same arc, AB.
these geometric
Therefore, ∠ADB = 35°. properties on a
geoboard or on a
computer. Go to www.
b) The central angle ∠ACB is subtended by the same arc AB as the mathlinks9.ca and
inscribed angle ∠AEB. A central angle is twice the measure of an follow the links.
inscribed angle that is subtended by the same arc.
∠ACB = 2∠AEB
= 2 × 35°
= 70°
Therefore, ∠ACB = 70°.

Show You Know

Point C is the centre of the circle. ∠DAB = 55°. D
What are the measures of angles ∠DEB and ∠DCB?
Justify your answers.
A 55° CC
B

10.1 Exploring Angles in a Circle • MHR 379

 Example 2: Use Central and Inscribed Angles
to Recognize Relationships
B
Point C is the centre of the circle.
diameter AB = 10 cm
chord BD = 6 cm 6 cm
D
a) What is the measure of ∠ADB? C
10 cm
Explain your reasoning.
b) What is the length of the chord AD?
Justify your answer.
A

Solution
a) The diameter AB divides the circle into two semicircles. Since AB is a
straight line, the central angle ∠ACB is 180°. Then, ∠ADB must be half
of 180° because it is an inscribed angle that is subtended by the same
arc, AB. The measure of ∠ADB is 90°.

b) Since ∠ADB = 90°, ABD is a right triangle.

The Pythagorean relationship can be used to find the length of AD.
AD2 + BD2 = AB2
AD2 + 62 = 102
AD2 + 36 = 100
AD2 = 64___
AD = √64
AD = 8
Therefore, AD = 8 cm.

Show You Know

Point C is the centre of the circle. AB is
the diameter.
chord AD = 12 cm
A C
chord BD = 5 cm
a) What is the measure of ∠ADB? Explain your B
12 cm 5 cm
reasoning.
b) What is the length of the diameter AB? D

380 MHR • Chapter 10

Example 3: Use Central and Inscribed Angles to
Solve Problems
Jamie works for a realtor. One
of his jobs is to photograph
houses that are for sale. He
photographed a house two
months ago using a camera lens
that has a 70° field of view. He
X 70° house
has returned to the house to
update the photo, but he has
forgotten his original lens. Today
he only has a telephoto lens with
a 35° field of view.
From what location(s) could
Jamie photograph the house, with the telephoto lens, so that the
entire house still fills the width of the picture. Explain your choices.

Solution
Draw a circle with the centre located at the vertex of the 70° angle. Strategies
Use one arm of the angle as the radius of the circle. Construct any Draw a Diagram
number of different inscribed angles that each contains the front of the Identify all
house. Any of these points are locations from which Jamie could take Possibilities
the photo. The measure of each of these inscribed angles will be half
the measure of the central angle.
70° ÷ 2 = 35°
Each inscribed angle will 35°
measure 35°, which corresponds Literacy Link
to the field of view for Jamie’s A major arc is more
telephoto lens. Depending on than a semicircle. A
minor arc is less than a
access, and whether there are X 70° house
semicircle.
any trees or a garden in the way,
any point on the major arc that
is outside of the house will
work.

Show You Know

A flashlight has a field of view measuring 25°, and a camera has a field of
view measuring 50°. How can you position the camera and flashlight so
that the camera will capture the same area as the flashlight illuminates?

10.1 Exploring Angles in a Circle • MHR 381

 Key Ideas
• Inscribed angles subtended by the same arc D
Literacy Link
of a circle are equal. ∠DEB = ∠DAB
The identical
• A central angle is twice the measure of an C markings at the
inscribed angle subtended E B inscribed angles
by the same arc. ∠DCB = 2∠DAB ∠DEB and ∠DAB
indicate that the
• An inscribed angle is one half the measure A measures of these
of a central angle subtended angles are equal.
by the same arc. ∠DAB = __ 1 ∠DCB
2
• When the inscribed angle is subtended by
a diameter of the circle, the inscribed angle A
C B
is equal to 90°.

Check Your Understanding

Communicate the Ideas
1. In the diagram, ∠BDA measures half of ∠BCA. D
A
Does the rule for inscribed angles hold true for
∠BEA?Explain your reasoning.
? E
C

2. Manny constructed a circle using a compass. He used a straight edge to

draw a diameter. Then, he constructed an inscribed angle that shared
endpoints with the diameter. What is the measure of the inscribed angle
he constructed? How do you know?

Practise
For help with #3 to #5, refer to Example 1 on page 379. 4. a) What is the measure of ∠FJG? Explain
3. What are the measures of ∠ADB and your reasoning.
∠AEB? Justify your answers. b) What is the measure of ∠FCG? Justify
E your answer.
D
H
23°
C
B C
82° F
J

A G

382 MHR • Chapter 10

 5. Draw a circle with a central angle that 9. For a high school drama production, three
measures 60°. Draw and label the measure spotlights are positioned on an arc at the
of two inscribed angles that are subtended back of the theatre, just above the audience.
by the same arc as the central angle. Each spotlight projects light through an
angle of 22° and fills the rectangular front of
For help with #6 and #7, refer to Example 2 on page 380. the stage. Use a diagram to identify an ideal
6. Point C is the centre of the circle. location to take a photo of the performance
diameter AD = 17 cm using a camera with a lens that has a field of
chord BD = 15 cm view of 44°.

17 cm
A D
C
15 cm
B
a) What is the measure of ∠ABD? Explain.
b) What is the length of the chord AB?

7. The circle has centre C and a radius of 8 cm.

∠FEG = 45°.
E Apply
45° 38° B
10. In the diagram, C is
8 cm the centre of the circle
F C and ∠ABD = 38°. For
each of the following C
questions, justify your
G answer.
A
a) What is the measure of ∠FCG? a) What is the measure D
b) What is the length of the chord FG? of ∠ACD?
Express your answer to the nearest tenth b) What type of triangle is ACD?
of a centimetre. c) What is the measure of ∠CAD?

For help with #8 and #9, refer to Example 3 on page 381. 11. Point C is the centre F
25°
8. After a power outage, Jacob helps his of the circle and
mother by shining a flashlight beam at the ∠CFE = 25°. Justify
breaker panel while she locates the tripped each of your answers C
breakers. His flashlight projects light to the following G
through an angle of 15°, while his mother’s questions.
flashlight projects light through an angle of a) What is the measure E
30°. Use a diagram to show a good place for of ∠ECF?
Jacob to stand so that his flashlight will b) What is the measure
illuminate the same area of the breaker of ∠EGF?
panel as his mother’s flashlight does.

10.1 Exploring Angles in a Circle • MHR 383

12. If ∠KJM = 15°, ∠JML = 24°, and point C 15. Find the unknown angle measures, x and y,
is at the centre of the circle, what is the in each diagram. Where C is labelled, it is
measure of each of the following angles? the centre of the circle.
a) b) x
15°
C
J K
135° x y
C
24° y
M
L
c) d)
x
55°
y
a) ∠KLM b) ∠JKL C C
c) ∠JCL d) ∠KCM
xy

13. In the diagram, ∠BAD = 34° and 15°

∠ADE = 56°.
16. Design a geometry question involving a
B given central angle for which the answer is
A an inscribed angle measuring 30°. Include a
34°
diagram with your question.

G 17. A circle with centre C has a diameter AB.

56° D The inscribed angle ∠ADE measures 14°.
What are the measures of ∠ACE and ∠ABE?
E Draw a diagram.
a) What is the measure of ∠ABE?
Extend
b) What is the measure of ∠AGB?
c) What type of triangle is ABG? 18. Find the unknown angle measures, x and y,
in each diagram, given that C is the centre of
d) What is the measure of ∠DGE?
the circle.
a) b)
14. After looking at the diagram of the circle, 25°
Amanda decides to use the Pythagorean
relationship to calculate the length of y 190°
C
chord AB. Will this method work? Explain. C y
x 40°
D
x
55°

4m
A 4m

384 MHR • Chapter 10

19. A hole has a diameter 21. In the semicircle, ∠HBE = 27°. C is on the
of 20 cm. What is the diameter and is the midpoint of AB.
maximum side length 20 cm 27°
of a square that will fit C
B A
into the hole?
E

H G
20. For each of the following diagrams,
Determine the measure of each angle,
calculate the value of x. justifying your work mathematically.
a) B b)
E a) ∠BHA
3x - 16°
3x b) ∠BEH
4x + 2° C F c) ∠AEG
C E
A D d) ∠ACG
x + 18°
e) ∠BCG
D

a) Design a piece of art using one circle and any number of inscribed and central angles.
b) Describe how the angles and line segments in your design are related.

Tech Link
Inscribed and Central Angles
In this activity, you will use dynamic geometry
software to explore inscribed and central angles in a
circle. To use this activity, go to www.mathlinks9.ca
and follow the links.
Explore
1. a) What is the measure of the central angle?
b) What is the measure of the inscribed angle?
c) What is the measure of the minor arc BC?
2. Drag point A around the circle. What happens to
the measure of the two angles ∠BOC and ∠BAC?
Why does this happen?

3. Drag either point B or point C around the circle. Record at ∠BAC ∠BOC
least four measurements of the inscribed angle and the
central angle from different locations on the circle.

4. Describe any relationships between the central angle ∠BOC

and the inscribed angle ∠BAC subtended by the same arc.

10.1 Exploring Angles in a Circle • MHR 385

 10.2 Exploring Chord Properties
Focus on…
After this lesson, you
will be able to…
• describe the
relationship among
the centre of a circle,
a chord, and the
perpendicular
bisector of the chord

An archeologist found an edge piece of a broken Aztec medallion. If she

assumes it is circular, how might she determine the circumference of the
whole medallion?

Materials Explore Chords in a Circle

• compass
• tracing paper 1. Construct a large circle on tracing paper and draw two different chords.
• ruler
2. Construct the perpendicular bisector of each chord.
Literacy Link
What methods
A perpendicular bisector 3. Label the point inside the circle where the two could you use to do
passes through the perpendicular bisectors intersect. this construction?
midpoint of a line
segment at 90°.
4. Share your construction method with another classmate.

Reflect and Check

Web Link
5. a) What do you notice about the point of
intersection of the two perpendicular You may wish to
explore these geometric
bisectors in step 3? properties on a
b) Do you think that this will be true for any computer. Go to
chord and any circle? How could you test www.mathlinks9.ca
your prediction? and follow the links.

6. How could the archeologist use perpendicular bisectors

to determine the circumference of the Aztec medallion?

386 MHR • Chapter 10

Link the Ideas
You can use properties related to chords in a circle to solve problems.

Perpendicular Bisector of a Chord

A line that passes through the centre of a circle and is perpendicular to a
chord bisects the chord.

Example 1: Bisect a Chord With a Radius

Radius CD bisects chord AB. Chord AB measures
8 cm. The radius of the circle is 5 cm. What is the
length of line segment CE? Justify your solution. C

A E
B

Solution
Since CD is a radius that bisects the Strategies
chord AB, then CD is perpendicular Organize, Analyse,
to AB and ∠AEC = 90°. C Solve
5 cm
The length of AE is 4 cm because CD bisects
the 8-cm chord AB. The radius AC is 5 cm. A E
4 cm B
Using the Pythagorean relationship in ACE,
CE2 + AE2 = AC2 D
CE2 + 42 = 52
CE2 + 16 = 25
CE2 = 9 __
CE = √9
CE = 3
Therefore, CE measures 3 cm. This is the shortest distance from the
chord AB to the centre of the circle.

Show You Know

Radius CH bisects chord FG. Chord FG measures H
12 cm. The radius of the circle measures 10 cm. F
J G
What is the length of CJ?
C

10.2 Exploring Chord Properties • MHR 387

 Example 2: Use Chord Properties to Solve Problems
Louise would like to drill a hole in the
centre of a circular table in order to insert
a sun umbrella. Use a diagram to explain
how she could locate the centre.

Solution
Did You Know? Draw two chords. Locate the midpoint of
A carpenter’s square is each chord. Use a carpenter’s square to
used in construction
draw the perpendicular bisectors of each
to draw and confirm
right angles. chord. Locate the point of intersection of
the two perpendicular bisectors. The point
of intersection is the centre of the table.

Show You Know

Mark would like to plant a cherry tree in
the centre of a circular flower bed. Explain
how he could identify the exact centre
using circle properties.

Key Ideas
• The perpendicular bisector of a chord passes through the centre of
the circle.
C
• The perpendicular bisectors of two distinct chords intersect at the
centre of the circle.
• If a bisector of a chord in a circle passes through the centre, then the
bisector is perpendicular to the chord.
• If a line passes through the centre of a circle and intersects a chord at
right angles, then the line bisects the chord.
• The shortest path between the centre of a circle and a chord is a line
that is perpendicular to the chord.

388 MHR • Chapter 10

Check Your Understanding
Communicate the Ideas
1. Describe how you know that the diameter of
the circle forms a right angle with the chord
C
at their point of intersection.

2. Explain how you could locate the centre of the

circle using the two chords shown.

3. Amonte was explaining the properties of perpendicular

bisectors to his friend Darius.
“There are three important properties of perpendicular
bisectors of chords in circles:
• The line bisector cuts the chord in two equal line segments.
• The line intersects the chord at right angles; they are perpendicular.
• The line passes through the centre so it contains the diameter.
If any two of these properties are present, then the third property exists.”
Is Amonte’s explanation correct? What does he mean by the last
statement?

Practise
For help with #4 and #5, refer to Example 1 on page 387. 5. The radius CF bisects chord HJ. CG
4. CD bisects chord AB. The radius of the measures 4 mm. Chord HJ measures 14 mm.
circle is 15 cm long. Chord AB measures What is the radius of the circle, expressed to
24 cm. What is the length of CE? Explain the nearest tenth of a millimetre? Justify
your reasoning. your answer.
H

F
G
C
C

A E J
B

10.2 Exploring Chord Properties • MHR 389

For help with #6, refer to Example 2 on page 388. 9. Calculate the unknown length, x. Give each
6. Hannah wants to draw a circular target on answer to the nearest tenth.
her trampoline. Explain, using diagrams, a) b)
how she could locate the centre of the x 9
trampoline.
C 10
3 C x
6

10. The circular cross section of a water pipe

contains some water in the bottom. The
horizontal distance across the surface of the
water is 34 cm. The inner diameter of the
pipe is 50 cm. What is the maximum depth
of the water? Express your answer to the
nearest centimetre.

Apply
7. The radius of the circle is 17 m. The radius
CD is perpendicular to the chord AB. Their
point of intersection, E, is 8 m from the
centre C. What is the length of the chord
AB? Explain your reasoning.
34 cm
A
50 cm

8m C
D E 11. If you know that the radius CD = 5 cm, and
17 m
BC = 3 cm, what is the area of ABD?
D
B
5 cm
8. The radius of the circle is 11.1 cm, the
radius CM is perpendicular to the chord LK, C
and MQ measures 3.4 cm. What is the
length of the chord LK? Express your A B E
answer to the nearest tenth of a centimetre.
M
L
K 12. A circle has a diameter of 50 mm. A chord is
Q
14 mm long. What is the shortest distance
from the centre of the circle, C, to the
C chord? Include a diagram with your
solution.

390 MHR • Chapter 10

13. How could you locate the centre of a regular 16. Point E is the midpoint of the chord MP. HJ
octagonal table using chord properties? is a diameter of the circle. C is the centre of
Include a diagram in your explanation. the circle, and ∠HCP = 130°.

130°
P
C
E

J
M
Determine the following angle measures.
Justify your answers.
a) ∠HMP b) ∠HEM
c) ∠MHJ d) ∠MPJ
e) ∠PCE f) ∠CPE
14. Your classmate used a compass to draw
a circle with a radius of 8 cm. He felt the 17. A helicopter pilot surveys the water level
circle was inaccurate and tore it into small in an aqueduct in a remote section of the
pieces. How could you use the following country. From the air, the pilot measures the
piece to check his accuracy? horizontal width of the water to be 7.3 m.
The aqueduct is a hemisphere and has an
inner diameter of 12 m. What is the depth
of the water? Express your answer to the
nearest tenth of a metre.

15. In this circle, the diameter AE = 20 cm,

the chord DE = 16 cm, AF = 5 cm, and
∠BFE = 90°.
D

16 cm
A F
C E

Determine the following measures and

justify your answers. Express lengths
to the nearest tenth of a centimetre.
a) ∠ADE b) AD
c) DF d) BD

10.2 Exploring Chord Properties • MHR 391

18. Gavyn was asked to find the length of the Extend
chord AB. He was told that the radius of the
20. a) How do you know that FGH is a right
circle is 13 cm, radius CD is perpendicular
to chord AB, and chord AB is 5 cm from the triangle?
3x + 2°
centre C.
H
A G

D C
E
x

B
F
Determine the mistakes that Gavyn made
b) Solve for x algebraically and determine
and find the correct length of AB.
the measures of both acute angles in
Gavyn’s Solution A FGH.
Draw the radius AC,
5 cm
which is the hypotenuse of 21. Line segment OC is a bisector of chords AB
D C
right triangle ∆AEC. E and DE. If O is the centre of the circle on
By the Pythagorean relationship, the left and C is the centre of the circle on
EC2 + AC2 = AE2 B the right, explain how you know that AB is
132 + 52 = AE2 parallel to DE.
169 + 25 = AE2
194 = AE___
2

AE = √ 194 A
AE ≈ 13.9
Since CD is a radius and it is perpendicular to AB, then O D
CD bisects the chord AB.
AB ≈ 2 X 13.9
AB ≈ 27.8
Therefore, AB is approximately 27.8 m. B C
E

19. Some plastic tubing is moulded with an

I-beam on the inside to provide extra
strength. The length of each of two parallel
chords is 10 mm, and the perpendicular
distance between these two chords is
12 mm. What is the diameter of the circular
tubing? Express your answer to the nearest
tenth of a millimetre.

392 MHR • Chapter 10

The North American Plains Indians and Tibetan
Buddhists create mandalas. A mandala is a piece
of art framed within a circle. The design draws the
viewer's eyes to the centre of the circle. Mandalas
have spiritual significance for their creators. The
photo shows a Buddhist monk using coloured sand
to create a mandala.
a) Refer to the portion of the sand mandala shown
in the picture. Design a mandala with a similar
pattern but your own design. For example, you
could create a mandala to celebrate the work of
a famous mathematician. Your design should
show only part of the mandala.
b) If you want to display your mandala, you will need to know how much room
the entire design will take up. What is a reasonable estimate for the Web Link
circumference of your mandala? Explain your reasoning. For more information
about sand mandalas, go
c) How do you think the monks ensure symmetry in their mandalas? How could to www.mathlinks9.ca
you use your knowledge of circle properties to help you? and follow the links.

Tech Link
Perpendicular Lines to a Chord
In this activity, you will use dynamic geometry
software to explore perpendicular lines from the
centre of a circle to a chord. To use this activity, go
to www.mathlinks9.ca and follow the links.

Explore
1. a) What is the measure of ∠OCB?
b) What is the measure of line segment AC?
c) What is the measure of line segment BC?
2. Drag point A to another location on the circle.
a) Describe what happens to the measure of
∠OCB when you drag point A to a
different location on the circle.
b) What happens to the measures of the line segments AC and BC? Explain.
3. Drag point B around the circle.
a) What effect does this have on the measure of ∠OCB?
b) What effect does this have on the lengths of line segment AC and line segment BC?
4. What conclusions can you make about ∠OCB, the angle formed by the segment from
the centre of the circle to the midpoint of the chord?

5. What conclusions can you make about the relationship between line segment
AC and line segment BC?

10.2 Exploring Chord Properties • MHR 393

 10.3 Tangents to a Circle
Focus on…
After this lesson, you
will be able to…
• relate tangent lines
to the radius of the
circle.

When a car turns, the wheels are at different angles in relation to the car.
Each wheel is turning through its own circle. What is the relationship
between the four circles where the tires turn?

Materials Explore Circles and Their Tangents wheels turn

• Turning Circle diagram at different
1. Find the midpoint of each line segment
angles
• protractor that represents a tire.
• ruler
2. Draw a perpendicular line from each
midpoint toward the inside of the
tangent (to a circle) turning circle.
• a line that touches a
circle at exactly one Reflect and Check
point
• the point where the line 3. What do you notice about the intersection of these perpendicular lines?
touches the circle is
called the point of 4. a) Each wheel of a car travels through a
tangency Web Link
different circular path. What do these
tangent line
circles have in common? You may wish to
explore these geometric
b) Based on your observations, what is the
O properties on a
point of measure of the angle between a tangent computer. Go to
tangency to a circle and the radius at the point www.mathlinks9.ca
of tangency? and follow the links.

394 MHR • Chapter 10

Link the Ideas
You can use properties of tangents to a circle to solve problems.

Tangent to a Circle
A tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius at the point of
tangency.

Tangent Chord Relationship

A chord drawn perpendicular to a tangent at the point of tangency
contains the centre of the circle, and is a diameter.

Example 1: Determine Angle Measures in a Circle With a

Tangent Line
In the diagram shown, AB is tangent to the circle at point D, BE contains
the diameter FE, and ∠ABE = 50°.
A D 50°
B
F

a) What is the measure of ∠BDC? Justify your answer.

b) What is the measure of central angle ∠DCE? Explain your reasoning.
c) What type of triangle is CDE? Justify your answer.
d) What is the measure of ∠DEC? Explain your reasoning.

Solution
a) Since AB is tangent to the circle at point D, then radius CD is
perpendicular to line segment AB. Therefore, ∠BDC = 90°.

b) The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180°.

In BCD, ∠DCB = 180° - 90° - 50°
∠DCB = 40° Literacy Link
Since ∠DCE and ∠DCB form a straight line, they are supplementary. Supplementary angles
add to 180°.
∠DCE + ∠DCB = 180°
∠DCE + 40° = 180°
∠DCE = 180° - 40°
∠DCE = 140°

c) Triangle CDE is an isosceles triangle because CD and CE are radii of

the circle and radii are equal in length.

10.3 Tangents to a Circle • MHR 395

 d) Method 1: Use Angles in a Triangle
The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180°. ∠DCE = 140°. Since
CDE is an isosceles triangle, then the angles opposite the equal sides
1 × 40° or 20°.
are equal. ∠DEC = __
2
∠DEC = 20°.
Method 2: Use Inscribed Angles
∠DEF is the same as ∠DEC because the points F and C lie on the same
line. This is an inscribed angle subtended by the same arc as the central
angle, ∠DCF. Since an inscribed angle is one half the measure of a
central angle subtended by the same arc, then ∠DEC = __ 1 × 40° or 20°.
2
∠DEC = 20°

Show You Know

Line segment AF is tangent to the circle at D
point E. Line segment DF contains the diameter
DB, and ∠CFE = 34°. What are the measures of
angles ∠CEF, ∠ECF, and ∠EDF? Explain your A
reasoning. C
E
B
34°

Example 2: Use the Tangent Chord Relationship

In the diagram, AB is tangent to the circle at point B. BD is a diameter of
the circle. AB = 7 mm, AD = 25 mm, and BCE is an equilateral triangle.
D

25 mm C

A B
7 mm

a) What is the length of diameter BD? Justify your answer.

b) What is the length of chord BE? Explain your reasoning.
c) What is the measure of the inscribed angle ∠BED?
d) What is the length of chord DE? Justify your answer and express
your answer to the nearest millimetre.

396 MHR • Chapter 10

Solution
a) Diameter BD is perpendicular to tangent AB because B is the point of Strategies
tangency on the circle. Therefore, ∠ABD = 90° and ABD is a right Organize, Analyse,
triangle. Solve
Use the Pythagorean relationship in ABD.
AB2 + BD2 = AD2
72 + BD2 = 252
49 + BD2 = 625
BD2 = 576
____
BD = √576
BD = 24
The length of diameter BD is 24 mm.

b) BC and CE are radii of the circle. Since BCE is an equilateral triangle,

side BE is equal the length of the radius, or one half of the diameter.
1 (24) = 12
__
2
The length of chord BE is 12 mm

c) The inscribed angle ∠BED is subtended by a diameter, so it is a right

angle. ∠BED = 90°.
The inscribed angle ∠BED = 90°.

d) Use the Pythagorean relationship in BDE.

BE2 + DE2 = BD2
122 + DE2 = 242
144 + DE2 = 576
DE2 = 576 - 144
DE2 = 432
____
DE = √432
DE ≈ 21
The length of chord DE is 21 mm, to the nearest millimetre.

Show You Know

In the diagram shown, PQ is tangent to the R
circle at point Q. QR is a diameter of the circle.
Line segment PQ = 9 mm, PR = 41 mm, and
QCS is an equilateral triangle.
a) What is the length of diameter QR? Justify your C 41 mm
answer.
b) What is the length of chord QS? Explain your S
reasoning. Q P
9 mm
c) What is the length of chord RS? Justify your answer
and express your answer to the nearest millimetre.

10.3 Tangents to a Circle • MHR 397

 Example 3: Solve Problems With Tangents to Circles
Science Link
An object that is A speed skater is practising
moving in a circular on a circular track with a
path will move in a radius of 40 m. He falls and
straight line tangent to slides off the track in a line
that circle if the force tangent to the circle. If he
pulling the object
toward the centre is
slides 22 m, how far is he
suddenly removed. from the centre of the rink?
This force is known as Express your answer to the
centripetal force. nearest tenth of a metre.
Include a diagram in your
explanation.

Solution
In the diagram, the speed skater fell at B
point A and slid to point B. 22 m

Since the line segment AB is tangent to the circle, A 40 m C

then it will be perpendicular to radius AC. The
Pythagorean relationship can be used to calculate
the distance BC, which represents how far the
speed skater is from the centre of the rink.
BC2 = AB2 + AC2
Sports Link BC2 = 222 + 402
Jeremy Wotherspoon BC2 = 484 + 1600
from Red Deer, BC2 = 2084
_____
Alberta, is one of
Canada’s best speed
BC = √2084
skaters. He has set BC ≈ 45.7
several records at the
500-m distance.
After sliding 22 m, the speed skater is approximately 45.7 m from the
centre of the rink.

Show You Know

Callan is attempting to land his model airplane when the wire breaks
just before touchdown. If the length of the control wire is 10 m and the
plane stops at a location 74 m from Callan, how far does the plane
travel after the wire breaks. Express your answer to the nearest tenth of
a metre.

398 MHR • Chapter 10

 Key Ideas
• A line that touches a circle at exactly one point is tangent to
the circle. C
• Point A is known as the point of tangency.
• A line l that is tangent to a circle at point A is perpendicular to
the radius AC. A l
• A chord drawn perpendicular to a tangent line at the point of
tangency contains the centre of the circle, and is a diameter.

Check Your Understanding

Communicate the Ideas
1. Raven and Elliott are discussing the
diagram shown. C A
Elliott claims that line segment AB is a tangent to
the circle because it touches the circle in one place.
Raven disagrees. Who is correct, and why? B

2. If BC is a radius of the circle, is AB tangent to the

circle? Explain how you know.
C

85°
A
B
Practise
For help with #3 and #4, refer to Example 1 on 4. Line segment JK is 10° G
pages 395–396. tangent to the circle
3. In the diagram, AB is A at point H. GH is a
tangent to the circle at E diameter and
point D, BE contains ∠CGL = 10°. C
the diameter EF, and D
C Justify your answers
∠ABE = 60°. 60° L
to the following K
F J H
Explain your reasoning B questions.
when answering each of a) What type of triangle is CGL?
the following questions. b) What is the measure of ∠GCL?
a) What is the measure of ∠BDC?
c) What is the measure of ∠JCH?
b) What is the measure of central angle
d) What is the measure of ∠JHG?
∠DCE?
e) What is the measure of ∠CJK?
c) What type of triangle is CDE?
d) What is the measure of ∠DEC?

10.3 Tangents to a Circle • MHR 399

For help with #5 and #6, refer to Example 2 on pages 396–397. For help with #7, refer to Example 3 on page 398.
5. In the diagram, AB is tangent to the circle 7. A dog is tied on a leash to the clothesline
at point B. BD is a diameter of the circle, pole in the backyard. The leash is 5 m long
AB = 6 m, AD = 10 m, and BCE is an and the pole is a perpendicular distance of
equilateral triangle. 5 m from the edge of the house. What is
the distance from the pole to the cat door?
D
How close to the cat door can the dog get?
Express your answers to the nearest tenth
of a metre.
10 m C
16 m
E back of house
cat
A 6m B door
pole
Justify your answers to the following
questions.
a) What is the length of the diameter BD?
b) What is the length of chord BE? Apply
c) What is the measure of the inscribed
8. Find the length of x in each diagram. Line l
angle ∠BED? is tangent to the circle. Express your answer
d) What is the length of chord DE, to the to the nearest tenth, where necessary.
nearest metre? a) l

6. In the diagram, FG is tangent to the circle

at point G. GH is a diameter, CJ = 5 mm, 15 m
FG = 7 mm, and CGJ is an equilateral
triangle.
8m
G x
7 mm J
F 5 mm

C
b)

H
a) What is the length of the diameter?
Justify your answer. x
20 cm
b) Is GHJ a right triangle? Justify your
answer.
l
c) What is the length of chord HJ? Explain 16 cm
your reasoning. Express your answer to
the nearest tenth of a millimetre.
d) What is the measure of angle ∠FGH?
Justify your answer.
e) What is the length of FH? Explain your
reasoning. Express your answer to the
nearest tenth of a millimetre.

400 MHR • Chapter 10

 9. Find the measure of the angle θ in each 12. In the diagram, ABD is an isosceles
diagram. Line l is tangent to the circle. triangle. AD is a tangent to the circle at
a) point D, and BD is a diameter of the circle.
F
D

55° C
␪

l
A E B
b)
Justify your answers for each question.
a) What is the measure of ∠ADB?
␪ 74°
b) What is the measure of ∠DBE?
c) What is the measure of ∠DFE?

l
13. Answer each question, given the following
information.
J
Literacy Link
l
The Greek letter θ is theta. It is often used to indicate the
measure of an unknown angle.
C G H

10. Both circles are identical in size. They are

M
tangent to each other and to line l.
K

• The line l is tangent to the circle at point H.

O C • The line l is parallel to the chord JK.
• The radius of the circle measures 9.1 cm.
• The chord JK measures 17 cm.
Explain your reasoning for each answer.
R K l
a) What is the measure of ∠CHM?
a) What type of quadrilateral is ROCK?
b) What is the measure of ∠CGJ?
Explain your reasoning.
c) What is the length of JG?
b) If the radius of each circle is 5 cm, what
is the perimeter of ROCK? d) What is the length of CG? Express
your answer to the nearest tenth of
11. Line segment AB is tangent to a circle at
a centimetre.
point A. The diameter AD of the circle is
7.3 cm. If the length of AB is 4.2 cm,
determine the length of BD. Include a
diagram in your solution. Express your
answer to the nearest tenth of a centimetre.

10.3 Tangents to a Circle • MHR 401

14. If JG is a tangent to the circle, what is the 17. Two concentric circles have their centres at
value of x and and the measure of ∠JGH? point C. The radius of the smaller circle is
8 cm. The length of chord AB is 26 cm and
J is tangent to the smaller circle. What is the
circumference of the larger circle? Express
C your answer to the nearest centimetre.

5x - 2° A
G 2x + 15°
H
C

15. Line l is tangent to the circle as shown. Use

B
properties of inscribed and central angles to
find the value of angle θ. Explain your
18. Three congruent circles are tangent to one
reasoning.
another as shown. Circle A is tangent to
both the x-axis and the y-axis. Circle B is
tangent to the x-axis. The centre of circle A
85° has coordinates (2, 2). What are the
140° coordinates of the centres of circles B and C?
y

␪
l
C

16. The aerial picture represents farmland. The A B

circular green areas represent fields that are
0 x
watered using a centre-pivot watering
system. Design a question and solution using
the relationship between tangents and radii Extend
of circles.
19. A steel centre square is used in woodwork
to locate the centre of a wooden cylinder.
Sketch the picture in your notebook and
identify the edge(s) that most closely
resemble a tangent to a circle. How do you
think the centre square is used to locate the
centre of the cylinder?

402 MHR • Chapter 10

20. Two poles with radii of 18 cm and 7 cm are 22. A length of chain is attached to a suncatcher
connected by a single metal band joining with a diameter of 20 cm. The chain is
their centres and points of their outer edges. attached at points E and B such that the
This is shown below. Determine the length segments BD and ED are tangent to the
of the metal band that is needed, if AB is circle. What is the total length of chain
tangent to both poles. needed to hang the suncatcher on a nail
B at point D? Show your reasoning.
D
60 cm 18 cm

A
C
7 cm
O
24 cm

21. A rubber ball with a diameter of 6 cm is

found on a frozen pond with only 2 cm E
sticking above the ice surface at its highest B
point. What is the circumference of the circle C
where the ball touches the ice surface?
Express your answer to the nearest tenth
of a centimetre.

a) Design a piece of art or a company logo using at least one circle. Incorporate at least one
tangent. Remember that two circles can be tangent to each other.
b) Determine the measures of any chords, radii, diameters, or tangent lines in your design.

Tech Link
Tangents to a Circle
In this activity, you will use dynamic geometry
software to explore tangent lines to a circle. To
use this activity, go to www.mathlinks9.ca and
follow the links.
Explore
1. What is the measure of ∠BAC?
2. a) Describe what happens to the measure of
∠BAC as you drag point A to different
locations on the circle.
b) What conclusion can you make?

10.3 Tangents to a Circle • MHR 403

 Chapter 10 Review
Key Words 7. Parmjeet explains that if an inscribed angle
in a circle has a measure of 13.5°, the
Unscramble the letters for each puzzle in #1 to #4.
central angle subtended by the same arc
Use the clues to help you solve the puzzles.
will also measure 13.5°. Do you agree
1. I R U S D A with her thinking? Why or why not?
the distance from the centre to any point
on the circle 8. What is the measure of each central angle on
2. I S C B D E I N R E A G L N
the dartboard?
an angle formed by two chords that share
a common endpoint
3. R O C H D
a line segment that has both endpoints on
the same circle
4. C R P P D E E N L A U R I S I T C R O B E
a line or line segment that passes through
the midpoint of a line segment at 90°

10.1 Exploring Angles in a Circle,

pages 378–385
9. What is the measure
5. Determine the measure of each angle.
of ∠EFG? G
a) ∠ABD
C
b) ∠ACD
A B F
C E

D E
24°
10. What is the measure A B
of ∠BAD in the 62°
semicircle?
6. What are the measures of unknown angles x
D
and y?
96°
10.2 Exploring Chord Properties,
pages 386–393
C 11. Explain how you know
x
that the line l must pass
y through the centre of the
circle.

404 MHR • Chapter 10

12. Andrea tries to 17. If AB is tangent to
find the centre of the circle at B,
a wooden table what is the length
top by placing a of the radius? 15 mm C
string across the
top and finding
its midpoint. She A 9 mm B
misses the centre
by 1 cm. What 18. Jasmine was flying a remote-control airplane
went wrong? How might she have found the in a circle with a radius of 50 m. The signal
centre more accurately? was lost by the airplane which then flew
along a tangent from the circle until it
13. What is the length of crashed 140 m from Jasmine’s location.
chord AE? Explain How far did the airplane travel horizontally
how you determined along the tangent? Include a diagram in
your answer. C your answer. Calculate the distance to the
26 m nearest metre.
10 m
A E
B

14. Archaeologists have found

a broken piece of a wagon
wheel as shown. Show how
they can determine the
circumference of the entire
wheel from this broken
piece.

15. If chord FG has a length F 19. Line segment AF is D

of 18 cm and the diameter tangent to the circle at
of the circle is 22 cm, what E, and ∠AFD = 48°.
is the shortest distance C C
Find the measure of A
between FG and the centre each angle. Justify your
of the circle? Express your answers. E B
answer to the nearest tenth G a) ∠CEF b) ∠ECF
of a centimetre. 48° F
c) ∠ECD d) ∠DEC
e) ∠AED f) ∠EDB
10.3 Tangents to a Circle, pages 394–403
16. What is the measure D G
E 20. Line segment AB is
of ∠FCG if DE is 43°
tangent to the circle
tangent to the circle?
C
at E. Determine the C
measure of the D B
requested angles. 21°
F E
a) ∠ACE
F
b) ∠CAB A

Chapter 10 Review • MHR 405

Chapter 10 Practice Test
For #1 and #2, choose the best answer. 4. If AB is tangent to the circle, the measure of
1. Which statement is true? ∠BCD is .
A A central angle is smaller than an A
inscribed angle subtended by the E
same arc.
B Two inscribed angles are never equal D C
in size. 54°
C An inscribed angle subtended by a F
B
diameter of the circle is always 90°.
D An inscribed angle in a semicircle can
be larger than 90°. Short Answer
5. What is the length of radius x? Express your
2. What is the measure of the inscribed angle? answer to the nearest tenth of a centimetre.
A 25° B 50°
C 100° D 200°

x
13 cm
C
100°
l
9 cm

25°
6. Find the measure of angle θ. Line l is tangent
Complete the statements in #3 and #4. to the circle.
3. The length of EF is .

8 mm
E F ␪
13 mm 39° l

406 MHR • Chapter 10

Extended Response 9. The Namdaemun gate, a two-storey,
7. What are the measures of ∠ADB and pagoda-style wooden building on a stone
∠ACB? Explain your reasoning. base, was Korea’s premier national treasure.
This 600-year-old structure in Seoul was
41°
E destroyed in a fire in 2008.
D

8. The diagram represents the water level in a

pipe. The surface of the water from one side
of the pipe to the other measures 20 mm,
To rebuild the gate, square beams were cut
and the inner diameter of the pipe is 34 mm.
from logs. What is the largest dimension of
What is the shortest distance from the centre
square that can be cut from a log with a
of the pipe to the water level, rounded to the
diameter of 40 cm?
nearest millimetre? Explain your reasoning.

34 mm

20 mm

Design a piece of art or a logo using at least two circles.

• Incorporate each circle property that you have studied into your design,
and label where you use these properties.
• You may wish to use some or all of the designs that you created in the
Math Link revisits throughout the chapter.

Chapter 10 Practice Test • MHR 407