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GCSE Maths · Higher · Chapter 20: Properties of circles · Lesson 1

Circle theorems

Grades 5–8About 45 minutesNo calculator35 marks
Hints online, answers free with an account:
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NameClassDate
A

Do Now

Grades 4–6

The first question is what today's lesson needs. The others bring back earlier topics.

  1. A1
    Needed today

    Angles on a straight line are and . Find .

    [1 mark]
    Answer
  2. A2
    From chapter 16

    Rationalise the denominator of .

    [1 mark]
    Answer
  3. A3
    From chapter 18

    30 fish are tagged. Later 40 are caught and 2 are tagged. Estimate the population.

    [1 mark]
    Answer
  4. A4
    From chapter 18

    A cumulative frequency graph shows 60 values. At what cumulative frequency do you read the median?

    [1 mark]
    Answer
B

Example, then your turn

Grades 5–7

Your teacher works through each example with you. Then try the one beside it.

Example 1

is the centre of the circle. Angle . Work out angle .

OABC124°
Not drawn accurately
Hint The angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference.
  1. B1

    is the centre of the circle. Angle . Work out angle . Give a reason for your answer.

    [2 marks]
    OABC47°
    Not drawn accurately
    Answer
Example 2

is a cyclic quadrilateral. Work out angle .

ABCD(2x + 20)°3x°
Not drawn accurately
Hint Opposite angles add up to .
  1. B2

    is a cyclic quadrilateral. Work out angle .

    [3 marks]
    PQRS5y°(y + 18)°
    Not drawn accurately
    Answer
C

Practice

Grades 5–7
  1. C1

    is the centre. Work out angle .

    [3 marks]
    OABC32°
    Not drawn accurately
    Answer
  2. C2

    Work out angle . Give a reason for your answer.

    [2 marks]
    ABCD29°
    Not drawn accurately
    Answer
  1. C3

    is the centre. Work out the reflex angle .

    [2 marks]
    OABC109°?
    Not drawn accurately
    Answer
  2. C4

    is the centre. Work out the value of .

    [3 marks]
    OABC(5x − 10)°(2x + 3)°
    Not drawn accurately
    Answer
D

Exam-style questions

Grades 6–8
  1. D1

    Ali draws a quadrilateral with angle and angle . He says, "I can draw a circle that passes through , , and ."

    Explain why Ali is wrong.

    [2 marks]
  1. D2

    , and are points on a circle with centre . is a diameter. Prove that angle . You must give a reason for each stage of your working.

    [4 marks]
    OABC
    Not drawn accurately
  2. D3

    is a diameter of the circle with centre . is a straight line.

    EOABCD26°41°
    Not drawn accurately
    (a)

    Write down angle . Give a reason for your answer.

    [2 marks]
    Answer
    (b)

    Work out angle . You must show your working.

    [3 marks]
    Answer
    (c)

    Work out angle . Give a reason for your answer.

    [2 marks]
    Answer
    Total for D3: 7 marks
E

Extension

Grade 8 and beyond

No route is given. The hints are at the end of the sheet. Use one at a time.

  1. E1

    , and are vertices of a regular polygon whose vertices all lie on the circle. is next to . Angle . How many sides has the polygon?

    [3 marks]
    ABC12°
    Not drawn accurately
    Hint 1 · What to try

    Join and to the centre . Find angle .

    Hint 2 · The first line

    Angle (angle at the centre).

    Hint 3 · The full method

    Each side makes at the centre, and these add up to .

    Answer
F

How did it go?

Colour one circle on each line.
Not yetNearlyYes
I can use the angle at the centre and the angle in a semicircle.
I can use cyclic quadrilaterals and angles in the same segment.
I can prove a circle theorem, with reasons.

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