Angles on the Circumference: Cases and How to Calculate

The studies referring to angles on the circumference helped and still help the plane geometry. With applications in astronomy and in other areas of knowledge, this study was deepened and developed different relationships and properties for each of the cases. The cases are:

  • central angle;
  • inscribed angle;
  • inner angle;
  • internal eccentric angle;
  • external eccentric angle;
  • segment angle.

For each case, there are specific properties that relate the arc of the circle to the angle.

Read too: What are the differences between circle and circumference?

Angles on the circle are studied by plane geometry.
Angles on the circle are studied by plane geometry.

elements of the circle

THE circumference has important elements for understanding this geometric shape. We know as a circle the set of points that are equidistant from the point C, known as the center.

C → center

r → radius

In addition to the center and radius, the circumference also has as an important element the rope, which are the segments that connect one end of the circle to the other.

AB and DE are circumference strings.
AB and DE are circumference strings.

When this string passes through the center, it is known as diameter. The diameter of a circle has a length equal to the length of two radii and is a special case of rope.

EF is the diameter of the circumference.
EF is the diameter of the circumference.

Circumference angle cases

The studies of angles on the circumference they relate the arcs formed by the angles to the angle itself.

Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)

  • center angle

Occurs when the angle is at the center of the circle. When this happens, we can say that the central angle amplitude equals arc amplitude.

Example:

Calculate the value of arc d.

Since the central angle is equal to 50°, the amplitude of the arc denoted by d is also 50°.

See too: How to find the center of a circle?

  • Angle inscribed on the circumference

An angle is known as an inscribed when its vertex is a point on the circumference. When this occurs, the amplitude of the arc is equal to half the angle measurement.

Example:

Calculate the value of α in the image.

The arc is equal to twice the angle, that is, to find the value of α, just divide 72 by 2.

α = 72º: 2

α = 36º

  • Inner eccentric angle

An angle is known as an inner eccentric. when it's not at the center of the circumference, but it is located on the inner part of the circle and cannot be an inscribed angle. When this happens, we can define two arcs. The angle will be the arithmetic average between them, that is, the sum divided by two.

Example:

Calculate the value of the angle α on the circle knowing that C is not the center of the circle.

Also access: How to build circumscribed polygons?

  • External eccentric angle

We know as external eccentric the angle that is outside the circumference. When this happens, it forms two arcs, and the angle value is calculated by half the difference between the larger arc and the smaller arc.

Example:

Calculate the value of angle α.

  • segment angles

The angle is known as the segment angle when it is shaped by a tangent line segment à circumference and the other not. When this occurs, the angle is equal to half of the arc.

Example:

What is the value of the angle α on the following circle?

Analyzing the image, we know that the angle α is equal to half of the arc, that is, half of 120º, so α = 60º.

See too: Calculations and formula of the reduced equation of the circle

solved exercises

Question 1 - We can say that the value of the angle BÂC in the following triangle is:

A) 60th

B) 65th

C) 70th

D) 75th

E) 90º

Resolution

Alternative B.

Analyzing the circle, the arc formed by the points AB has an amplitude equal to the half circle, or that is, 180°. Since angle C is inscribed, then it corresponds to half of 180°, so angle C is equal to 90º.

The sum of the triangle's internal angles is always equal to 180º, so we have to:

25º + BÂC + 90º = 180º

BÂC = 180º - 90º - 25º

BÂC = 90º - 25º

BAC = 65º

Question 2 - Calculate the value of x on the following circle.

A) 10

B) 15th

C) 20th

D) 40th

E) 45th

Resolution

Alternative C.

Knowing that AÔB is the central angle and that it corresponds to the value of the arc, then we have to:

2x + 5th = 45th

2x = 45th - 5th

2x = 40th

x = 40º: 2

x = 20th

By Raul Rodrigues de Oliveira
Maths teacher

Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:

OLIVEIRA, Raul Rodrigues de. "Angles on the circumference"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/matematica/angulos-no-circulo.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.

Inverse Matrix Calculation: properties and examples

Inverse Matrix Calculation: properties and examples

The inverse matrix or invertible matrix is ​​a type of square matrix, that is, it has the same nu...

read more
Comparing decimal numbers. Comparison of decimal numbers.

Comparing decimal numbers. Comparison of decimal numbers.

Remember how decimal numbers are expressed? No? Remind the subject by reading the article Decimal...

read more
Enhancement Properties - Part I

Enhancement Properties - Part I

We know that mathematics uses symbols to simplify the writing of many sentences. Potentiation is ...

read more