14.1 Circle Angles, Chords, Tangents, Power of a Point (Kuvvet) & Sector/Annulus Area

Key Takeaways

  • A central angle equals its intercepted arc (alpha = m(arc AB)), whereas an inscribed angle and a tangent-chord angle each equal half of their intercepted arc (alpha = m(arc AB) / 2); any inscribed angle subtending a diameter is 90 degrees

  • Under the Two-Tangent Hat Rule (Kulah Kurali), two tangents drawn from an external point P to a circle satisfy m(angle APB) + m(minor arc AB) = 180 degrees, and opposite interior angles of a cyclic quadrilateral (kirisler dortgeni) sum to 180 degrees

  • Dropping a perpendicular from the center O to a chord AB bisects the chord and creates a right triangle with the radius: R^2 = d^2 + (|AB|/2)^2

  • Power of a Point (Cemberde Kuvvet) unifies intersecting chords (|PA| * |PB| = |PC| * |PD|), exterior secants (near * whole), and tangent-secant configurations (|PT|^2 = |PA| * |PB|)

  • A circular sector of arc length |arc AB| and radius R has area (1/2) * |arc AB| * R, and an annulus (halka) whose inner circle is tangent to an outer chord AB has area pi * (|AB|/2)^2

Last updated: October 2026

14.1 Circle Angles, Chords, Tangents, Power of a Point (Kuvvet) & Sector/Annulus Area


1. Circle Angles (Çemberde Açılar)

A full circle measures 360∘360^\circ. Every angle associated with a circle is determined by the degree measure of the arc(s) it intercepts.

Central, Inscribed, and Tangent-Chord Angles

  1. Central Angle (Merkez Açı): Has its vertex at the center OO of the circle. Its measure is equal to the measure of its intercepted arc:
α=m(∠AOB)=m(AB^)\alpha = m(\angle AOB) = m(\widehat{AB})
  1. Inscribed Angle (Çevre Açı): Has its vertex on the circumference and sides that are chords. Its measure is half the measure of its intercepted arc:
α=m(∠ACB)=12m(AB^)\alpha = m(\angle ACB) = \frac{1}{2}m(\widehat{AB})

Consequence: All inscribed angles that subtend the same arc are equal, and an inscribed angle is half the central angle subtending the same arc. 3. Tangent-Chord Angle (Teğet-Kiriş Açı): Formed by a tangent line and a chord meeting at the point of tangency. Like an inscribed angle, it equals half the arc enclosed by the chord:

α=12m(AB^)\alpha = \frac{1}{2}m(\widehat{AB})
  1. Thales' Circle Theorem (Çapı Gören Çevre Açı): Because a semicircle measures 180∘180^\circ, any inscribed angle that subtends a diameter is a right angle (90∘90^\circ).

Interior, Exterior, and Two-Tangent Angles

  • Interior Secant Angle (İç Açı): When two chords ACAC and BDBD intersect inside the circle at point PP, the vertical angles equal the average of the two opposite intercepted arcs x=m(AB^)x = m(\widehat{AB}) and y=m(CD^)y = m(\widehat{CD}):
α=x+y2\alpha = \frac{x + y}{2}
  • Exterior Secant/Tangent Angle (Dış Açı): When two secants, a secant and a tangent, or two tangents intersect at an exterior point PP, the angle equals half the difference between the far arc xx and the near arc yy:
α=x−y2\alpha = \frac{x - y}{2}
  • Two-Tangent Hat Rule (Külah / Dondurma Külahı Kuralı): When both rays from an exterior point PP are tangent to the circle at AA and BB, the exterior angle ∠APB\angle APB and the minor arc AB^\widehat{AB} are supplementary:
m(∠APB)+m(AB^)=180∘m(\angle APB) + m(\widehat{AB}) = 180^\circ

Furthermore, the line POPO joining PP to the center OO bisects both the angle ∠APB\angle APB and the arc AB^\widehat{AB}, creating a half-hat where:

m(∠APO)+m(AC^)=90∘m(\angle APO) + m(\widehat{AC}) = 90^\circ

Chord-Arc Symmetry & Cyclic Quadrilaterals (Kirişler Dörtgeni)

  • Equal Chords (Eş Kirişler): Congruent chords cut off equal arcs: ∣AB∣=∣CD∣  ⟺  m(AB^)=m(CD^)|AB| = |CD| \iff m(\widehat{AB}) = m(\widehat{CD}).
  • Parallel Chords (Paralel Kirişler): Two parallel chords cut off equal arcs between them: AB∥CDAB \parallel CD with A,B,C,DA,B,C,D in cyclic order implies m(AD^)=m(BC^)m(\widehat{AD})=m(\widehat{BC}) for the intervening arcs.
  • Cyclic Quadrilateral (Kirişler Dörtgeni): A quadrilateral ABCDABCD whose four vertices lie on a circle has opposite interior angles that sum to 180∘180^\circ:
m(∠A)+m(∠C)=180∘andm(∠B)+m(∠D)=180∘m(\angle A) + m(\angle C) = 180^\circ \quad \text{and} \quad m(\angle B) + m(\angle D) = 180^\circ

2. Chords, Tangents & Power of a Point (Çemberde Uzunluk ve Kuvvet)

Fundamental Center-to-Chord & Center-to-Tangent Rules

  1. Perpendicular from Center to a Chord: A perpendicular segment OHOH dropped from the center OO to a chord ABAB bisects the chord (∣AH∣=∣HB∣=∣AB∣2|AH| = |HB| = \frac{|AB|}{2}) and bisects the subtended arc. With radius RR and distance d=∣OH∣d = |OH|, △OHB\triangle OHB is a right triangle satisfying:
R2=d2+(∣AB∣2)2R^2 = d^2 + \left(\frac{|AB|}{2}\right)^2

Chords closer to the center are longer: d1<d2  ⟺  ∣AB∣>∣CD∣d_1 < d_2 \iff |AB| > |CD|. 2. Radius-to-Tangent Perpendicularity: The radius OTOT drawn to a point of tangency TT is always perpendicular to the tangent line (OT⊥dOT \perp d, forming a 90∘90^\circ angle). 3. Two Tangents & Tangential Quadrilaterals (Teğetler Dörtgeni): Two tangent segments drawn from the same external point PP have equal length (∣PA∣=∣PB∣|PA| = |PB|). Consequently, if a quadrilateral ABCDABCD circumscribes an inscribed circle (so all four sides are tangent to the circle), the sums of its opposite side lengths are equal:

a+c=b+da + c = b + d

And its area equals A=u⋅rA = u \cdot r, where u=a+b+c+d2=a+cu = \frac{a+b+c+d}{2} = a + c is the semiperimeter and rr is the inradius.

Power of a Point (Çemberde Kuvvet)

For any point PP at distance ∣OP∣|OP| from the center of a circle of radius RR, the product of directed segment lengths along any line through PP intersecting the circle is constant:

  • Intersecting Chords / Interior Power (İç Kuvvet): If chords ABAB and CDCD intersect at an interior point PP:
∣PA∣⋅∣PB∣=∣PC∣⋅∣PD∣=R2−∣OP∣2|PA| \cdot |PB| = |PC| \cdot |PD| = R^2 - |OP|^2
  • Two Exterior Secants (Dış Kuvvet): If two secants from an exterior point PP cut the circle at A,BA, B and C,DC, D respectively, multiply near segment ×\times whole secant:
∣PA∣⋅∣PB∣=∣PC∣⋅∣PD∣|PA| \cdot |PB| = |PC| \cdot |PD|
  • Tangent-Secant Theorem (Teğet-Kesen Kuvveti): If a tangent PTPT and a secant PABPAB are drawn from an exterior point PP:
∣PT∣2=∣PA∣⋅∣PB∣=∣OP∣2−R2|PT|^2 = |PA| \cdot |PB| = |OP|^2 - R^2

3. Circle Circumference, Sector Area & Annulus (Dairede Alan ve Çevre)

For a circle of radius RR and a sector with central angle α\alpha (in degrees):

  • Circumference (Çevre): C=2πRC = 2\pi R, and Arc Length (Yay Uzunluğu): ∣AB^∣=2πR⋅α360∘|\widehat{AB}| = 2\pi R \cdot \frac{\alpha}{360^\circ}.
  • Full Disk Area (Dairenin Alanı): A=πR2A = \pi R^2.
  • Sector Area (Daire Diliminin Alanı):
Asector=πR2⋅α360∘=12⋅∣AB^∣⋅RA_{\text{sector}} = \pi R^2 \cdot \frac{\alpha}{360^\circ} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot |\widehat{AB}| \cdot R

Notice that 12⋅∣AB^∣⋅R\frac{1}{2} \cdot |\widehat{AB}| \cdot R treats the sector like a triangle with base ∣AB^∣|\widehat{AB}| and height RR.

  • Circular Segment Area (Daire Parçası / Kesmesi Alanı): The region bounded by chord ABAB and arc AB^\widehat{AB} equals the sector area minus the area of isosceles triangle △OAB\triangle OAB:
Asegment=πR2⋅α360∘−12R2sin⁡αA_{\text{segment}} = \pi R^2 \cdot \frac{\alpha}{360^\circ} - \frac{1}{2}R^2\sin\alpha
  • Annulus Area (Halka Alanı): Between two concentric circles of radii R>rR > r, the ring area is Aannulus=π(R2−r2)A_{\text{annulus}} = \pi(R^2 - r^2). If a chord ABAB of the outer circle is tangent to the inner circle at TT, then R2−r2=∣AT∣2=(∣AB∣2)2R^2 - r^2 = |AT|^2 = \left(\frac{|AB|}{2}\right)^2, yielding the shortcut:
Aannulus=π(∣AB∣2)2A_{\text{annulus}} = \pi \left(\frac{|AB|}{2}\right)^2

Summary Reference Table: Circle Rules

Concept (Kavram)Geometric ConditionFormula
Central vs. Inscribed AngleVertex at center OO vs. on circleαcentral=m(AB^)\alpha_{\text{central}} = m(\widehat{AB}), αinscribed=12m(AB^)\alpha_{\text{inscribed}} = \frac{1}{2}m(\widehat{AB})
Interior & Exterior AnglesChords/secants cutting arcs x,yx, yαin=x+y2\alpha_{\text{in}} = \frac{x+y}{2}, αout=x−y2\alpha_{\text{out}} = \frac{x-y}{2}
Two-Tangent Hat RuleTangents PA,PBPA, PB from exterior PPm(∠APB)+m(AB^)=180∘m(\angle APB) + m(\widehat{AB}) = 180^\circ
Center-to-Chord DistanceOH⊥ABOH \perp AB at distance ddR2=d2+(∣AB∣2)2R^2 = d^2 + \left(\frac{\lvert AB \rvert}{2}\right)^2
Power of a Point (Kuvvet)Secant PABPAB and tangent PTPT∣PT∣2=∣PA∣⋅∣PB∣=∣PC∣⋅∣PD∣\lvert PT \rvert^2 = \lvert PA \rvert \cdot \lvert PB \rvert = \lvert PC \rvert \cdot \lvert PD \rvert
Sector & Segment AreaCentral angle α\alpha, radius RRAsec=πR2α360∘=12∣AB^∣RA_{\text{sec}} = \pi R^2\frac{\alpha}{360^\circ} = \frac{1}{2}\lvert\widehat{AB}\rvert R; Aseg=Asec−12R2sin⁡αA_{\text{seg}} = A_{\text{sec}} - \frac{1}{2}R^2\sin\alpha
Annulus (Halka Alanı)Outer chord ABAB tangent to inner circleAannulus=π(R2−r2)=π(∣AB∣2)2A_{\text{annulus}} = \pi(R^2 - r^2) = \pi\left(\frac{\lvert AB \rvert}{2}\right)^2

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1: Chord Bisection and Tangent-Secant Power

Problem: A circle with center OO has radius R=10 cmR = 10\text{ cm}, and a chord ABAB has length ∣AB∣=16 cm|AB| = 16\text{ cm}. Point PP lies outside the circle on the ray ABAB extended beyond BB such that ∣PB∣=4 cm|PB| = 4\text{ cm}, and PTPT is a tangent segment from PP to the circle. Find:

  1. The perpendicular distance d=∣OH∣d = |OH| from the center OO to the chord ABAB.
  2. The length of the tangent segment ∣PT∣|PT|.

Step-by-Step Solution:

  1. Drop a perpendicular to bisect the chord: Drawing OH⊥ABOH \perp AB divides the chord into two equal halves:
∣AH∣=∣HB∣=162=8 cm|AH| = |HB| = \frac{16}{2} = 8\text{ cm}

In right triangle △OHB\triangle OHB with hypotenuse R=10 cmR = 10\text{ cm}, apply the Pythagorean theorem:

d=∣OH∣=R2−∣HB∣2=102−82=100−64=6 cmd = |OH| = \sqrt{R^2 - |HB|^2} = \sqrt{10^2 - 8^2} = \sqrt{100 - 64} = 6\text{ cm}
  1. Apply the Tangent-Secant Power Theorem: From external point PP, the near segment is ∣PB∣=4 cm|PB| = 4\text{ cm} and the whole secant is ∣PA∣=∣PB∣+∣BA∣=4+16=20 cm|PA| = |PB| + |BA| = 4 + 16 = 20\text{ cm}. Therefore:
∣PT∣2=∣PB∣⋅∣PA∣=4⋅20=80  ⟹  ∣PT∣=80=45 cm|PT|^2 = |PB| \cdot |PA| = 4 \cdot 20 = 80 \implies |PT| = \sqrt{80} = 4\sqrt{5}\text{ cm}

Worked Example 2: Two-Tangent Hat Rule and Circular Segment Area

Problem: From an external point PP, two tangents PAPA and PBPB are drawn to a circle with center OO and radius R=6 cmR = 6\text{ cm} such that m(∠APB)=60∘m(\angle APB) = 60^\circ. Find:

  1. The degree measure of the minor arc m(AB^)m(\widehat{AB}).
  2. The exact area of the circular segment (daire parçası) bounded by chord ABAB and minor arc AB^\widehat{AB}.

Step-by-Step Solution:

  1. Find the arc and central angle: By the Two-Tangent Hat Rule (Külah Kuralı), the exterior angle and minor arc sum to 180∘180^\circ:
m(AB^)=180∘−m(∠APB)=180∘−60∘=120∘m(\widehat{AB}) = 180^\circ - m(\angle APB) = 180^\circ - 60^\circ = 120^\circ

Hence, the central angle is α=m(∠AOB)=120∘\alpha = m(\angle AOB) = 120^\circ. 2. Compute the circular segment area: Subtract the area of △OAB\triangle OAB from the area of sector OABOAB:

Asector=πR2⋅120∘360∘=π(62)⋅13=12π cm2A_{\text{sector}} = \pi R^2 \cdot \frac{120^\circ}{360^\circ} = \pi (6^2) \cdot \frac{1}{3} = 12\pi\text{ cm}^2 A△OAB=12R2sin⁡120∘=12(36)(32)=93 cm2A_{\triangle OAB} = \frac{1}{2} R^2 \sin 120^\circ = \frac{1}{2}(36)\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right) = 9\sqrt{3}\text{ cm}^2 Asegment=12π−93 cm2A_{\text{segment}} = 12\pi - 9\sqrt{3}\text{ cm}^2

When using the half-hat formula, CC denotes the midpoint of the minor arc AB on the line PO. Equal-chord comparisons use matching minor arcs in the same circle. Signed power is OP2−R2OP^2-R^2; the interior unsigned chord-product formula above uses its positive magnitude.

Review the Method

A circular sector of arc length |arc AB| and radius R has area (1/2) * |arc AB| * R, and an annulus (halka) whose inner circle is tangent to an outer chord AB has area pi * (|AB|/2)^2

Test Your Knowledge

From an external point PP, two tangent lines touch a circle at points AA and BB such that m(∠APB)=50∘m(\angle APB) = 50^\circ. If point CC lies on the major arc ACB^\widehat{ACB}, what is the measure of the inscribed angle m(∠ACB)m(\angle ACB)?

A

65∘65^\circ

B

50∘50^\circ

C

75∘75^\circ

D

130∘130^\circ

Test Your Knowledge

In a circle of radius R=13 cmR = 13\text{ cm}, two chords ABAB and CDCD intersect at an interior point PP. If the center OO is at distance ∣OP∣=5 cm|OP| = 5\text{ cm} from PP and ∣PC∣=9 cm|PC| = 9\text{ cm}, what is the length of segment ∣PD∣|PD|?

A

12 cm12\text{ cm}

B

15 cm15\text{ cm}

C

16 cm16\text{ cm}

D

18 cm18\text{ cm}

Test Your Knowledge

Two concentric circles form an annulus (halka). A chord ABAB of the outer circle has length ∣AB∣=14 cm|AB| = 14\text{ cm} and is tangent to the inner circle at point TT. What is the area of the annulus between the two circles?

A

28π cm228\pi\text{ cm}^2

B

49π cm249\pi\text{ cm}^2

C

98π cm298\pi\text{ cm}^2

D

196π cm2196\pi\text{ cm}^2

Test Your Knowledge

A circular sector has radius R=12 cmR = 12\text{ cm} and bounding arc length ∣AB^∣=5π cm|\widehat{AB}| = 5\pi\text{ cm}. What are the central angle α\alpha and the area of this sector?

A

α=60∘\alpha = 60^\circ and Area=24π cm2\text{Area} = 24\pi\text{ cm}^2

B

α=75∘\alpha = 75^\circ and Area=60π cm2\text{Area} = 60\pi\text{ cm}^2

C

α=90∘\alpha = 90^\circ and Area=36π cm2\text{Area} = 36\pi\text{ cm}^2

D

α=75∘\alpha = 75^\circ and Area=30π cm2\text{Area} = 30\pi\text{ cm}^2

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