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Angle in a Semicircle Simplified Revision Notes

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3.2.4 Angle in a Semicircle

The angle in a semicircle theorem, also known as Thales' theorem, is a fundamental result in geometry. It states that any angle subtended by a diameter of a circle (i.e., an angle formed by two points on the circle and the endpoints of a diameter) is a right angle (90 degrees).

Theorem Statement

Thales' Theorem: If  ABC\ ABC is a triangle inscribed in a circle, where  AB\ AB is the diameter of the circle, then the angle  ACB\ \angle ACB is a right angle.

Proof of the Theorem

Consider a circle with a centre  O\ O and a diameter  AB.\ AB . Let C\ C be any point on the circle such that  C\ C is not on the line  AB.\ AB . The goal is to show that the angle  ACB=:highlight[90].\ \angle ACB = :highlight[90^\circ] .

infoNote

Steps for the Proof:

  1. Draw the Circle and the Triangle
  2. Understand the Relationship
  3. Consider the Angles
  4. Consider the Angle Sum in Triangle  OAC\ OAC and OBC\ OBC

Draw the Circle and the Triangle:

  • Draw the circle with centre  O\ O and diameter  AB\ AB .

  • Let  C\ C be any point on the circle, forming the triangle  ABC.\ ABC . Understand the Relationship:

  • The points  A, B,\ A , \ B , and  C\ C are all on the circumference of the circle.

  •  AB\ AB is the diameter, so the line OC\ OC is the radius of the circle.

  • Note that  OA=OB=OC=r\ OA = OB = OC = r (where  r\ r is the radius of the circle). Consider the Angles:

  • The angle  OCA\ \angle OCA and OCB\ \angle OCB are both angles at the centre and subtend the same arc  AB.\ AB .

  • Therefore,  OCA=OCB.\ \angle OCA = \angle OCB . Consider the Angle Sum in Triangle  OAC\ OAC and OBC: \ OBC :

  • In  OAC\ \triangle OAC and  OBC:\ \triangle OBC : AOC+ABC=180(angles on a straight line)\angle AOC + \angle ABC = 180^\circ \quad (\text{angles on a straight line}) AOC=2×ACB\angle AOC = 2 \times \angle ACB But since  AOC=180\ \angle AOC = 180^\circ , it follows that: 2×ACB=1802 \times \angle ACB = 180^\circ ACB=:highlight[90]\angle ACB = :highlight[90^\circ] This shows that  ACB\ \angle ACB is indeed a right angle.

Applications of Thales' Theorem

  1. Triangle in a Semicircle: Any triangle inscribed in a semicircle with one side as the diameter of the circle will always be a right triangle.
  2. Problem-Solving: This theorem is often used to solve problems involving circles, triangles, and angles, particularly when dealing with inscribed angles and cyclic quadrilaterals.

Example Problem:

infoNote

Given a circle with a diameter  AB=:highlight[10]\ AB = :highlight[10] units and a point  C\ C on the circle such that  AC=:highlight[6]\ AC = :highlight[6] units and  BC=:highlight[8]\ BC = :highlight[8] units, verify that the angle  ACB\ \angle ACB is a right angle.

infoNote

Solution: 5. Check the Condition for a Right Triangle:

  • To verify  ACB=:highlight[90],\ \angle ACB = :highlight[90^\circ] , check whether  ABC\ \triangle ABC satisfies the Pythagorean theorem. AC2+BC2=AB2AC^2 + BC^2 = AB^2
  • Calculate: 62+82=36+64=100=1026^2 + 8^2 = 36 + 64 = 100 = 10^2
  • Since  AC2+BC2=AB2, ABC\ AC^2 + BC^2 = AB^2 , \ \triangle ABC is a right triangle.
  1. Conclusion:
  • By Thales' theorem,  ACB=:highlight[90],\ \angle ACB = :highlight[90^\circ] , confirming the result.

Practice Problem:

infoNote

Given a circle with a centre at OO and diameter  PQ\ PQ , if  R\ R is a point on the circumference such that  PRQ\ PRQ forms a triangle, what is the measure of  PRQ\ \angle PRQ ?

Solution: By Thales' theorem,  PRQ\ \angle PRQ is a right angle, so  PRQ=:highlight[90].\ \angle PRQ = :highlight[90^\circ] .

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