Circle theorem (Theorem 19): The angle at the centre of a circle standing on a given arc is twice the angle at any point on the circumference of the circle standing on the same arc.
In the diagram, the angle at the centre is 2 a and the angle at the circumference is a .
For example, if the angle at the centre was 100 ° , then the angle at the circumference would be 50 ° . If the angle at the circumference is 75 ° then the angle at the centre is 150 ° .
Proof of the angle at the centre of the circle theorem (Theorem 19)
1 Given a circle with a centre O , and points A , B and C . 2 Join A to O and extend to R . O R B 3
In the triangle AOB |AO| = |OB|
⇒ |∠OBA| = |∠OAB|
∴ |∠BOR| = |∠OAB| + |∠OAB| ∴ |∠BOR| = 2 |∠OAB|
Similarly, | ∠ROC| = 2 |∠OAC| ∴ |∠BOC| = 2 |∠BAC|
Worked example 1 Given O is the centre of the circle shown, fi nd the value of x .
27° O B A (radii) (isosceles triangle) | ∠BOR| = |∠OBA| + |∠OAB| (exterior angle) R C O C A a O 2a