Circle properties and circle theorems

  • Set Square
    problem

    Set square

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    A triangle PQR, right angled at P, slides on a horizontal floor with Q and R in contact with perpendicular walls. What is the locus of P?
  • Kissing
    problem

    Kissing

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Two perpendicular lines are tangential to two identical circles that touch. What is the largest circle that can be placed in between the two lines and the two circles and how would you construct it?
  • Fixing It
    problem

    Fixing it

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    A and B are two fixed points on a circle and RS is a variable diamater. What is the locus of the intersection P of AR and BS?
  • Baby Circle
    problem

    Baby circle

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    A small circle fits between two touching circles so that all three circles touch each other and have a common tangent? What is the exact radius of the smallest circle?
  • Some(?) of the Parts
    problem

    Some(?) of the parts

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    A circle touches the lines OA, OB and AB where OA and OB are perpendicular. Show that the diameter of the circle is equal to the perimeter of the triangle
  • Placeholder: several colourful numbers
    page

    Circle theorems

    This set of resources for teachers offers interactive environments which support work on properties of angles in circles at Key Stage 4.
  • Incircles Explained
    article

    Incircles explained

    This article is about triangles in which the lengths of the sides and the radii of the inscribed circles are all whole numbers.
  • The Cyclic Quadrilateral
    article

    The cyclic quadrilateral

    This gives a short summary of the properties and theorems of cyclic quadrilaterals and links to some practical examples to be found elsewhere on the site.
  • Virtual Geoboard
    interactivity

    Virtual geoboard

    A virtual geoboard that allows you to create shapes by stretching rubber bands between pegs on the board. Allows a variable number of pegs and variable grid geometry and includes a point labeller.