These notes for CBSE Class 9 Maths Chapter 10, Circles, provide a comprehensive overview of fundamental concepts. It defines a circle as a collection of points equidistant from a fixed center, introducing terms like radius and diameter. The notes explain the interior and exterior of a circle, and define chords, arcs, segments, and sectors. Key theorems are presented, including those relating equal chords to equal angles at the center, the perpendicular from the center bisecting a chord, and the uniqueness of a circle through three non-collinear points. It also covers theorems on chords equidistant from the center, the relationship between angles subtended by an arc at the center and circumference, and angles in the same segment. Finally, it defines cyclic quadrilaterals and their properties. These notes are ideal for students to revise the chapter effectively for exams.
Last optimized 10 Aug 2026
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The collection of all the points in a plane, which are at a fixed distance from a fixed point in the
plane, is called a circle.
A circle is a closed curve all of whose points lie in the same plane and are at the same distance
from the centre.
The fixed point is called the centre of the circle and the fixed distance is called the radius of the
circle.
Note : The line segment joining the centre and any point on the circle is also called a radius of
the circle.
A circle divides the plane on which it lies into three parts. They are (i) inside the circle, which is also called the interior of the circle. (ii) the circle and (iii) outside the circle, which is also called the exterior of the circle
A chord of a circle is a line joining two points of the circumference. A chord passes through the
centre is called diameter.
Note : Diameter is the longest chord and all diameters have the same length, which is equal to
two times the radius.
A piece of a circle between two points is called an arc. In a circle equal chords have equal arcs.
When P and Q are ends of a diameter, then both arcs are equal and each is called a semicircle.
The length of the complete circle is called its circumference.
The region between a chord and either of its arcs is called segment of the circle.
The region between an arc and the two radii, joining the centre to the end points of the arc is
called a sector.
The minor arc corresponds to the minor sector and the major arc corresponds to the major
sector.
When two arcs are equal, that is, each is a semicircle, then both segments and both sectors
become the same and each is known as a semicircular region.
Theorem 1: Equal chords of a circle subtend equal angles at the centre.
Theorem 2 : If the angles subtended by the chords of a circle at the centre are equal, then the
chords are equal.
Theorem 3 : The perpendicular from the centre of a circle to a chord bisects the chord.
Theorem 4 : The line drawn through the centre of a circle to bisect a chord is perpendicular to
the chord.
Theorem 5 : There is one and only one circle passing through three given non-collinear points.
Remark : If ABC is a triangle, then by above given Theorem there is a unique circle passing
through the three vertices A, B and C of the triangle. This circle is called the circumcircle of
the AABC. Its centre and radius are called respectively the circumcentre and the circumradius
of the triangle.
Theorem 6 : Equal chords of a circle (or of congruent circles) are equidistant from the centre
(or centres).
Theorem 7 : Chords equidistant from the centre of a circle are equal in length.
Result : Congruent arcs (or equal arcs) of a circle subtend equal angles at the centre.
Theorem 8 : The angle subtended by an arc at the centre is double the angle subtended by it at
any point on the remaining part of the circle.
Note : Theorem gives the relationship between the angles subtended by an are at the centre and
at a point on the circle.
Theorem 9: Angles in the same segment of a circle are equal.
Note : Angle in a semicircle is a right angle.
Theorem 10 : If a line segment joining two points subtends equal angles at two other points
lying on the same side of the line containing the line segment, the four points lie on a circle (i.e.
they are concyclic).
A quadrilateral ABCD is called cyclic if all the four vertices of it lie on a circle.
Theorem 11: The sum of either pair of opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral is 180°.
Theorem 12 : If the sum of a pair of opposite angles of a quadrilateral is 180°, the quadrilateral
is cyclic.
A circle is defined as the collection of all points in a plane that are at a fixed distance from a fixed point, called the centre. A chord is a line segment joining any two points on the circumference. A diameter is a chord that passes through the centre and is the longest chord. A segment of a circle is the region between a chord and either of its arcs. Theorem 1 states that equal chords of a circle subtend equal angles at the centre. The angle subtended by an arc at the centre is double the angle subtended by it at any point on the remaining part of the circle. Angles in the same segment of a circle are equal. A quadrilateral is called cyclic if all its four vertices lie on a circle. The sum of either pair of opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral is 180°.
Frequently asked questions
What is a circle according to the notes?
What is the difference between a chord and a diameter?
What is a segment of a circle?
What does Theorem 1 state about equal chords?
What is the relationship between the angle at the centre and the angle at the circumference subtended by an arc?
What are angles in the same segment of a circle?
What is a cyclic quadrilateral?
What is the property of opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral?
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