The angle between a tangentA straight line that just touches a point on a curve. A tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius which meets the tangent. and a chordA straight line joining two points on a circle is a chord. is equal to the angle in the alternate segment.
Example
Calculate the missing angles \(x\), \(y\) and \(z\).
The angle in a semicircleA diameter divides a circle into two semicircles. is 90掳.
\(y = 90掳\)
Angles in a triangle add up to 180掳.
\(z = 180 - 30 - 90 = 60^\circ\)
Using the alternate segment theoremA mathematical statement that can be demonstrated to be true.:
angle \(x = z\)
\(x = 60^\circ\)
Proof
Let angle CDB = \(x\).
The angle between a tangent and the radiusThe distance from the centre of a circle to its circumference. The plural of radius is radii. is 90掳.
Angle BDO = \(90 - x\)
Triangle DOB is an isosceles triangle so angle DBO is \(90 - x\).
Angles in a triangle add up to 180掳.
Angle DOB = \(180 - \text{BDO} - \text{DBO}\)
Angle DOB = \(180 - (90 - x) - (90 - x) = 2x\)
The angle at the centre is double the angle at the circumferenceCircumference is the name of the perimeter of a complete circle, that is, the distance all around it..