SHS3 Mathematics · Semester 1, Week 17

Spatial Sense

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Curriculum details

Strand
Geometry Around Us (Strand 3)
Sub-strand
Spatial Sense (3.1)
Content standard
3.3.1.CS.1 - Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of spatial sense with respect to circles and their theorems and apply its properties to solve everyday life problems. 3.3.1.LO.1 Draw circles for given radii and use the circle theorems; identify the tangent as perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact and verify that tangents drawn from an external point to the same circle are equal when measured from their point of contact.
Indicator
3.3.1.LI.2 - Discuss the circle theorems by identifying the statements, proofs, examples and applications.
Suggested placement
Semester 1, Week 17 (Week 17 of the year)

Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.

Curriculum reference
NaCCA curriculum document, p. 332

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Using think-pair-share activities, learners discuss the various circle theorem statements. Encourage students to have a decision-making role related to classroom activities and rules.
Example: Circle Theorems Statements
- The angle subtended by a chord at the centre is twice the angle subtended by it at the circumference.
- The angle subtended by the diameter at the circumference is a right angle.
- The angles subtended at the circumference by the same arc are equal.
- Two equal chords subtend equal angles at the centre of the circle.
- If the angles subtended by two chords at the centre are equal, then the two chords are equal.
- The opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral are supplementary.
- The angle between the radius and the tangent at the point of contact is 90 degrees.
Think-pair-share activities: In pairs, discuss the various circle theorem proofs.
Example: Circle Theorems Proofs
Theorem 1: The angle subtended by a chord at the centre is twice the angle subtended by it at the circumference.
Proof: Consider the following circle, in which an arc (or segment) AB subtends ∠AOB at the centre O and ∠ACB at a point C on the circumference. We have to prove that ∠AOB = 2 × ∠ACB. Draw a line segment through O and C, and let it intersect the circle again at point D, as shown.
Circle centre O with chords to A, B, C and D, the angle at the centre and the angle at C both marked.
An orange circle with centre O and four points on it, A at the left, B at the lower right, C at the top and D at the foot. Blue triangles join A and B to O and to C; the angle at the centre and the angle at C are both marked with shaded sectors.
There are two triangles formed: ΔOAC and ΔOBC. So, we make the following observations. In ΔOAC, ∠OAC = ∠OCA because OA = OC (OA and OC being the radii. Angles opposite to equal sides are equal). In ΔOBC, ∠OBC = ∠OCB because OB = OC (OB and OC being the radii. Angles opposite to equal sides are equal). Hence, using the exterior angle theorem, we get, ∠AOD= 2×∠ACO ⋯ (1) ∠DOB= 2×∠OCB ⋯ (2) Add equations (1) and (2): ∠AOD+ ∠DOB= 2× (∠ACO+ ∠OCB) ⇒ ∠AOB= 2× ∠ACB
Theorem 2: The angle subtended by the diameter at the circumference is a right angle.
Proof: Consider the figure below, where AB is the diameter of the circle. We need to prove that ∠ACB= 90°
Circle centre O with chords from C to A and B and the angle at C marked.
An orange circle with centre O and three points on it, A at the upper left, C at the top and B at the lower right. Chords CA and CB are drawn with the angle at C marked in blue, and lines run from A and B towards O.
Using theorem 1, 'The angle subtended by a chord at the centre is twice the angle subtended by it at the circumference.' We have ∠AOB= 2× ∠ACB. Now, ∠AOB = 180° as AB is a straight line (diameter). So, 2 × ∠ACB = 180° which implies ∠ACB = 90°.
Theorem 3: The angles subtended at the circumference by the same arc are equal.
Proof: Consider the following figure, which shows an arc AB subtending angles ACB and ADB at two arbitrary points, C and D, on the circumference. O is the centre of the circle. 
Circle centre O with two triangles on the same chord and the angles at C and D both marked.
An orange circle with centre O and four points on it, C at the left, A at the foot, B at the right and D at the top right. Two blue triangles stand on the same chord, and the angles at C and at D are both marked with shaded sectors.
We need to prove that ∠ACB= ∠ADB.
Using the circle theorem, 'The angle subtended by a chord at the centre is twice the angle subtended by it at the circumference.' we have that ∠ACB= 1/2× ∠AOB ⋯ (1) ∠ADB= 1/2× ∠AOB ⋯ (2) From equations (1) and (2), we get ∠ACB= ∠ADB. Since angles ACB and ADB are arbitrary angles, therefore, the result is true for all angles subtended by the same arc.
Theorem 4: Two equal chords subtend equal angles at the centre of the circle.
Proof: Consider a circle given below with centre O and two chords AB and CD, such that AB = CD. Now, we need to prove ∠AOB = ∠COD. 
Circle centre O with diameters AC and DB and equal chords AB and DC, the angle at O marked.
A circle with centre O and four points on it: A at the left, C at the right, D at the top and B at the foot. AC and DB are drawn in orange through the centre and the chords AB and DC in blue, each carrying a single tick, with the angle at O marked.
In triangles AOB and COD, we have OA = OC (Radii) OB = OD (Radii) AB = CD (Given)
So, triangles AOB and COD are congruent by SSS congruence rule. So, we have ∠AOB = ∠COD (Corresponding parts of congruent triangles).
Theorem 5: If the angles subtended by two chords at the centre are equal, then the two chords are equal.
Proof: Consider a circle given below with centre O and two chords, AB and CD, such that ∠AOB = ∠COD. Now, we need to prove AB = CD. In triangles AOB and COD, we have OA = OC (Radii) OB = OD (Radii) ∠AOB = ∠COD (Given) So, triangles AOB and COD are congruent by SAS congruence rule. So, we have AB = CD (Corresponding parts of congruent triangles).
Circle with diameters AC and DB and the two vertically opposite angles at O both labelled theta.
The same circle with diameters AC and DB, the chords AB and DC ticked as equal, and the two vertically opposite angles at the centre O both labelled theta.
Group discussions: In groups, task learners to apply the various circle theorems to solve some examples. Encourage learners to show respect to individuals of different backgrounds in their groups as they solve real-life problems on circle theorems.
Example 1: Consider a circle with Centre O given below. Find the value of x using circle theorems. 
Circle centre O with tangent PT, chord ST, the angle at T marked x and the angle at P marked 32 degrees.
A circle with centre O, a tangent from an external point P touching the circle at T, and the chord ST drawn from T to S on the far side. The angle at T between the chord and the radius is marked x and the angle at P is marked 32 degrees.
Solution: We are given a circle with a centre O. Sine OS, and OT are radii, OS = OT. Using the circle theorem 'The angle between the radius and the tangent at the point of contact is 90 degrees', we have ∠OTP = 90°. In triangle OTP, using the angle sum theorem, we have ∠TOP + ∠OTP + ∠OPT = 180° ⇒ ∠TOP + 90° + 32° = 180° ⇒ ∠TOP = 180° - (90° + 32°) = 58° Since OS = OT ⇒ ∠OSP = ∠OTP = x (because angles opposite to equal sides are equal). Using the exterior angle theorem, we have ∠OSP + ∠OTP = ∠TOP ⇒ x + x = 58° ⇒ 2x = 58° ⇒ x = 29°
Answer: x = 29°
Example 2: Consider the circle given below with centre O. Find the angle x using the circle theorems. 
Small circle with centre O and points A, B, C, one angle marked x and another 55 degrees.
A small circle with centre O and points A, B and C on it. Lines are drawn from A and C to the centre and to B, with one angle marked x and another marked 55 degrees.
Solution: Using the circle theorem 'The angle subtended by the diameter at the circumference is a right angle', we have ∠ABC = 90°. So, using the triangle sum theorem, ∠BAC + ∠ACB + ∠ABC = 180° ⇒ x + 55° + 90° = 180° ⇒ x + 145° = 180° ⇒ x = 180° - 145° = 35° Answer: x = 35
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- * Mathematical sets. Graph sheet. * Technology tools such as computers, mobile phones, etc. * Computer software applications like GeoGebra.
Assessment (3.3.1.AS.2). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 1 Recall; Level 2 Skills of conceptual understanding; Level 3 Strategic reasoning.