GEOMETRY

1. Parallel Lines
On this page, we hope to clear up problems that you might have with
parallel lines and their uses in geometry. Parallel lines seem rather
innocent, but are used in some complex geometry situations to help you
solve problems. Click any of the links below to start understanding parallel
lines better!
Transversals
How to tell if lines are parallel
Using parallel lines to find information about triangles
Quiz on Parallel Lines

Before you start working with parallel lines, you have to know what parallel
lines are. Parallel lines are coplanar lines that do not intersect. There are
two other kinds of lines you need to know about. One is skew lines, which
are lines that do not intersect and that are on different planes. Intersecting
lines are lines that have a point in common.

A transversal, or a line that intersects two or more coplanar lines, each at a

different point, is a very useful line in geometry. Transversals tell us a
great deal about angles.

There is a special rule used in geometry (the Transversal Postulate) that

involves angles and transversals. It says that if two parallel lines are
intersected by a transversal, then the corresponding angles are congruent.

1. Given: r is parallel to s
angle 1 = 60 degrees
Find the measures of the other
seven angles in the accompanying
figure (below).
 Solution: Angle 2 = 120 degrees since it is
supplementary to angle 1.
Supplementary angles are any two
angles whose sum is 180 degrees.
Angle 3 = 60 degrees since
Angle 1 and Angle 3 are
vertical angles.
Vertical angles are two nonadjacent
angles formed by two intersecting
lines.
Angle 4 = 120 degrees since it is
supplementary to angle 1.
Angle 5 = angle 1 by the
Transversal Postulate.
Angle 6 = angle 2,
angle 7 = angle 3, and
angle 8 = angle 4 by the
Transveral Postulate.

2.

On this page, we hope to clear up problems that you might have with
proving triangles congruent. Triangles are one of the most used figures in
geometry and beyond (engineering), so they are rather important to
understand. Scroll down or click any of the links below to start
understanding congruent triangles better!
Side-Angle-Side
Side-Side-Side
Angle-Side-Angle
Angle-Angle-Side
CPCTC (Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles are Congruent)
Quiz on Congruent Triangles
Side-Angle-Side is a rule used in geometry to prove triangles congruent.
The rule states that if two sides and the included angle are congruent to
two sides and the included angle of a second triangle, the two triangles are
congruent. An included angle is an angle created by two sides of a triangle.

1. Problem: Is triangle PQR congruent to

triangle STV by SAS? Explain.

Solution: Segment PQ is congruent

to segment ST because
PQ = ST = 4.
Angle Q is congruent to
angle T because
angle Q = angle T = 100 degrees.
Segment QR is congruent
to segment TV because QR = TV = 5.
Triangle PQR is congruent
to triangle STV by Side-Angle-Side.

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Side-Side-Side is a rule used in geometry to prove triangles congruent. The

rule states that if three sides of one triangle are congruent to three sides of
a second triangle, the two triangles are congruent.

1. Problem: Show that triangle QYN is congruent

to triangle QYP.
 Solution: Segment QN is congruent to
segment QP and segment YN is
congruent to segment YP because that
information is given in the figure.
Segment YQ is congruent to segment
YQ by the Reflexive Property of Con-
gruence, which says any figure is
congruent to itself.
Triangle QYN is congruent to triangle
QYP by Side-Side-Side.

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Angle-Side-Angle is a rule used in geometry to prove triangles are

congruent. The rule states that if two angles and the included side of one
triangle are congruent to two angles and the included side of another
triangle, the triangles are congruent. An included side is a side that is
common to (between) two angles. For example, in the figure used in the
problem below, segment AB is an included side to angles A and B.

1. Problem: Show that triangle BAP is congruent

to triangle CDP.
 Solution: Angle A is congruent to angle D
because they are both right angles.
Segment AP is congruent to segment DP be-
cause both have measures of 5.
Angle BPA and angle CPD are congruent be-
cause vertical angles are congruent.
Triangle BAP is congruent to triangle CDP
by Angle-Side-Angle.

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Angle-Angle-Side is a rule used in geometry to prove triangles are

congruent. The rule states that if two angles and a nonincluded side of one
triangle are congruent to two angles and the corresponding nonincluded
side of another triangle, the two triangles are congruent.

1. Problem: Show that triangle CAB is congruent

to triangle ZXY.
 Solution: Angle A and angle Y are congruent
because that information is given
in the figure.
Angle C is congruent to angle Z
because that information is given
in the figure.
Segment AB corresponds to segment XY and
they are congruent because that
information is given in the figure.
Triangle CAB is congruent to triangle ZXY
by Angle-Angle-Side.

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When two triangles are congruent, all six pairs of corresponding parts
(angles and sides) are congruent. This statement is usually simplified as
corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent, or CPCTC for
short.

1. Problem: Prove segment BC is congruent to

segment CE.
 Solution: First, you have to prove that triangle
CAB is congruent to triangle CED.

Angle A is congruent to angle D

because that information is given
in the figure.
Segment AC is congruent to segment CD
because that information is given
in the figure.
Angle BCA is congruent to angle DCE
because vertical angles are
congruent.
Triangle CAB is congruent to triangle CED
by Angle-Side-Angle.

Now that you know the triangles are

congruent, you know that all
corresponding parts must be congruent.
By CPCTC, segment BC
is congruent to segment CE.

3.

On this page, we hope to clear up problems that you might have with
proving right triangles congruent. Right triangles are special triangles that
contain one right angle. With right triangles, we name the sides of the
triangle. The two sides that include the right angle are called legs and the
side opposite the right angle is called the hypotenuse. Scroll down or click
any of the links below to start understanding congruent right triangles
better!
Leg-Leg Theorem
Leg-Acute Angle Theorem
Hypotenuse-Acute Angle Theorem
Hypotenuse-Leg Postulate
Quiz on Congruent Right Triangles
The Leg-Leg Theorem is a rule specially designed for use with right
triangles. (If anyone cares, it is actually the Side-Angle-Side rule.) It
states if the legs of one right triangle are congruent to the legs of another
right triangle, the two right triangles are congruent.

1. Problem: Prove that triangle ABC is congruent to

triangle DEF.

Solution: Segment AB and segment DE, which

are both legs of their respective
triangles, are congruent because
that information is given.
Segment BC and segment EF, which
are both legs of their respective
triangles, are congruent because
that information is given.

The figure also denotes both triangles as

right triangles. Because of that fact,
and the fact that both legs are congruent,
triangle ABC and triangle DEF are
congruent by the Leg-Leg Theorem.

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The Leg-Acute Angle Theorem is a rule specially designed for use with right
triangles. (If anyone cares, it is actually the Angle-Side-Angle rule.) It
states if a leg and an acute angle of one right triangle are congruent to the
corresponding parts of another right triangle, the two right triangles are
congruent.

1. Problem: Prove triangle JKL is congruent

 to triangle MNO.

Solution: Segment KL and segment NO,

which are legs of their respective
triangles, are congruent because that
information is given.
Angle L is congruent to angle O, which
are acute angles of their respective
triangles, are congruent because that
information is given in the figure.

Since there is one leg and one acute

angle in each triangle that is
congruent to another leg and another
acute angle in the other triangle,
both of which are right, triangle
JKL is congruent to triangle MNO
by the Leg-Acute Angle Theorem.

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The Hypotenuse-Acute Angle Theorem is a rule specially designed for use

with right triangles. (If anyone cares, it is actually the Angle-Angle-Side
rule.) It states if the hypotenuse and an acute angle of a right triangle are
congruent to the hypotenuse and an acute angle of another right triangle,
the two triangles are congruent.

1. Problem: Prove triangle PQR is congruent

to triangle STU.
 Solution: Segment PR and segment SU, which are
the hypotenuses of their respective
triangles, are congruent because
that information is given in the
figure.
Angle R and angle U, which are
both acute angles, are congruent
because that information is given
in the figure.

With the above information, which says the

hypotenuses and one of one of the acute
angles in each triangle are congruent,
you have proved that triangle PQR is
congruent to triangle STU by the
Hypotenuse-Acute Angle Theorem.

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The Hypotenuse-Leg Postulate is a rule that you can use with right triangles
only. This rule is considered a postulate because it is not based on any
other rules, as the theorems discussed above have been. It states if the
hypotenuse and a leg of one right triangle are congruent to the hypotenuse
and a leg of another right triangle, then the triangles are congruent.

1. Problem: State why, after looking at the figure,

the following conclusion has been reached:
Triangle QRS is congruent to
triangle XYZ.
 Solution: The hypotenuses of each triangle are con-
gruent. Each triangle also has a
congruent leg (in this case, RS and YZ
are given in the figure as congruent).

With each triangle having a congruent

hypotenuse and one congruent leg, the
two triangles can be shown to be
congruent by the Hypotenuse-Leg
Postulate.

4.

On this page we hope to clear up problems that you might have with
isosceles and/or equilateral triangles. These kind of triangles are special
triangles, and if you scroll down, you'll be able to better understand the
peculiarities of each type of triangle.

An isosceles triangle has two congruent sides called legs and a third side
called the base. The vertex angle is the angle included by the legs. The
other two angles are called base angles. The base angles are congruent.
The figure below depicts an isosceles triangle with all the parts labeled.
An equilateral triangle is a special isosceles triangle in which all three sides
are congruent. Equilateral triangles are also equiangular, which means all
three angles are congruent. The measure of each angle is 60 degrees. The
figure below depicts an equilateral triangle with all the parts labeled.

There are a few special rules you ought to remember when dealing with
isosceles and/or equilateral triangles. They are outlined below.

1. If a triangle is equilateral, it is equiangular.

2. If two angles of a triangle are congruent, they are the base angles of an
isosceles triangle.

3. If a triangle is equiangular, it is equilateral.

By keeping those rules in mind and the definitions of isosceles and

equilateral triangles in mind, you can solve all kinds of problems.

1. Problem: Find AB and AC on the triangle

in the figure.

Solution: Since angle A is congruent

to angle C (information is
given in the figure), segment AC
is the base of an isosceles triangle
(see Rule 2 above).
Because of that, we know that the two
legs of the triangle (AB and BC)
are congruent.
Therefore, AB = 5.
We also know that all triangles are made
of three angles that have measures that
when added together equal 180 degrees.
With that information, we can set up an
equation to find the measure of angle B.

60 + 60 + B = 180

Solving the equation gives us 60 for B.

That tells us that the triangle is
equiangular.
Rule 3 above says that all equiangular
triangles are also equilateral.
If the triangle is equilateral, then all
the sides have the same measure.
Therefore, AC also equals 5.
 5.

On this page, we hope to clear up problems that you might have with
quadrilaterals. Quadrilaterals are the most used shape (they cover
everything from squares to trapezoids) in geometry except for the triangle.
Scroll down to start understanding quadrilaterals better!

As noted above, a quadrilateral is any shape the has four sides. Outlined
below are four definitions that are good to always keep in mind when
working with quadrilaterals.

1. Consecutive angles are any two angles whose vertices are the
endpoints of the same side. (In the figure below, angle B and angle C
are consecutive angles.)

2. Consecutive sides are any two sides that intersect. (In the figure, AB
and BC are consecutive sides.)

3. Opposite angles are any two angles that are not consecutive. (In the
figure, angle B and angle D are opposite angles.)

4. Opposite sides are any two sides that are not consecutive. (In the
figure, AB and DC are opposite sides.)

There is also a theorem in geometry that tells us that in all quadrilaterals,

the sum of the measures of the angles is 360o. This can be used in many
situations, including problems where you need to find the measures of
angles.
1. Problem: Find the measure of angle x.

Solution: Use the given information to help

you find any new information.

Angle y = 80o because

vertical angles are congruent.
Angle z = 120o because
it is supplementary to the
60o angle shown in
the figure.

You now know the measures of three of

the four angles in the quadrilateral.
The other, angle w can be found by
using the theorem that tells us all
quadrilaterals have a sum of angles
that equals 360o. Set up
an equation to do this.

360 = w + 75 + 80 + 120

Solve for w. w equals 85o.

Angle x can now easily be found because

it is supplementary to angle w, which
you found above.

Angle x = 95o

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Although you won't encounter many odd shapes, such as shapes with
twelve sides, it can happen. On most instances of this, you will need to find
the sum of the measures of the angles. There is a special theorem that
says, if n is the number of sides of any polygon, the sum (S) of the measure
of its angles is given by the formula -
S = (n-2)180o.

The figure and table below will help this theorem make more sense.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
| Polygon | No. Sides | Total No. of | No. Triangles | Sum of |
| | | Diagonals | Formed | Angle |
| | | fr. 1 vertex | | Measures |
-------------------------------------------------------------------
| Triangle | 3 | 0 | 1 | 180o |
| Quad. | 4 | 1 | 2 | 360o |
| Pentagon | 5 | 2 | 3 | 540o |
| Hexagon | 6 | 3 | 4 | 720o |
| . | . | . | . | . |
| . | . | . | . | . |
| . | . | . | . | . |
| n-gon | n | n - 3 | n - 2 |(n-2)(180o)|

6.
On this page, we hope to clear up problems that you might have with
parallelograms. A parallelogram is a special kind of quadrilateral. There are
many special rules and theorems that apply to parallelograms only. By
scrolling down or clicking on the link below, you will be on your way to
understanding parallelograms!
How to tell if a quadrilateral is a parallelogram
Quiz on Parallelograms

A parallelogram is so named because it has two pairs of opposite sides that

are parallel.

There are four theorems that apply to parallelograms only. They are
outlined below.

1. A diagonal of any parallelogram forms two congruent triangles.

Example:

Problem: Prove triangle ABC is congruent

to triangle CDA.

Solution: Since the figure is a parallelogram,

segment AB is parallel to
segment DC and the two
segments are also congruent.

Angle 2 is congruent to angle 4

and angle 1 is congruent to angle
3. This is true because alternate
interior angles are congruent when
parallel lines are cut by a
transversal.
 Segment AC is congruent to segment CA
by the Reflexive Property of
Congruence, which says any figure is
congruent to itself.

Triangle ABC is congruent triangle

CDA by Angle-Side-Angle

2. Both pairs of opposite sides of a parallelogram are congruent.

3. Both pairs of opposite angles of a parallelogram are congruent.

4. The diagonals of any parallelogram bisect each other. Example:

Problem: Prove segment AE is congruent to

segment CE and segment DE is
congruent to segment BE.

Solution: By the definition of a parallelogram,

segment AD and segment BC are
parallel and congruent.

Angle 1 is congruent to angle 3

and angle 2 is congruent to angle 4.
This is true because alternate
interior angles are congruent when
parallel lines are cut by a
transversal.

Triangle AED and triangle CEB are

congruent by Angle-Side-Angle.

The segments we were asked to prove as

congruent are congruent by CPCTC.

In this section, we hope to clear up problems associated with figuring out if

a given quadrilateral is a parallelogram. Most of the theorems that help us
figure out if a shape is a parallelogram are the converses of the theorems
stated above.
The three theorems that tell us how to find a parallelogram are outlined
below.

1. If both pairs of opposite sides of a quadrilateral are congruent, the

quadrilateral is a parallelogram

2. If the diagonals of a quadrilateral bisect each other, then the

quadrilateral is a parallelogram.

3. If one pair of opposite sides of a quadrilateral are both parallel and

congruent, then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.

7.

On this page, we hope to clear up problems that you might have with similar
polygons. Similar polygons are useful when you do stuff like enlarging a
figure. Scroll down or click one of the links below to start understanding
similar polygons!
Special similarity rules for triangles
Lines parallel to one side of a triangle
Quiz on Similar Polygons

Similar polygons are polygons for which all corresponding angles are
congruent and all corresponding sides are proportional. Example:

Many times you will be asked to find the measures of angles and sides of
figures. Similar polygons can help you out.
1. Problem: Find the value of x, y, and
the measure of angle P.

Solution: To find the value of x and y,

write proportions involving corresponding
sides. Then use cross products to solve.

4 x 4 7
- = - - = -
6 9 6 y

6x = 36 4y = 42

x = 6 y = 10.5

To find angle P, note that angle P

and angle S are corresponding angles.
By definition of similar polygons,
angle P = angle S = 86o.

The triangle, geometry's pet shape :-) , has a couple of special rules
dealing with similarity. They are outlined below.

1. Angle-Angle Similarity - If two angles of one triangle are congruent to

two angles of another triangle, then the triangles are similar.

1. Problem: Prove triangle ABE is similar

to triangle CDE.
 Solution: Angle A and angle C are congruent (this
information is given in the figure).

Angle AEB and angle CED are

congruent because vertical angles are
congruent.

Triangle ABE and triangle CDE are similar

by Angle-Angle.

2. Side-Side-Side Similarity - If all pairs of corresponding sides of two

triangles are proportional, then the triangles are similar.

3. Side-Angle-Side Similarity - If one angle of a triangle is congruent to one

angle of another triangle and the sides that include those angles are
proportional, then the two triangles are similar.

2. Problem: Are the triangles shown in

the figure similar?
 Solution: Find the ratios of the
corresponding sides.

UV 9 3 VW 15 3
-- = -- = - -- = -- = -
KL 12 4 LM 20 4

The sides that include angle V

and angle L are proportional.

Angle V and angle L are

congruent (the information is given in
the figure).

Triangle UVS and triangle KLM

are similar by Side-Angle-Side.

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What do parallel lines and triangles have to do with similar polygons? Well,
you can create similar triangles by drawing a segment parallel to one side of
a triangle in the triangle. This is useful when you have to find the value of a
triangle's side (or, in a really scary case, only part of the value of a side).

The theorem that lets us do that says if a segment is parallel to one side of
a triangle and intersects the other sides in two points, then the triangle
formed is similar to the original triangle. Also, when you put a parallel line
in a triangle, as the theorem above describes, the sides are divided
proportionally.

1. Problem: Find PT and PR

Solution: 4 x
- = -- because the sides are divided
7 12 proportionally when you draw a
parallel line to another side.

7x = 48 Cross products

x = 48/7

PT = 48/7
PR = 12 + 48/7 = 132/7

8.
On this page, we hope to clear up problems that you might have with special
triangles, such as a 30o-60o-90o, and theorems that apply to them, such as
the Pythagorean Theorem. Scroll down or click on one of the links below to
start better understanding special triangles.
Pythagorean Theorem
45-45-90
30-60-60
Trigonometric ratios
Story problems
Quiz on Special Triangles

One of the most famous mathematicians who has ever lived, Pythagoras, a
Greek scholar who lived way back in the 6th century B.C. (back when Bob
Dole was learning geometry), came up with one of the most famous
theorems ever, the Pythagorean Theorem. It says - in a right triangle, the
square of the measure of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of
the measures of the two legs. This theorem is normally represented by the
following equation: a2 + b2 = c2, where c represents the hypotenuse.

With this theorem, if you are given the measures of two sides of a triangle,
you can easily find the measure of the other side.

1. Problem: Find the value of c.

Solution: a2 + b2 = c2 Write the Pythagorean

Theorem and then plug in any
given information.

52 + 122 = c2 The information that was

given in the figure was
 plugged in.

169 = c2 Solve for c

c = 13

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One of the special right triangles which we deal with in geometry is an

isosceles right triangle. These triangles are also known as 45-45-90
triangles (so named because of the measures of their angles). There is one
theorem that applies to these triangles. It is stated below.

In a 45-45-90 triangle, the measure of the hypotenuse is equal to the

measure of a leg multiplied by SQRT(2).

The following figure presents the theorem in graphical terms.

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There's another kind of special right triangle which we deal with all the
time. These triangles are known as 30-60-90 triangles (so named because
of the measures of their angles). There is one theorem that applies to these
triangles. It is stated below.

In a 30-60-90 triangle, the measure of the hypotenuse is two times that of

the leg opposite the 30o angle. The measure of the other leg is SQRT(3)
times that of the leg opposite the 30o angle.
The following figure presents the theorem in graphical terms.

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While the word trigonometry strikes fear into the hearts of many, we made
it through (amazing as it may seem to us), and hope to help you through it,
too! Each of the three basic trigonometric ratios are shown below.

sine of angle A = (measure of opposite leg)/(measure of hypotenuse). In

the figure, the sin of angle A = (a/c).

cosine of angle A = (measure of adjacent leg)/(measure of hypotenuse). In

the figure, the cos of angle A = (b/c).

tangent of angle A = (measure of opposite leg)/(measure of adjacent leg).

In the figure, the tan of angle A = (a/b).

1. Problem: Find sin A, cos A, and tan A.

 Solution: sine = (opposite/hypotenuse)
sine = 5/13

cosine = (adjacent/hypotenuse)
cos = 12/13

tangent = (opposite/adjacent)
tan = 5/12

Be aware that, although the example above seems to indicate otherwise,

the values for the trigonometric ratios depend on the measure of the angle,
not the measures of the triangle's sides.

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Many problems ask that you find the measure of an angle or a segment that
cannot easily be measured. Problems of this kind can often be solved by the
application of trigonometry. Below is an example problem of this type.

1. Problem: A ladder 12 meters long leans

against a building. It rests on
the wall at a point 10 meters
above the ground. Find the angle
the ladder makes with the ground.

Solution: Make sure you know what is being

asked. Then use the given
information to draw and label a
figure. Here's our idea of a
figure for this problem:
Choose a variable to represent the
measure of the angle you are asked
to find. Using the variable you
have chosen, write an equation that
will solve the problem.

sin x2 = (10/12)

The above equation is derived from

the given information and the
knowledge of the sine
ratio.

Find the solution using a calculator's

Arcsine function or a table
of trigonometric ratios.

TI-82 screen: sin-1 (10/12) = 56.44

Trigonometric Ratios Table:

sin 56o = 0.8290
sin 57o = 0.8387

By either answer, after rounding to

the nearest degree, the answer is 56o.

9.
Circles, the perfect shape! On this page we hope to clear up problems that
you might have with circles and the figures, such as radii, associated with
them. Just start scrolling down or click one of the links below to start
understanding circles better!
Chords & radii
Tangents
Congruent arcs
Inscribed angles
Angles involving tangents and/or secants
Segments in circles
Circumference and arc length
Quiz on Circles

All the "parts" of a circle, such as the radius, the diameter, etc., have a
relationship with the circle or another "part" that can always be expressed
as a theorem. The two theorems that deal with chords and radii (plural of
radius) are outlined below.

1. If a radius of a circle is perpendicular to a chord, then the radius bisects

the chord.
Here's a graphical representation of this theorem:

2. In a circle or in congruent circles, if two chords are the same distance

from the center, then they are congruent.

Using these theorems in action is seen in the example below:

1. Problem: Find CD.

 Given: Circle R is congruent to circle S.
Chord AB = 8.
RM = SN.

Solution: By theorem number 2 above, segment AB is

congruent to segment CD. Therefore, CD
equals 8.

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Oh, the wonderfully confusing world of geometry! :-) The tangent being
discussed here is not the trigonometric ratio. This kind of tangent is a line
or line segment that touches the perimeter of a circle at one point only and
is perpendicular to the radius that contains the point.

1. Problem: Find the value of x.

Given: Segment AB is tangent to

circle C at B.
 Solution: x is a radius of the circle.
Since x contains B, and AB
is a tangent segment, x must be
perpendicular to AB (the definition of
a tangent tells us that).

If it is perpendicular, the triangle

formed by x, AB, and CA is a right
triangle.

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to

solve for x.

152 + x2 = 172
x2 = 64
x = 8

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Congruent arcs are arcs that have the same degree measure and are in the
same circle or in congruent circles.

Arcs are very important and let us find out a lot about circles. Two
theorems involving arcs and their central angles are outlined below.

1. For a circle or for congruent circles, if two minor arcs are congruent,
then their central angles are congruent.

2. For a circle or for congruent circles, if two central angles are congruent,
then their arcs are congruent.

Example:
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An inscribed angle is an angle with its vertex on a circle and with sides that
contain chords of the circle. The figure below shows an inscribed angle.
The most important theorem dealing with inscribed angles is stated below.

The measure of an inscribed angle is equal to one-half the degree measure

of its intercepted arc.

1. Problem: Find the measure of each arc or

angle listed below.
arc QSR angle Q angle R

Solution: Arc QSR is 180o because it is

twice the measure of its inscribed
angle (angle QPR, which is 90o).

Angle Q is 60o because it is

half of its intercepted arc,
which is 120o.

Angle R is 30o by the Triangle

Sum Theorem which says a triangle
has three angles which have measures
that equal 180o when added
together.

In the last problem's figure, you noticed that angle P is inscribed in

semicircle QPR and angle P = 90o. This leads us to our next theorem, which
is stated below.

Any angle inscribed in a semicircle is a right angle.

The one last theorem dealing with inscribed angles is a bit more
complicated because it deals with quadrilaterals, too. It is stated below.
If a quadrilateral is inscribed in a circle, then both pairs of opposite angles
are supplementary.

1. Problem: Find the measure of arc GDE.

Solution: By the theorem stated above, angle D

and angle F are supplementary. Therefore,
angle F equals 95o. The first theorem
discussed in this section tells us the
measure of an arc is twice that of its
inscribed angle. With that theorem,
arc GDE is 190o.

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When two secants intersect inside a circle, the measure of each angle
formed is related to one-half the sum of the measures of the intercepted
arcs. The figure below shows this theorem in action.
In the figure, arc AB and arc CD are 60o and 50o, respectively. By the above
stated theorem, the measures of both angle 1 and angle 2 in the figure are
55o.

Sometimes, secants intersect outside of circles. When this happens, the

measure of the angle formed is equal to one-half the difference of the
degree measures of the intercepted arcs.

1. Problem: Find the measure of angle 1.

Givens: Arc AB = 60o

Arc CD = 100o

Solution: By the theorem stated above, the measure

of angle 1 = .5((arc CD) - (arc AB))

angle 1 = .5((100 - 60))

angle 1 = 20o

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Another way secants can intersect in circles is if they are only in line
segments. There is a theorem that tells us when two chords intersect inside
a circle, the product of the measures of the two segments of one chord is
equal to the product of the measures of the two segments of the other
chord. In the figure below, chords PR and QS intersect. By the theorem
stated above, PT * TR = ST * TQ.

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One last thing that has to be discussed when dealing with circles is
circumference, or the distance around a circle. The circumference of a circle
equals 2 times PI times the measure of the radius. That postulate is usually
represented by the following equation (where C represents circumference
and r stands for radius): C = 2(PI)r.

For example, if a circle has a radius of 3, the circumference of the circle is

6(PI).

Also, you can find the length of any arc when you know its degree measure
and the measure of a radius with the following formula (L = length, n =
degree measure of arc, r = radius): L = (n/360)(2(PI)r).

1. Problem: Find the length of a 24o arc of

a circle with a 5 cm radius.
 Solution: n 24 2(PI)
L = ---(2(PI)r) = ---(2(PI))5 = -----
360 360 3

The length of the arc is (2/3)(PI) cm.

10.

On this page, we hope to clear up problems that you might have with area
of polygons. The way it is laid out is as follows: Throughout our math
experience, we have found it would be nice to have a comprehensive listing
of all the different formulas you need to know to find the area of polygons.
We have done that with one significant addition - figures that help make the
formula actually make sense! Scroll down or click one of the links below to
start understanding how to find the area of polygons!
Rectangles
Squares
Triangles
Parallelograms
Rhombuses
Trapezoids
Circles and sectors
Other polygons
Quiz on Area
Rectangle Area Postulate

The area A of any rectangle is equal to the product of the length l and the
width w.

Formula: A = lw

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Square Area Theorem

The area A of any square is equal to the square of the length s of a side.

Formula: A = s2

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Triangle Area Theorem

The area A of any triangle is equal to one-half the product of any base b and
corresponding height h.
Formula: A = .5bh

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Parallelogram Area Theorem

The area A of any parallelogram is equal to the product of any base b and
the corresponding height h.

Formula: A = bh

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Rhombus Area Theorem

The area A of any rhombus is equal to one-half the product of the lengths d1
and d2 of its diagonals.

Formula: A = .5d1d2
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Trapezoid Area Theorem

The area A of any trapezoid is equal to one-half the product of the height h
and the sum of the bases, b1 and b2.

Formula: A = .5h(b1 + b2)

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Circle Area Postulate

The area A of any circle is equal to the product of PI and the square of the
radius r.

Formula: A = (PI)r2
Sector Area Theorem

The area A of any sector with an arc that has degree measure n and with
radius r is equal to the product of the arc's measure divided by 360
multiplied by PI times the square of the radius.

Formula: A = (n/360)((PI)r2)

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Regular polygons are any polygons that are equilateral and equiangular.

Regular Polygon Area Theorem

The area A of any regular polygon with perimeter P and apothem of

measure a is equal to one-half the product of the perimeter and the
apothem.

Formula: A = .5aP