Introduction to Circle Geometry

Learn and apply four basic circle facts — the angle in a semicircle is 90 degrees, the angle between a tangent and a radius is 90 degrees, angles in the same segment are equal, and the angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference on the same arc — to find missing angles in circle diagrams.

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Learning objective overview

Master Teaching Guide coverage for this objective.

Current NZC (2007)
  • GM6-4
New NZC (2026)
  • NZC26-P4-MEA-MEA-K-Y9-06
  • NZC26-P4-MEA-MEA-K-Y9-07
  • NZC26-P4-GEO-SHP-P-Y9-01

Resources

Terminology

  • circle
  • radius
  • tangent
  • arc
  • centre
  • semi-circle
  • circumference

Task goals

  • Name key parts of a circle, including the radius, diameter, and an arc.
  • State and apply the four basic circle facts to find a missing angle in a numeric example (angle in a semicircle, tangent-radius angle, angles in the same segment, angle at the centre versus circumference).
  • Complete each circle fact as a sentence (e.g. "the angle at the centre is ___ the angle at the circumference").
  • Use one of the four circle facts to set up and solve a simple linear equation for an unknown angle.
  • Explain or justify why a circle fact gives a particular result in a given situation, including why an alternative value is impossible.
  • Use one of the four circle facts to set up and solve a harder linear equation, including expressions with brackets or negative coefficients, for an unknown angle.
  • Critique a claim about circle angles with a supporting and a counter example, or reason through a multi-step problem that combines more than one circle fact.

Where this fits

What leads into this objective, and where it goes next.

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Introduction to Circle Geometry

Introduction to Circle Geometry

Know

The constant π is found by dividing a circle's circumference by its diameter.

Statement▸
Year 9 · Measurement · Measuring
NZC26-P4-MEA-MEA-K-Y9-06
Know

For a circle of radius r, the circumference is 2πr.

Statement▸
Year 9 · Measurement · Measuring
NZC26-P4-MEA-MEA-K-Y9-07

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