How can I prove that an angle in a semi-circle is always 90 degrees?

If we take the diameter of a circle and create an angle on the circumference at point C of the circle from the two points where the diameter meets the circumference (points A and B), the angle created will always equal 90 degrees. To prove this we can draw a line from point C to the centre (point O). We have now created two isosceles triangles (O,A,C) and (O,B,C). Therefore, angle OAC = angle OCA (we will call this angle x) and angle OBC = OBA (we will call this angle y).Our angle at point C, therefore is equal to x+y.We can now return to the original triangle (A,B,C) and using our triangle knowledge we can say:x+y+(x+y)=1802x+2y=180x+y=90

DW
Answered by David W. Maths tutor

4359 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Factorise 12x^2 - 20x + 3


Issy goes to buy some fruit. She has been told by one friend that 2 apples and 3 bananas costs £3.80. She has been told by another friend that 5 apples and a banana costs £3.65. what are the individual costs of an apple and a banana?


x = 0.436363636... . Prove algebraically that x can be written as 24/55.


Solve for x and y: 2x +5y + 5= 0 , 2y + 31= 5x


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning