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In geometry, Thales's theorem states that if A, B, and C are distinct points on a circle where the line AC is a diameter, the angle ∠ ABC is a right angle. Thales's theorem is a special case of the inscribed angle theorem and is mentioned and proved as part of the 31st proposition in the third book of Euclid's Elements. [1]
The theorem can be reversed to say: for three circles intersecting at M, a line can be drawn from any point A on one circle, through its intersection C´ with another to give B (at the second intersection). B is then similarly connected, via intersection at A´ of the second and third circles, giving point C.
In Euclidean plane geometry, a tangent line to a circle is a line that touches the circle at exactly one point, never entering the circle's interior. Tangent lines to circles form the subject of several theorems , and play an important role in many geometrical constructions and proofs .
As another example, the inscribed angle theorem is the basis for several theorems related to the power of a point with respect to a circle. Further, it allows one to prove that when two chords intersect in a circle, the products of the lengths of their pieces are equal.
Secant-, chord-theorem. For the intersecting secants theorem and chord theorem the power of a point plays the role of an invariant: . Intersecting secants theorem: For a point outside a circle and the intersection points , of a secant line with the following statement is true: | | | | = (), hence the product is independent of line .
Circle theorem may refer to: Any of many theorems related to the circle; often taught as a group in GCSE mathematics. These include: Inscribed angle theorem. Thales' theorem, if A, B and C are points on a circle where the line AC is a diameter of the circle, then the angle ∠ABC is a right angle. Alternate segment theorem. Ptolemy's theorem.
Ptolemy's Theorem yields as a corollary a pretty theorem [2] regarding an equilateral triangle inscribed in a circle. Given An equilateral triangle inscribed on a circle and a point on the circle. The distance from the point to the most distant vertex of the triangle is the sum of the distances from the point to the two nearer vertices.
Pascal's original note [1] has no proof, but there are various modern proofs of the theorem. It is sufficient to prove the theorem when the conic is a circle, because any (non-degenerate) conic can be reduced to a circle by a projective transformation. This was realised by Pascal, whose first lemma states the theorem for a circle.