This lab is to become familar with the definitions of the terms associated with circles.
Click here for a demonstration of this definition.
Write a definition for each term by looking at the examples and non-examples of each.
1. Diameter-
Diameters:
Not Diameters:
2. Chord-
Chords:
Not Chords:
3. Secant-
Secants:
Not Secants:
4. Tangent-
Tangents:
Not Tangents:
5. Central Angle-
Central Angles:
Not Central Angles:
6. Inscribed Angle-
Inscribed Angles:
Not Inscribed Angles:
7. Concentric Circles-
Concentric Circles:
Not Concentric Circles:
8. Congruent Circles-
Congruent Circles:
Not Congruent Circles:
Exercises: Using your definitions from above, Construct each of the following on one large circle in Geometer's Sketchpad. Be sure to label all parts of your circle. Click here to begin your picture.
If you move any of the above points, does each stay consistent with its definition?
If the endpoints of the arc are the endpoints of a diameter, then the arc is a semicircle. If the arc is smaller than a semicircle, then the arc is a minor arc. If the arc is larger than a semicircle, then the arc is a major arc.
Sketch:
In Sketchpad, do the following construction of arcs.
Construct a circle. Construct a diameter. Construct two points on the circle, both on the same side of the diameter. Select the three points of the semicircle (be sure to go in consecutive order) and in the construct menu make an arc through three points. Only half of the circle should be highlighted. This is your semicircle. Do the same to construct minor arc and a major arc with the same enpoints (note that when constructing a minor arc you still need three points, but to name it you only use two). You can measure the arc angle or arc length, we will only be using arc angle. Measure all three of your arcs.