Question

Prove that opposite sides of a quadrilateral circumscribing a circle subtend supplementary angles at the
centre of the circle.
​

Answer 1

Answer:

Let ABCD be a quadrilateral circumscribing a circle with centre O.

Now join AO, BO, CO, DO.

From the figure, ∠DAO=∠BAO [Since, AB and AD are tangents]

Let ∠DAO=∠BAO=1

Also ∠ABO=∠CBO [Since, BA and BC are tangents]

Let ∠ABO=∠CBO=2

Similarly we take the same way for vertices C and D

Sum of the angles at the centre is 360

o

Recall that sum of the angles in quadrilateral, ABCD = 360

o

=2(1+2+3+4)=360

o

=1+2+3+4=180

o

In ΔAOB,∠BOA=180−(1+2)

In ΔCOD,∠COD=180−(3+4)

∠BOA+∠COD=360−(1+2+3+4)

=360

o

–180

o

=180

o

Since AB and CD subtend supplementary angles at O.

Thus, opposite sides of a quadrilateral circumscribing a circle subtend supplementary angles at the centre of the circle.

Answer 2

First draw a quadrilateral ABCD which will circumscribe a circle with its centre O in a way that it touches the circle at point P, Q, R, and S. Now, after joining the vertices of ABCD

Now, consider the triangles OAP and OAS,

AP = AS (They are the tangents from the same point A)

OA = OA (It is the common side)

OP = OS (They are the radii of the circle)

So, by SSS congruency △OAP ≅ △OAS

So, ∠POA = ∠AOS

Which implies that∠1 = ∠8

Similarly, other angles will be,

∠4 = ∠5

∠2 = ∠3

∠6 = ∠7

Now by adding these angles we get,

∠1+∠2+∠3 +∠4 +∠5+∠6+∠7+∠8 = 360°

Now by rearranging,

(∠1+∠8)+(∠2+∠3)+(∠4+∠5)+(∠6+∠7) = 360°

2∠1+2∠2+2∠5+2∠6 = 360°

Taking 2 as common and solving we get,

(∠1+∠2)+(∠5+∠6) = 180°

Thus, ∠AOB+∠COD = 180°

Similarly, it can be proved that ∠BOC+∠DOA = 180°

Therefore, the opposite sides of any quadrilateral which is circumscribing a given circle will subtend supplementary angles at the center of the circle.