Cyclic quadrilateral

Rarely Tested


If a quadrilateral has all its vertices on the circle and its opposite angles are supplementary (here x+y = 180°), then that quadrilateral is called a cyclic quadrilateral.

  • In a cyclic quadrilateral, the opposite angles are supplementary
  • Area of a cyclic quadrilateral is $$A$$ = $$\sqrt{(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)(s-d)} $$ where s=(a+b+c+d)/2
  • The exterior angle is equal to the opposite angle of its remote interior angle. (here ∠CBX = ∠ADC)
  • Area = 1/2 * One diagonal * Sum of perpendiculars drawn to the diagonal
  • Ptolemy's theorem states that the product of the diagonals equals the sum of the products of the opposite sides. AC*BD = AB*CD + AD*BC.
Question 1

4 chords AB,BC,CD and DA are drawn inside a circle such that the lengths of the chords are 14cm, 17cm, 18cm and 23cm respectively. What is the area of the quadrilateral so formed?

Question 2

In the given figure, $$\angle {QNR}$$ is $$130\,^{\circ}$$ then find $$\angle{Q}$$ + $$\angle {R}$$ ?

Question 3

In the given figure if Q is centre and $$\angle{MQN}$$ is 144$$^{\circ}$$ then find $$\angle{MON}$$ ?

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