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IEB · Grade 12 · Mathematics

Paper 2 · Euclidean geometry

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IEB Grade 12 Euclidean Geometry Cheat Sheet

Euclidean geometry is about 40 marks of Paper 2. Every statement needs a reason, so this sheet gives the accepted short form for each.

Circle theorems (reason in brackets)

  • Line from centre perpendicular to a chord bisects it (line from centre ⊥ chord).

  • Line from centre to midpoint of a chord is perpendicular to it (line from centre to midpt of chord).

  • Angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference (∠ at centre =2×∠ at circumference).

  • Angles in the same segment are equal (∠s in the same seg).

  • Angle in a semicircle is 90° (∠ in semi-circle).

  • Equal chords subtend equal angles (equal chords; equal ∠s).

Cyclic quadrilaterals and tangents

  • Opposite angles add to 180° (opp ∠s of cyclic quad).

  • Exterior angle equals interior opposite angle (ext ∠ of cyclic quad).

  • Prove cyclic with a converse: opp ∠s supplementary, ext ∠ = int opp ∠, or equal angles on the same side.

  • Tangent is perpendicular to the radius (tan ⊥ radius).

  • Tangents from a common point are equal (tans from common pt).

  • Tangent-chord angle equals the angle in the alternate segment (tan chord theorem).

Proportion and similarity

  • Line parallel to one side divides the other two in proportion (line ∥ one side of △; name the lines).

  • Midpoint theorem: joins midpoints, parallel to and half the third side (midpt theorem).

  • Equal heights: area ratio = base ratio.

  • Equiangular triangles are similar (reason: equiangular △s); then sides are in proportion (reason: ∣∣∣ △s).

  • Altitude in a right triangle: AB2=AD⋅AC, BD2=AD⋅DC.

  • 'Hence prove' a product: cross-multiply the ratio from the similar triangles.

Examinable proofs

  • From Grade 11 (acute-angle case): line from centre to midpoint of chord is ⊥ chord; angle at centre; opposite angles of a cyclic quad; tan-chord.

  • From Grade 12: proportionality; equiangular triangles are similar; the perpendicular from the right angle to the hypotenuse gives similar triangles.

  • Converses are not examinable as proofs. No concurrency and no proof by contradiction.

Know by heart

  • All reasons in their accepted short form

  • The seven examinable proofs with their constructions

On the formula sheet

  • Nothing; all theorems and reasons must be known

Common traps

  • Statements without reasons lose marks.

  • Using cyclic quad properties before proving the quad is cyclic.

  • Naming similar triangles in the wrong order.

  • Assuming a line is a diameter or tangent because it looks like one.

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