PRINCIPIA · THEOREM

Thales' theorem — the inscribed angle on a diameter is 90°

Depends on: inscribed angle = central angle / 2 (Central angle is twice the inscribed angle on the same arc).

Statement

Let O\odot O be any circle, ABAB one of its diameters, and CC any point on the circle other than AA and BB. Then the inscribed angle

ACB  =  90.\angle ACB \;=\; 90^\circ.

In other words, as CC slides along the circle (without coinciding with the endpoints), ACB\angle ACB is always a right angle — this is the famous Thales circle.

Circle \odot O, diameter AB, point C on the circle; \angle ACB = 90^\circ.

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