The diagram shows two circles, and , intersecting at and at . is a point on produced such that and are tangents to at and at respectively. is a straight line.

- ((i))
Prove that triangles and are similar.
- ((ii))
Name another pair of similar triangles and hence show that .
- ((iii))
If the line is perpendicular to , explain why a circle with as a diameter passes through and .
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Worked solution
9((i))
1. Identify the common angle in both triangles
(Common angle)
2. Use the alternate segment theorem to find a second pair of equal angles
Since is a tangent to circle at and is a chord, the angle between the tangent and the chord is equal to the angle in the alternate segment.
(Alternate segment theorem)
Since are collinear, is the same as .
Therefore, .
3. Conclude that the triangles are similar
Since two corresponding angles are equal, is similar to (AA similarity).
Triangles and are similar (AA similarity).
9((ii))
1. Identify the other pair of similar triangles
In and :
(Common angle)
(Alternate segment theorem for circle )
Therefore, is similar to .
2. Establish the relationship between the sides of the newly identified similar triangles
Since and are similar, the ratio of their corresponding sides is equal:
3. Use the result from part (i) to show $FD = FE$
From part (i), and are similar, so:
Since and , we have:
Since and are lengths, .
Triangles and are similar. Hence .
9((iii))
1. Deduce the angles at the intersection $B$.
Since the line is perpendicular to and they intersect at , we have and .
2. Use the similarity from part (i) to find $\angle FDA$.
From (i), is similar to .
Therefore, corresponding angles are equal: .
3. Use the similarity from part (ii) to find $\angle FEA$.
From (ii), is similar to .
Therefore, corresponding angles are equal: .
4. Conclude using circle properties.
Since and , the points and subtend a right angle from the line segment . By the converse of the angle in a semicircle theorem, a circle with diameter must pass through and .
Since and , by the converse of the angle in a semicircle theorem, and lie on the circle with diameter .
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