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In geometry, Thales's theorem states that if A, B, and C are distinct points on a circle where the line AC is a diameter, the angle ∠ ABC is a right angle. Thales's theorem is a special case of the inscribed angle theorem and is mentioned and proved as part of the 31st proposition in the third book of Euclid 's Elements . [ 1 ]
A special case of the theorem is Thales's theorem, which states that the angle subtended by a diameter is always 90°, i.e., a right angle. As a consequence of the theorem, opposite angles of cyclic quadrilaterals sum to 180°; conversely, any quadrilateral for which this is true can be inscribed in a circle.
By the power-of-a-point theorem, the product of lengths PM · PN for any ray PMN equals to the square of PT, the length of the tangent line segment (red). No tangent line can be drawn through a point within a circle, since any such line must be a secant line. However, two tangent lines can be drawn to a circle from a point P outside of the circle.
The intercept theorem, also known as Thales's theorem, basic proportionality theorem or side splitter theorem, is an important theorem in elementary geometry about the ratios of various line segments that are created if two rays with a common starting point are intercepted by a pair of parallels.
Circle theorem may refer to: Any of many theorems related to the circle; often taught as a group in GCSE mathematics. These include: Inscribed angle theorem. Thales' theorem, if A, B and C are points on a circle where the line AC is a diameter of the circle, then the angle ∠ABC is a right angle. Alternate segment theorem. Ptolemy's theorem.
It was published in Oxford in 1921, in two volumes titled Volume I, From Thales to Euclid and Volume II, From Aristarchus to Diophantus. It got positive reviews and is still used today. Ten years later, in 1931, Heath published A Manual of Greek Mathematics, a concise version of the two-volume History.
According to some historical sources the Greek mathematician Thales applied the intercept theorem to determine the height of the Cheops' pyramid. The following description illustrates the use of the intercept theorem to compute the height of the Cheops' pyramid. It does not however recount Thales' original work, which was lost.
Due to Thales' theorem C and the diameter form a right triangle with the line segment DC as its altitude, hence DC is the side of a square with the area of the rectangle. The method also allows for the construction of square roots (see constructible number ), since starting with a rectangle that has a width of 1 the constructed square will have ...