Relative Sizes of Angles in Segments
Theorem
In a circle:
- the angle in a semicircle is right
- the angle in a segment greater than a semicircle is acute
- the angle in a segment less than a semicircle is obtuse.
Further:
- the angle of a segment greater than a semicircle is obtuse
- the angle of a segment less than a semicircle is acute.
In the words of Euclid:
- In a given circle the angle in a semicircle is right, that in a greater segment less than a right angle, and that in a less segment greater than a right angle, and further the angle of the greater segment is greater than a right angle, and the angle of the less segment less than a right angle.
(The Elements: Book $\text{III}$: Proposition $31$)
Proof
Let $ABCD$ be a circle whose diameter is $BC$ and whose center is $E$.
Join $AB$, $AC$, $AD$, $DC$ and $AE$.
Let $BA$ be produced to $F$.
Since $BE = EA$, from Isosceles Triangle has Two Equal Angles it follows that $\angle ABE = \angle BAE$.
Since $CE = EA$, from Isosceles Triangle has Two Equal Angles it follows that $\angle ACE = \angle CAE$.
So from $\angle BAC = \angle ABE + \angle ACE = \angle ABC + \angle ACB$.
But from Sum of Angles of Triangle Equals Two Right Angles $\angle FAC = \angle ABC + \angle ACB$.
So $\angle BAC = \angle FAC$, and so from Book I Definition 10 each one is a right angle.
So the angle in the semicircle $BAC$ is a right angle.
$\Box$
From Two Angles of Triangle are Less than Two Right Angles, in $\triangle ABC$, $\angle ABC + \angle BAC$ is less than two right angles.
As $\angle BAC$ is a right angle, it follows that $\angle ABC$ is less than a right angle.
It is also the angle in a segment $ABC$ greater than a semicircle.
Therefore the angle in a segment greater than a semicircle is acute.
$\Box$
We have that $ABCD$ is a cyclic quadrilateral.
From Opposite Angles of Cyclic Quadrilateral sum to Two Right Angles, $\angle ABC + \angle ADC$ equals two right angles.
As $\angle ABC$ is less than a right angle, it follows that $\angle ADC$ is greater than a right angle.
But $\angle ADC$ is the angle in a segment $ADC$ less than a semicircle.
Therefore the angle in a segment less than a semicircle is obtuse.
$\Box$
Since the angle contained by the straight lines $BA$ and $AC$ is a right angle, the angle contained by the arc $ABC$ and the straight line $AC$ is greater than a right angle.
So the angle of a segment greater than a semicircle is obtuse.
$\Box$
Since the angle contained by the straight lines $AC$ and $AF$ is a right angle, the angle contained by the arc $ADC$ and the straight line $AC$ is less than a right angle.
So the angle of a segment less than a semicircle is acute.
$\blacksquare$
Historical Note
This proof is Proposition $31$ of Book $\text{III}$ of Euclid's The Elements.
Sources
- 1926: Sir Thomas L. Heath: Euclid: The Thirteen Books of The Elements: Volume 2 (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Book $\text{III}$. Propositions