Exercise: 10.

1 (Page No: 209)

1. How many tangents can a circle have?

Answer:

There can be infinite tangents to a circle. A circle is made up of infinite points which
are at an equal distance from a point. Since there are infinite points on the
circumference of a circle, infinite tangents can be drawn from them.

2. Fill in the blanks.

(i) A tangent to a circle intersects it in …………… point(s).

(ii) A line intersecting a circle in two points is called a ………….

(iii) A circle can have …………… parallel tangents at the most.

(iv) The common point of a tangent to a circle and the circle is called …………

Answer:

(i) A tangent to a circle intersects it in one point(s).

(ii) A line intersecting a circle in two points is called a secant.

(iii) A circle can have two parallel tangents at the most.

(iv) The common point of a tangent to a circle and the circle is called the point of
contact.

3. A tangent PQ at a point P of a circle of radius 5 cm meets a line through the

centre O at

a point Q so that OQ = 12 cm. Length PQ is:

(A) 12 cm

(B) 13 cm

(C) 8.5 cm

(D) √119 cm
Answer:

In the above figure, the line that is drawn from the centre of the given circle to the
tangent PQ is perpendicular to PQ.

And so, OP ⊥ PQ

Using Pythagoras’ theorem in triangle ΔOPQ, we get,

OQ2 = OP2+PQ2

(12)2 = 52+PQ2

PQ2 = 144-25

PQ2 = 119

PQ = √119 cm

So, option D, i.e., √119 cm, is the length of PQ.

4. Draw a circle and two lines parallel to a given line such that one is a tangent
and the

other, a secant to the circle.

Answer:
In the above figure, XY and AB are two parallel lines. Line segment AB is the tangent
at point C, while line segment XY is the secant.

Exercise: 10.2 (Page NO: 213)

In Q.1 to 3, choose the correct option and give a justification.

1. From point Q, the length of the tangent to a circle is 24 cm, and the distance
of Q from the centre is 25 cm. The radius of the circle is

(A) 7 cm

(B) 12 cm

(C) 15 cm

(D) 24.5 cm

Answer:

First, draw a perpendicular from the centre O of the triangle to a point P on the circle,
which is touching the tangent. This line will be perpendicular to the tangent of the
circle.
So, OP is perpendicular to PQ, i.e., OP ⊥ PQ

From the above figure, it is also seen that △OPQ is a right-angled triangle.

It is given that

OQ = 25 cm and PQ = 24 cm

By using Pythagoras’ theorem in △OPQ,

OQ2 = OP2 +PQ2

(25)2 = OP2+(24)2

OP2 = 625-576

OP2 = 49

OP = 7 cm

So, option A, i.e., 7 cm, is the radius of the given circle.

2. In Fig. 10.11, if TP and TQ are the two tangents to a circle with centre O so
that ∠POQ = 110°, then ∠PTQ is equal to

(A) 60°

(B) 70°

(C) 80°

(D) 90°

Answer:

From the question, it is clear that OP is the radius of the circle to the tangent PT, and
OQ is the radius to the tangent TQ.
So, OP ⊥ PT and TQ ⊥ OQ

∴ ∠OPT = ∠OQT = 90°

Now, in the quadrilateral POQT, we know that the sum of the interior angles is 360°.

So, ∠PTQ+∠POQ+∠OPT+∠OQT = 360°

Now, by putting the respective values, we get

∠PTQ +90°+110°+90° = 360°

∠PTQ = 70°

So, ∠PTQ is 70° which is option B.

3. If tangents PA and PB from a point P to a circle with centre O are inclined to

each other at an angle of 80°, then ∠ POA is equal to

(A) 50°

(B) 60°

(C) 70°

(D) 80°

Answer:

First, draw the diagram according to the given statement.

Now, in the above diagram, OA is the radius to tangent PA, and OB is the radius to
tangent PB.

So, OA is perpendicular to PA, and OB is perpendicular to PB, i.e., OA ⊥ PA and OB

⊥ PB.

So, ∠OBP = ∠OAP = 90°

Now, in the quadrilateral AOBP,

The sum of all the interior angles will be 360°.

So, ∠AOB+∠OAP+∠OBP+∠APB = 360°

Putting their values, we get

∠AOB + 260° = 360°

∠AOB = 100°

Now, consider the triangles △OPB and △OPA. Here,

AP = BP (Since the tangents from a point are always equal)

OA = OB (Which are the radii of the circle)

OP = OP (It is the common side)

Now, we can say that triangles OPB and OPA are similar using SSS congruency.

∴ △OPB ≅ △OPA
So, ∠POB = ∠POA

∠AOB = ∠POA+∠POB

2 (∠POA) = ∠AOB

By putting the respective values, we get

=>∠POA = 100°/2 = 50°

As the angle ∠POA is 50°, option A is the correct option.

4. Prove that the tangents drawn at the ends of a diameter of a circle are
parallel.

Answer:

First, draw a circle and connect two points, A and B, such that AB becomes the
diameter of the circle. Now, draw two tangents, PQ and RS, at points A and B,
respectively.

Now, both radii, i.e. AO and OB, are perpendicular to the tangents.

So, OB is perpendicular to RS, and OA is perpendicular to PQ.

So, ∠OAP = ∠OAQ = ∠OBR = ∠OBS = 90°

From the above figure, angles OBR and OAQ are alternate interior angles.
Also, ∠OBR = ∠OAQ and ∠OBS = ∠OAP (Since they are also alternate interior
angles)

So, it can be said that line PQ and line RS will be parallel to each other (Hence
Proved).

5. Prove that the perpendicular at the point of contact to the tangent to a circle
passes through the centre.

Solution:

Let, O is the centre of the given circle.

A tangent PR has been drawn touching the circle at point P.

Draw QP ⊥ RP at point P, such that point Q lies on the circle.

∠OPR = 90° (radius ⊥ tangent)

Also, ∠QPR = 90° (Given)

∴ ∠OPR = ∠QPR

Now, the above case is possible only when centre O lies on the line QP.

Hence, perpendicular at the point of contact to the tangent to a circle passes through
the centre of the circle.

6. The length of a tangent from point A at a distance 5 cm from the centre of

the circle is 4 cm. Find the radius of the circle.

Answer:

Draw the diagram as shown below.

Here, AB is the tangent that is drawn on the circle from point A.

So, the radius OB will be perpendicular to AB, i.e., OB ⊥ AB

We know, OA = 5cm and AB = 4 cm

Now, In △ABO,

OA2 =AB2+BO2 (Using Pythagoras’ theorem)

52 = 42+BO2

BO2 = 25-16

BO2 = 9

BO = 3

So, the radius of the given circle, i.e., BO, is 3 cm.

7. Two concentric circles are of radii 5 cm and 3 cm. Find the length of the
chord of the larger circle which touches the smaller circle.

Answer:

Draw two concentric circles with the centre O. Now, draw a chord AB in the larger
circle, which touches the smaller circle at a point P, as shown in the figure below.
From the above diagram, AB is tangent to the smaller circle to point P.

∴ OP ⊥ AB

Using Pythagoras’ theorem in triangle OPA,

OA2= AP2+OP2

52 = AP2+32

AP2 = 25-9

AP = 4

Now, as OP ⊥ AB,

Since the perpendicular from the centre of the circle bisects the chord, AP will be
equal to PB.

So, AB = 2AP = 2×4 = 8 cm

So, the length of the chord of the larger circle is 8 cm.

8. A quadrilateral ABCD is drawn to circumscribe a circle (see Fig. 10.12).

Prove that AB + CD = AD + BC

Answer:

The figure given is:

From the figure, we can conclude a few points, which are

(i) DR = DS

(ii) BP = BQ

(iii) AP = AS

(iv) CR = CQ

Since they are tangents on the circle from points D, B, A, and C, respectively.

Now, adding the LHS and RHS of the above equations, we get,

DR+BP+AP+CR = DS+BQ+AS+CQ

By rearranging them, we get,

(DR+CR) + (BP+AP) = (CQ+BQ) + (DS+AS)

By simplifying,

AD+BC= CD+AB

9. In Fig. 10.13, XY and X′Y′ are two parallel tangents to a circle with centre O
and another tangent AB with the point of contact C intersecting XY at A and X
′Y′ at B. Prove that ∠ AOB = 90°.

Answer:

From the figure given in the textbook, join OC. Now, the diagram will be as
Now, the triangles △OPA and △OCA are similar using SSS congruency as

(i) OP = OC They are the radii of the same circle

(ii) AO = AO It is the common side

(iii) AP = AC These are the tangents from point A

So, △OPA ≅ △OCA

Similarly,

△OQB ≅ △OCB

So,

∠POA = ∠COA … (Equation i)

And, ∠QOB = ∠COB … (Equation ii)

Since the line POQ is a straight line, it can be considered as the diameter of the
circle.

So, ∠POA +∠COA +∠COB +∠QOB = 180°

Now, from equations (i) and equation (ii), we get,

2∠COA+2∠COB = 180°

∠COA+∠COB = 90°

∴ ∠AOB = 90°

10. Prove that the angle between the two tangents drawn from an external
point to a circle is supplementary to the angle subtended by the line segment
joining the points of contact at the centre.
Answer:

First, draw a circle with centre O. Choose an external point P and draw two tangents,
PA and PB, at point A and point B, respectively. Now, join A and B to make AB in a
way that subtends ∠AOB at the centre of the circle. The diagram is as follows:

From the above diagram, it is seen that the line segments OA and PA are
perpendicular.

So, ∠OAP = 90°

In a similar way, the line segments OB ⊥ PB and so, ∠OBP = 90°

Now, in the quadrilateral OAPB,

∴ ∠APB+∠OAP +∠PBO +∠BOA = 360° (since the sum of all interior angles will be
360°)

By putting the values, we get,

∠APB + 180° + ∠BOA = 360°

So, ∠APB + ∠BOA = 180° (Hence proved).

11. Prove that the parallelogram circumscribing a circle is a rhombus.

Answer:

Consider a parallelogram ABCD which is circumscribing a circle with a centre O.

Now, since ABCD is a parallelogram, AB = CD and BC = AD.
From the above figure, it is seen that,

(i) DR = DS

(ii) BP = BQ

(iii) CR = CQ

(iv) AP = AS

These are the tangents to the circle at D, B, C, and A, respectively.

Adding all these, we get

DR+BP+CR+AP = DS+BQ+CQ+AS

By rearranging them, we get

(BP+AP)+(DR+CR) = (CQ+BQ)+(DS+AS)

Again by rearranging them, we get

AB+CD = BC+AD

Now, since AB = CD and BC = AD, the above equation becomes

2AB = 2BC
∴ AB = BC

Since AB = BC = CD = DA, it can be said that ABCD is a rhombus.

12. A triangle ABC is drawn to circumscribe a circle of radius 4 cm such that

the segments BD and DC into which BC is divided by the point of contact D are
of lengths 8 cm and 6 cm, respectively (see Fig. 10.14). Find the sides AB and
AC.

Answer:

The figure given is as follows:

Consider the triangle ABC,

We know that the length of any two tangents which are drawn from the same point to
the circle is equal.

So,

(i) CF = CD = 6 cm

(ii) BE = BD = 8 cm

(iii) AE = AF = x

Now, it can be observed that,

(i) AB = EB+AE = 8+x

(ii) CA = CF+FA = 6+x

(iii) BC = DC+BD = 6+8 = 14

Now the semi-perimeter “s” will be calculated as follows

2s = AB+CA+BC

By putting the respective values, we get,

2s = 28+2x

s = 14+x

By solving this, we get,

= √(14+x)48x ……… (i)

Again, the area of △ABC = 2 × area of (△AOF + △COD + △DOB)

= 2×[(½×OF×AF)+(½×CD×OD)+(½×DB×OD)]

= 2×½(4x+24+32) = 56+4x …………..(ii)

Now from (i) and (ii), we get,

√(14+x)48x = 56+4x

Now, square both sides,

48x(14+x) = (56+4x)2

48x = [4(14+x)]2/(14+x)

48x = 16(14+x)

48x = 224+16x

32x = 224

x = 7 cm
So, AB = 8+x

i.e. AB = 15 cm

And, CA = x+6 =13 cm.

13. Prove that opposite sides of a quadrilateral circumscribing a circle subtend

supplementary angles at the centre of the circle.

Answer:

First, draw a quadrilateral ABCD which will circumscribe a circle with its centre O in a
way that it touches the circle at points P, Q, R, and S. Now, after joining the vertices
of ABCD, we get the following figure:

Now, consider the triangles OAP and OAS.

AP = AS (They are the tangents from the same point A)

OA = OA (It is the common side)

OP = OS (They are the radii of the circle)

So, by SSS congruency △OAP ≅ △OAS

So, ∠POA = ∠AOS

Which implies that∠1 = ∠8

Similarly, other angles will be

∠4 = ∠5

∠2 = ∠3

∠6 = ∠7

Now by adding these angles, we get

∠1+∠2+∠3 +∠4 +∠5+∠6+∠7+∠8 = 360°

Now by rearranging,

(∠1+∠8)+(∠2+∠3)+(∠4+∠5)+(∠6+∠7) = 360°

2∠1+2∠2+2∠5+2∠6 = 360°

Taking 2 as common and solving, we get

(∠1+∠2)+(∠5+∠6) = 180°

Thus, ∠AOB+∠COD = 180°

Similarly, it can be proved that ∠BOC+∠DOA = 180°

Therefore, the opposite sides of any quadrilateral which is circumscribing a given

circle will subtend supplementary angles at the centre of the circle.

Also Access

NCERT Exemplar for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10

CBSE Notes for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10

Circles
Chapter 10 Circles of NCERT Class 10 Maths is included in Unit 4 Geometry of the
CBSE Syllabus for 2023-24. The unit has a weightage of 22 marks allotted in the
Class 10 board examination. Unit 4 will have 4 MCQs carrying 4 marks, 2 short
answer questions carrying 6 marks and two long answer questions carrying 12
marks. Refer to the Maths NCERT Solutions for Class 10 to attain a grip on solving
problems using the concepts of this chapter.

Sub-topics of Class 10 Chapter 10 Circles

 Introduction to Circles
 Tangent to a circle
 Number of Tangents from a point on a circle
 Summary of the Whole Chapter

List of Exercises from Class 10 Maths Chapter 10 Circles

Exercise 10.1– 4 Questions, which include 1 short answer question, 1 fill in the
blanks question and 2 long answer questions

Exercise 10.2– 13 Questions, which include 10 long answer questions, 4 descriptive

type questions and 2 short answer questions

The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 will guide students to understand the concepts
involved in circles. They can refer to this for a better understanding of the concept.
This Solution will also aid them in scoring good marks in the examination.

Class 10 Maths Chapter 10 deals with the existence of the tangents to a circle and
some of the properties of a circle. Students are introduced to complex terms such as
tangents, tangents to a circle, and the number of tangents from a point on the circle.
This chapter seems very interesting due to the diagrams and involvement of
geometrical calculations.

These NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10 have some tricky concept
questions on circles that will help students to clear all their doubts when they study.
Students are recommended to study these solutions to know alternative calculation
methods.

Key Features of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter

10 Circles
 Provide answers to all the exercise questions in the NCERT Class 10 Maths textbook.
 Help to practise tricky questions, which will improve students’ understanding of the
topics.
 Cover the updated CBSE Syllabus and possible types of questions to be asked in the
examination.
 Help students to practise important drawings.
 Aid them in memorising important formulas and calculation methods.
BYJU’S provides NCERT Solutions, NCERT Exemplars, notes, textbooks, videos
and animations of all the subjects and classes. To access the study resources we
provide, register with BYJU’S website or download BYJU’S – The Learning App.

At BYJU’S, students can also access other study materials of the CBSE Board to
understand the types of questions which are crucial from the exam point of view.

 RD Sharma Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10

Frequently Asked Questions on NCERT Solutions for

Class 10 Maths Chapter 10
Q1

What are the key features of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths
Chapter 10?
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10 provide solutions to all the exercise questions
in the NCERT Class 10 Maths Chapter 10. They also help with practising tricky questions, which
will improve students’ understanding of the topics.
Q2

What are the main topics that are covered in NCERT Solutions for
Class 10 Maths Chapter 10?
The main topics that are covered in NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10 are the
introduction to circles, tangent to a circle, the number of tangents from a point on a circle and a
summary of the whole chapter.
Q3

Is it necessary to learn all the questions provided in NCERT Solutions

for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10?
Yes, you must learn all the questions provided in NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter
10 because these questions may appear in the CBSE board exams as well as in class tests. By
learning these questions, you will be ready for your upcoming exams.