Unit–10 Tangent to a Circle

Tangent Line (K.B) Length of Tangent (K.B)

(LHR 2014, 15, GRW 2014, FSD 2014,
(SWL 2014, RWP 2015, D.G.K 2014, 15)
BWP 2015, SWL 2014, SGD 2014)
A line which has one point common with a If a tangent is drawn from a point out side a
circle is called tangent line. circle, then distance between that point and
Or the point of contact of the circle is called
A straight line which touches the
circumference of circle at one point only is length of tangent.
called tangent line.

In the figure mPA  mPB is length of

tangent.
Concentric Circles (K.B)
In the figure PIQ is tangent line.
Circles having same centres and different
Secant Line (K.B) radii are called concentric circles.
(FSD 2015, SGD 2014, 15, RWP 2014,
D.G.K 2014)
A line which has two points common with a
circle is called secant line.
Or
A straight line which cuts the circumference
of a circle at two points.

In the above figure, circles having centre O

are concentric circles.

In the figure, PQ is secant line.

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Theorem 1 (A.B)
10.1(i)
Statement:
If a line is drawn perpendicular to a radial
segment of a circle at its outer end point, it is
tangent to the circle at that point.
Given:
A circle with centre O and OC is the radial
segment. AB is perpendicular to OC at its outer
end C.
To Prove:
AB is a tangent to the circle at C
Construction:
Take any point P other then C on AB . Join O with P.
Proof:
Statements Reasons
In OCP,
mOCP  90 AB  OC (given)
and mOPC  90 Acute angle of right angled Triangle.
Greater angle has greater side opposite to
mOP  mOC it.
 P is a point outside the circle. OC is the radial segment.
Similarly, every point on AB except C lies
outside the circle.
Hence AB intersects the circle at one point C
only.
i.e., AB is a tangent to the circle at one point
only.
Theorem 2 (A.B)
10.1(ii)
The tangent to a circle and the radial
segment, joining the point of contact and
the centre are perpendicular to each other.
Given:
In a circle with centre O and radius OC .
Also AB is the tangent to the circle at
point C.
To Prove:
AB and radial segment OC are
perpendicular to each other.
Construction:
Take any point P other then C on the tangent line AB . Join O with P so that OP meets
the circle at D.

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Proof:
Statements Reasons
AB is the tangent to the circle at point C. Whereas Given
OP cuts the circle at D. Construction
 mOC  mOD   i  Radii of the same circle
But mOD  mOP  ii  Point P is outside the circle.
 mOC  mOP Using (i) and (ii)
So radius OC is shortest of all lines that can be drawn
from O to the tangent line AB
Also OC  AB
Hence, radial segment OC is perpendicular to the
tangent AB .
Corollary (A.B + U.B)
There can only be one perpendicular draw to the radial segment OC at the point C of the
circle. It follows that one and only one tangent can be drawn to the circle at the given
point C on its circumference.
Theorem 3 (A.B)
10.1(iii)
Two tangents drawn to a circle from a point outside it, are equal in length.
Given:
Two tangents PA and PB are drawn from an external point P to the circle with centre O.
To Prove:
mPA  mPB
Construction:
Join O with A, B and P, so that we form
rt  s OAP and OBP.
Proof:
Statements Reasons
In rt  OAP  OBP
s

mOAP  mOBP  90 Radii  to the tangents PA and PB

hyp.OP  hyp.OP Common
mOA  mOB Radii of the same circle.
OAP  OBP rt  s H.S  H.S

Hence, mPA  mPB Corresponding sides of congruent triangles

Note
The length of a tangent to a circle is measured from the given point to the point of
contact.

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Unit–10 Tangent to a Circle

Corollary (A.B + U.B)

If O is the centre of a circle and two tangents PA and PB are drawn from an external
point P then OP is the right bisector of the chord of contact AB .
Exercise 10.1
Q.1 Prove that the tangents drawn at the ends of a diameter in a given
circle must be parallel. (A.B)
Given
In a circle with centre 'O', AB is a diameter, LM and PQ are two
tangents passing through point A and B.
To prove
LM PQ
Proof
Statements Reasons
OA and OB are radial segments Given
 mOAL  90   i  Tangent is  to a radial segment.
Similarly
 mOBQ  90   ii  As in (i)
 mOAL  mOBQ From is  i  and  ii 

Or LM PQ Alternate angles are congruent.

Q.2 The diameters of two concentric circles are 10 cm and 5 cm respectively. Look for
the length of any chord of the outer circle which touches the inner one. (A.B)
Solution:
From OCB,
 mBC    mOB   mOC   hyp    perp    base 
2 2 2 2 2 2

=  5    2.5 
2 2

= 25 – 6.25
= 18.75
Taking square root on both sides
mBC = 18.75
x  4.33
mAB  2x
= 2(4.33)
= 8.66 cm
 Length of chord = mAB = 8.66 cm

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Q.3 AB and CD are the common tangents drawn to the pair of circles. If A and C are the
points of tangency of 1st circle where B and D are the points of tangency of 2nd circle,
then prove that AC BD . (A.B)
Given
Two circles with centre P and Q. AB and
CD are common tangents of A is joined with C
and B with D.
To prove
AC BD
Construction
Join P with A and C and Q with B and D. Name the angles 1, 2, 3, 4 as shown in
the figure.
Proof
Statement Reasons
AP  AB  (i) Theorem 10.2
BQ  AB  (ii)
AP BQ From (i),(ii)
3  1  (iii) Corresponding angles
Similarly
4  2  (iv)
m3  m4  m1  m2 Adding (iii) and (iv)
mAPC  mBQD Sum of angles postulate
mAP mPC

mBQ mQD
 mPCA  mQDB
Hence AC BD
Theorem 4 (a) (A.B)
10.1(iv)
If two circles touch externally then the distance between their centers is equal to the
sum of their radii.
Given:
Two circles with centres D and F respectively touch each other
externally point C. So that CD and CF are respectively the
radii of the two circles.
To Prove:
Point C lies on the join of centres D and F and mDF  mDC  mCF
Construction:
Draw ACB as a common tangent to the pair of circles at C.

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Proof:
Statements Reasons
Both circles touch externally at C whereas
CD is radial segment and ACB is the
common tangent.
 mACD  90 (i) Radial segment CD  the Tangent line AB
Similarly CF is radial segment
and ACB is the common tangent
 mACF  90(ii) Radial segment CF  the tangent line AB
mACD  mACF  90  90 Adding (i) and (ii)
mDCF  180(iii) Sum of supplementary adjacent angles.
Hence DCF is a line segment with point C
between D and F
and mDF  mDC  mCF

Exercise 10.2
Q.1 AB and CD are two equal chords in a circle with centre O.H and K are respectively
the midpoints of the chords. Prove that HK makes equal angles with AB AND CD .
(A.B)
Given
In a circle with centre ' O ' , H and K are midpoints of
chord AB and CD respectively.
Solution
mAB  mCD
To prove
mBKH  mDHK
Construction
Join O to H and K and name the angles as shown in the figure.
Proof
Statements Reasons
mOH  mOK 
(Given) AB  CD 
Also mOHD  mOKB  90   i 
1  2   ii  Angles opposite to congruent sides
mBKH  mBKO  m1
 90  m1   iii 
mDHK  mDHO  m2
 90  m2
 90  m1   iv  From (ii)
 mBKH  mDHK From (iii) and (iv)

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Q.2 The radius of a circle is 2.5m. AB and CD are two chords 3.9 cm apart.
If m AB  1.4cm , then find the measurement of other chord. (A.B)
Solution:
In a circle with centre ‘O’ , AB and CD are two chords and distance between then PQ is
3.9cm.
1.4
From the fig, AP = = 0.7 OP  AB
2
From  OAP,
 mOP  =  mOA    mAP 
2 2 2

=  2.5    0.7 
2 2

= 6.25 – 0.49
= 5.76
Taking square root
mOP = 5.76
 mOP = 2.4
mOQ = mPQ  mOP
= 3.9 – 2.4
= 1.5 cm
From OCQ,
 mCQ    mOC    mOQ 
2 2 2

 mCQ    2.5  1.5

2 2 2

= 6.25 – 2.25
=4
Taking square root
mCQ =2
Since chord CD  2mCQ
= 2(2)
=4
Result:
Length of other chord mCD  4cm
Q.3 The radii of two intersecting circles are 10 cm and 8 cm. If the length of their
common chord is 6cm then find the distance between the centers. (A.B)
Solution:
In ACP
 m AC    m AP    mPC 
2 2 2

 m AC   10    3
2 2 2

 m AC   100  9
2

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Unit–10 Tangent to a Circle

 mAC 
2
 91

 m AC 
2
 91
In BCP
 mBC    mBP    mPC   hypotenuse    perpendicular    base 
2 2 2 2 2 2

 mBC   8   3
2 2 2

 mBC   64  9
2

 mBC   55
2

 mBC   55
2

Distance between centers = mAB  mAC  mBC

= 91  55
= 16.96 cm
Q.4 Show that greatest chord in a circle is its diameter. (A.B)
In a circle with centre. ‘O’
Given
AB is a diameter and CD is a chord.
To prove
mAB  mCD
Construction
Draw OL  CD and join O to C.
Proof
Statements Reasons
OL  CD Construction
 L is midpoint of CD . Perpendicular drawn from centre bisect the chord.
In OLC
mOLC  90 OL  CD
mCOL90 Acute angle of right triangle
 mOLC  mCOL From (i) and (ii)
 mOC  mCL Side opposite to greater angle
2mOC  2mCL Multiply by ‘2’
Diameter  mCD L is midpoint of CD
 mAB  mCD (Proved)

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Theorem 4 (b) (A.B)

10.1(v)
If two circles touch each other internally, then the point of contact lies
on the line segment through their centres and distance between their
centres is equal to the difference of their radii.
Given:
Two circles with centres D and F touch each other
Internally at point C. So that CD and CF are the radii of two circles.
To Prove:
Point C lies on the join of centres D and F extended and mDF  mDC  mCF
Construction:
Draw ACB as the common tangent to the pair of circles at C.
Proof:
Statements Reasons
Both circles touch internally at C whereas ACB
is the common tangent and CD is the radial
segment
Of the first circle.
Radial segment CD  the tangent line
 mACD  90 (i)
AB
Similarly ACB is the common tangent and CF
is the radial segment of the second circle.

Radial segment CF  the tangent line

 mACF  90 (ii)
AB
 mACD  mACF  90 Using (i) and (ii)
Where ACD and ACF coincide each other
with point F between D and C.
Hence mDC  mDF  mFC
i.e.,mDC  mFC  mDF
Or mDF  mDC  mFC
Exercise 10.3
Q.1 Two circles with radii 5cm and 4cm touch each other externally. Draw another circle
with radius 2.5cm touching the first pair, externally. (A.B)
To construct
A circle of radius 2.5cm touching given two circles externally.
Construction
Steps of construction
(i) With centre A, draw an arc of radius 7.5cm  5  2.5  7.5
(ii) With centre B, draw an arc of radius
(iii) Both arcs cut each other at point C.
(iv) With centre C, draw a circle of radius 2.5cm .

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Q.2 If the distance between the centres 6.5cm  4  2.5  6.5 of two circles is the sum or
the difference of their radii they will touch each other. (A.B)
Solution:
(i) Given
Two circles with centres C1 and C 2 , radii of measure r1 and r2
such that mC1C2  r1  r2
To prove
Circles touch each other externally
Construction
Draw TS tangent to the circle with centre C1 at A
Proof
Statements Reasons
TA is tangent to circle 3with centre C1
 mC1 AT  90
mC2 AT  180  90 C1 AC2 is a straight line
mC2 AT  90
TA is perpendicular to radial segment AC2
So TA is tangent to the circle with centre C 2
TA is common tangent at A
Hence circles touch each other externally
(ii) Given (A.B)
Two circles with centres C1 and C 2 , radii r1 and r2 such that mC1C2  r1  r2
To prove
Circles touch each other internally
Construction
Produce C1C2 to meet the circle with centre C1 at L
Draw TS tangent to the circle with centre C1 at L
Proof
Statements Reasons
As TLS is tangent to the circle with centre C1 Construction
C1L  TL Tangent  radial segment
 mC1LT  90
But C1C2 L is a straight line
 mC2 LT  90
i.e C2 L  TL
 TS is tangent to the circle with centre C 2
 TL is common tangent
Hence circles touch each other internally

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Miscellaneous Exerciser 10
Q.1 Multiple choice questions
Four possible answers are given for the following question. Tick () the correct answer.
(i) In the adjacent figure of the circle, the line PTQ is named as (K.B)

(a) An arc (b) A chord

(c) A tangent (d) A secant
(ii) In a circle with centre O ,if OT is the radial segment and PTQ is the segment line, then
(K.B)

(a) OT  PQ (b) OT  PQ
(c) OT PQ (d) OT is right bisector of PQ
(iii) In the adjacent figure, find semicircular area if  3.1416 and mOA  20cm . (K.B)
(GRW 2014)

(a) 62.83sq cm (b) 314.16sq cm

(c) 436.20sq cm (d) 628.32sq cm
(iv) In the adjacent figure, find half the perimeter of circle with centre O if  3.1416
and mOA  20cm . (RWP 2015) (K.B)

(a) 31.42cm (b) 62.832cm

(c) 125.65cm (d) 188.50cm
(v) A line which has two points in common with a circle is called: (K.B)
(a) Sine of a circle (b) Cosine of a circle
(c) Tangent of a circle (d) Secant of a circle
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(vi) A line which has only one point in common with a circle is called: (K.B) (D.G.K 2014)
(a) Sine of a circle (b) Cosine of circle
(c) Tangent of a circle (d) Secant of a circle
(vii) Two tangents drawn to a circle from a point outside it are of … in length. (K.B)
(a) Half (b) Equal
(c) Double (d) Triple
(viii) A circle has only one: (K.B)
(a) Secant (b) Chord
(c) Diameter (d) Centre
(ix) A tangent line intersects the circle at: (K.B)
(a) Three points (b) Two points
(c) Single point (d) No point at all
(x) Tangents drawn at the ends of diameter of a circle are … to each other. (K.B)
(LHR 2015)
(a) Parallel (b) Non-parallel
(c) Collinear (d) Perpendicular
(xi) The distance between the centres of two congruent touching circles externally is: (K.B)
(a) Of zero length (b) The Radius of each circle
(c) The diameter of each circle (d) Twice the diameter of each circle
(xii) In the adjacent circular figure with centre O and radius 5cm , the length of the chord
intercepted at 4cm away from the centre of this circle is: (K.B)

(a) 4cm (b) 6cm

(c) 7cm (d) 9cm
(xiii) In the adjoining figure, there is a circle with centre O . If DC diameter AB and
mAOC  120 , then mACD is: (K.B)

(a) 40 (b) 30

(c) 50 (d) 60
ANSWER KEY
i c iv b vii b x a xiii b
ii a v d viii d xi c
iii d vi c ix c xii b

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