Circles

Previous Years Questions

10.1 Introduction

MCQ
1. A chord of a circle of radius 10 cm subtends a right angle at its centre. The length of the chord (in
cm) is
(a) 5√2
(b) 10√2
(c)
√
(d) 10√3
(AI 2014)

10.2 Tangent to a Circle

MCQ
2. In the given figure, 𝑃𝑄 is tangent to the circle centred at O. If ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵 = 95∘, then the measure of
∠𝐴𝐵𝑄 will be

(a) 47.5∘
(b) 42.5∘
(c) 85∘
(d) 95∘

(2023)

3. In the given figure, 𝑇𝐴 is a tangent to the circle with centre 𝑂 such that 𝑂𝑇 = 4 cm, ∠𝑂𝑇𝐴 = 30∘,
then length of 𝑇𝐴 is
 (a) 2√3 cm
(b) 2 cm
(c) 2√2 cm
(d) √3 cm

(2023)

4. In the given figure, 𝑃𝑇 is a tangent at 𝑇 to the circle with centre 𝑂. If ∠𝑇𝑃𝑂 = 25∘, then 𝑥 is equal to

(a) 25∘
(b) 65∘
(c) 90∘
(d) 115∘

(2023)

5. The length of tangent drawn to a circle of radius 9 cm from a point 41 cm from the centre is
(a) 40 cm
(b) 9 cm
(c) 41 cm
(d) 50 cm
(2023)

6. In the given figure, 𝑂 is the centre of the circle and 𝑃𝑄 is the chord. If the tangent 𝑃𝑅 at 𝑃 makes an
angle of 50∘ with 𝑃𝑄, then the measure of ∠𝑃𝑂𝑄 is
(a) 50∘
(b) 40∘
(c) 100∘
 (d) 130∘

(2023)

7. In figure, 𝑃𝑄 is tangent to the circle with centre at 𝑂, at the point 𝐵. If ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵 = 100∘ , then ∠𝐴𝐵𝑃 is
equal to

(a) 50∘
(b) 40∘
(c) 60∘
(d) 80∘

(2020)

VSA (1 mark)
8. In the given figure, 𝑃𝑄 is a tangent at a point 𝐶 to a circle with centre 𝑂. If 𝐴𝐵 is a diameter and
∠𝐶𝐴𝐵 = 30∘, find ∠𝑃𝐶𝐴.

(Al 2016)

9. In the given figure, 𝐴𝑂𝐵 is a diameter of a circle with centre 𝑂 and 𝐴𝐶 is a tangent to the circle at 𝐴.
∠𝐵𝑂𝐶 = 130∘, then find ∠𝐴𝐶𝑂.
 (Foreign 2016)

10. In the given figure, 𝑃𝑄 is a chord of a circle with centre 𝑂 and 𝑃𝑇 is a tangent. If ∠𝑄𝑃𝑇 = 60∘, find
∠𝑃𝑅𝑄.

(AI 2015)

SA I (2 marks)
11. In Fig. 𝐴𝐵 is diameter of a circle centered at 𝑂. 𝐵𝐶 is tangent to the circle at 𝐵. If 𝑂𝑃 bisects the
chord 𝐴𝐷 and ∠𝐴𝑂𝑃 = 60∘, then find 𝑚∠𝐶.

(Term II, 2021-22)

12. In Fig. 𝑋𝐴𝑌 is a tangent to the circle centred at 𝑂. If ∠𝐴𝐵𝑂 = 40∘ , then find 𝑚∠𝐵𝐴𝑌 and 𝑚∠𝐴𝑂𝐵.
 (Term II, 2021-22)

13. In the given figure, 𝐴𝐵 is the diameter of a circle with centre 𝑂 and 𝐴𝑇 is a tangent. If ∠𝐴𝑂𝑄 = 58∘ ,
find ∠𝐴𝑇𝑄.

(Delhi 2015)

LA (4/5/6 marks)

(In this section, there are 3 case study/passage based questions. Each question is of 4 marks.)

14. Case Study: The discus throw is an event in which an athlete attempts to throw a discus. The athlete
spins anti-clockwise around one and a half times through a circle, then releases the throw. When
released, the discus travels along tangent to the circular spin orbit.

In the given figure, 𝐴𝐵 is one such tangent to a circle of radius 75 cm. Point 𝑂 is centre of the circle
and ∠𝐴𝐵𝑂 = 30∘ . 𝑃𝑄 is parallel to 𝑂𝐴.
 Based on above information:

(a) Find the length of 𝐴𝐵.

(b) Find the length of 𝑂𝐵.

(c) Find the length of 𝐴𝑃.

OR

Find the length of 𝑃𝑄.

(2023)

15. In Figure, two circles with centres at 𝑂 and 𝑂 of radii 2𝑟 and 𝑟 respectively, touch each other
internally at 𝐴. A chord 𝐴𝐵 of the bigger circle meets the smaller circle at 𝐶. Show that 𝐶 bisects 𝐴𝐵.

(Term II, 2021-22)

16. Prove that the tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius through the point of
contact.
(Delhi 2016, 2015, 2014, Al 2016, 2015, 2014, Foreign 2016, 2015, 2014)

17. In the given figure, two equal circles, with centres 𝑂 and 𝑂 touch each other at 𝑋. 𝑂𝑂 produced
meets the circle with centre 𝑂 at 𝐴. 𝐴𝐶 is tangent to the circle with centre 𝑂, at the point 𝐶. 𝑂 𝐷 is
perpendicular to 𝐴𝐶. Find the value of .
 (AI 2016)

18. Prove that the tangent drawn at the mid-point of an arc of a circle is parallel to the chord joining the
end points of the arc.
(Al 2015)

19. In the given figure, 𝑂 is the centre of the circle and 𝑇𝑃 is the tangent to the circle from an external
point 𝑇.

If ∠𝑃𝐵𝑇 = 30∘, prove that 𝐵𝐴: 𝐴𝑇 = 2: 1.

(Foreign 2015)

10.3 Number of Tangents from a Point on a Circle

MCQ
20. In figure, from an external point 𝑃, two tangents 𝑃𝑄 and 𝑃𝑅 are drawn to a circle of radius 4 cm with
centre 𝑂. If ∠𝑄𝑃𝑅 = 90∘, then length of 𝑃𝑄 is
(a) 3 cm

(b) 4 cm
 (c) 2 cm

(d) 2√2 cm

(2020)

21. In Figure, if tangents 𝑃𝐴 and 𝑃𝐵 from an external point 𝑃 to a circle with centre 𝑂, are inclined to
each other at an angle of 80∘, then ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵 is equal to

(a) 100∘
(b) 60∘
(c) 80∘
(d) 50∘

(2020)

22. In the given figure, 𝑄𝑅 is a common tangent to the given circles, touching externally at the point 𝑇.
The tangent at 𝑇 meets 𝑄𝑅 at 𝑃. If 𝑃𝑇 = 3.8 cm, then the length of 𝑄𝑅( in cm) is

(a) 3.8
(b) 7.6
(c) 5.7
(d) 1.9

(Delhi 2014)

23. In the given figure, 𝑃𝑄 and 𝑃𝑅 are two tangents to a circle with centre 𝑂. If ∠𝑄𝑃𝑅 = 46∘, then
∠𝑄𝑂𝑅 equals
(a) 67∘
 (b) 134∘

(c) 44∘

(d) 46∘

(Delhi 2014)

24. Two circles touch each other externally at 𝑃. 𝐴𝐵 is a common tangent to the circles touching them at
𝐴 and 𝐵. The value of ∠𝐴𝑃𝐵 is
(a) 30∘
(b) 45∘
(c) 60∘
(d) 90∘
(Al 2014)

25. In the given figure, a quadrilateral 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 is drawn to circumscribe a circle such that its sides
𝐴𝐵, 𝐵𝐶, 𝐶𝐷 and 𝐴𝐷 touch the circle at 𝑃, 𝑄, 𝑅 and 𝑆 respectively. If 𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥 cm, 𝐵𝐶 = 7 cm, 𝐶𝑅 =
3 cm and 𝐴𝑆 = 5 cm, find 𝑥.

(a) 10
(b) 9
(c) 8
(d) 7

(Foreign 2014)

26. Two concentric circles are of radii 5 cm and 3 cm. Length of the chord of the larger circle, (in cm ),
which touches the smaller circle is
(a) 4
(b) 5
 (c) 8
(d) 10
(Foreign 2014)

VSA (1 mark)
27. If tangents 𝑃𝐴 and 𝑃𝐵 from an external point 𝑃 to a circle with centre 𝑂 are inclined to each other at
an angle of 70∘, then find ∠𝑃𝑂𝐴.
(2021)

28. In figure, △ 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is circumscribing a circle, the length of 𝐵𝐶 is cm.

(2020)

29. If the angle between two tangents drawn from an external point 𝑃 to a circle of radius 𝑎 and centre 𝑂,
is 60∘ , then find the length of 𝑂𝑃.
(Al 2017)

30. From an external point 𝑃, tangents 𝑃𝐴 and 𝑃𝐵 are drawn to a circle with centre 𝑂. If ∠𝑃𝐴𝐵 = 50∘,
then find ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵.
(Delhi 2016)

31. In the given figure, 𝑃𝐴 and 𝑃𝐵 are tangents to the circle with centre 𝑂 such that ∠𝐴𝑃𝐵 = 50∘. Write
the measure of ∠𝑂𝐴𝐵.
 (Delhi 2015)

32. Two concentric circles of radii 𝑎 and 𝑏(𝑎 > 𝑏) are given. Find the length of the chord of the larger
circle which touches the smaller circle.
(Foreign 2015)

SA I (2 marks)
33. In Figure, 𝑃𝑄 and 𝑃𝑅 are tangents to the circle centred at 𝑂. If ∠𝑂𝑃𝑅 = 45∘, then prove that 𝑂𝑅𝑃𝑄
is a square.

(Term II, 2021-22)

34. In Fig., there are two concentric circles with centre 𝑂. If 𝐴𝑅𝐶 and 𝐴𝑄𝐵 are tangents to the smaller
circle from the point 𝐴 lying on the larger circle, find the length of 𝐴𝐶, if 𝐴𝑄 = 5 cm.

(Term II, 2021-22)

35. In Figure, 𝑂 is the centre of the circle. 𝑃𝑄 and 𝑃𝑅 are tangent segments. Show that the quadrilateral
𝑃𝑄𝑂𝑅 is cyclic.

(Term II, 2021-22)

36. In figure, a quadrilateral 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 is drawn to circumscribe a circle. Prove that 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐶𝐷 = 𝐵𝐶 + 𝐴𝐷

OR

A circle touches all the four sides of a quadrilateral 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷. Prove that

𝐴𝐵 + 𝐶𝐷 = 𝐵𝐶 + 𝐷𝐴

(Al 2017)

OR

In the given figure, a quadrilateral 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 is drawn to circumscribe a circle, with centre 𝑂, in such a
way that the sides 𝐴𝐵, 𝐵𝐶, 𝐶𝐷 and 𝐷𝐴 touch the circle at the points 𝑃, 𝑄, 𝑅 and 𝑆 respectively. Prove
that 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐶𝐷 = 𝐵𝐶 + 𝐷𝐴.

(Al 2016)

OR

A quadrilateral is drawn to circumscribe a circle. Prove that the sums of opposite sides are equal.
(Foreign 2014)

37. In figure, find the perimeter of △ 𝐴𝐵𝐶, if 𝐴𝑃 = 12 cm.

38. In figure, two tangents 𝑇𝑃 and 𝑇𝑄 are drawn to a circle with centre 𝑂 from an external point 𝑇. Prove
that ∠PTQ = 2∠OPQ.

(2020)

39. In the given figure, 𝑃𝐴 and 𝑃𝐵 are tangents to the circle from an external point 𝑃. CD is another
tangent touching the circle at 𝑄. If 𝑃𝐴 = 12 cm, 𝑄𝐶 = 𝑄𝐷 = 3 cm then find 𝑃𝐶 + 𝑃𝐷.

(Delhi 2017)

40. Prove that the tangents drawn at the end points of a chord of a circle make equal angles with the
chord.
(Al 2017)

41. In the given figure, a circle is inscribed in a △ 𝐴𝐵𝐶, such that it touches the sides 𝐴𝐵, 𝐵𝐶 and 𝐶𝐴 at
points 𝐷, 𝐸 and 𝐹 respectively. If the lengths of sides 𝐴𝐵, 𝐵𝐶 and 𝐶𝐴 are 12 cm, 8 cm and 10 cm
respectively, find the lengths of 𝐴𝐷, 𝐵𝐸 and 𝐶𝐹.
 (Delhi 2016)

42. In the given figure, 𝐴𝑃 and 𝐵𝑃 are tangents to a circle with centre 𝑂, such that 𝐴𝑃 = 5 cm and
∠𝐴𝑃𝐵 = 60∘.
Find the length of chord 𝐴𝐵.

(Delhi 2016)

43. In the given figure, from an external point 𝑃, two tangents 𝑃𝑇 and 𝑃𝑆 are drawn to a circle with
centre
𝑂 and radius 𝑟. If 𝑂𝑃 = 2𝑟, show that ∠𝑂𝑇𝑆 = ∠𝑂𝑆𝑇 = 30∘.

(Al 2016)

44. In the given figure, from a point 𝑃, two tangents 𝑃𝑇 and 𝑃𝑆 are drawn to a circle with centre 𝑂 such
that ∠𝑆𝑃𝑇 = 120∘. Prove that 𝑂𝑃 = 2𝑃𝑆.
 (Foreign 2016)

OR

If from an external point 𝑃 of a circle with centre 𝑂, two tangents 𝑃𝑄 and 𝑃𝑅 are drawn such that
∠𝑄𝑃𝑅 = 120∘, prove that 2𝑃𝑄 = 𝑃𝑂.

(Delhi 2014)

45. In the given figure, there are two concentric circles of radii 6 cm and 4 cm with centre 𝑂. If 𝐴𝑃 is a
tangent to the larger circle and 𝐵𝑃 to the smaller circle and length of 𝐴𝑃 is 8 cm,

find the length of 𝐵𝑃.

(Foreign 2016)

46. From a point 𝑇 outside a circle of centre 𝑂, tangents 𝑇𝑃 and 𝑇𝑄 are drawn to the circle. Prove that
𝑂𝑇 is the right bisector of line segment 𝑃𝑄.
(Delhi 2015)

47. In the given figure, two tangents 𝑅𝑄 and 𝑅𝑃 are drawn from an external point 𝑅 to the circle with
centre 𝑂. If ∠𝑃𝑅𝑄 = 120∘, then prove that 𝑂𝑅 = 𝑃𝑅 +𝑅𝑄.
(Al 2015)
48. In the given figure, a △ 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is drawn to circumscribe a circle of radius 3 cm, such that the segments
𝐵𝐷 and 𝐷𝐶 are respectively of lengths 6 cm and 9 cm. If the area of △ 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is 54 cm , then find the
lengths of sides 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶.

49. In the given figure 𝑂 is the centre of a circle. PT and PQ are tangents to the circle from an external
point 𝑃. If ∠𝑇𝑃𝑄 = 70∘, find ∠𝑇𝑅𝑄.

(Foreign 2015)

50. In the given figure 𝑃𝑄 is a chord of length 8 cm of a circle of radius 5 cm. The tangents at 𝑃 and 𝑄
intersect at a point 𝑇. Find the lengths of 𝑇𝑃 and 𝑇𝑄.

(Foreign 2015)

51. Prove that the line segment joining the points of contact of two parallel tangents of a circle, passes
through its centre.
(Delhi 2014)

52. In the given figure, common tangents 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐶𝐷 to the two circles with centres 𝑂 and 𝑂 intersect
at 𝐸. Prove that 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐶𝐷.
53. The incircle of an isosceles triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, in which 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐴𝐶, touches the sides 𝐵𝐶, 𝐶𝐴 and 𝐴𝐵 at
𝐷, 𝐸 and 𝐹 respectively. Prove that 𝐵𝐷 = 𝐷𝐶.
(Al 2014)

54. In the given figure, 𝑋𝑃 and 𝑋𝑄 are two tangents to the circle with centre 𝑂, drawn from an external
point 𝑋. 𝐴𝑅𝐵 is another tangent, touching the circle at 𝑅. Prove that 𝑋𝐴 + 𝐴𝑅 = 𝑋𝐵 + 𝐵𝑅.

SA II (3 marks)
55. Two tangents 𝑇𝑃 and 𝑇𝑄 are drawn to a circle with centre 𝑂 from an external point 𝑇. Prove that
∠𝑃𝑇𝑄 = 2∠𝑂𝑃𝑄

(2023)

OR

Two tangents 𝑇𝑃 and 𝑇𝑄 are drawn to a circle with centre 𝑂 from an external point 𝑇. Prove that
∠PTQ = 2∠OPQ

(Delhi 2017)
56. In the given figure, a circle is inscribed in a quadrilateral 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 in which ∠𝐵 = 90∘. If 𝐴𝐷 = 17 cm,
𝐴𝐵 = 20 cm and 𝐷𝑆 = 3 cm, then find the radius of the circle.

(2023)

57. From an external point, two tangents are drawn to a circle. Prove that the line joining the external
point to the centre of the circle bisects the angle between the two tangents.
(2023)

58. 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.
(2023)

59. 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.
(2023)

60. In the given figure, 𝑃𝑇 and 𝑃𝑆 are tangents to a circle with centre 𝑂, from a point 𝑃, such that 𝑃𝑇 =
4 cm and ∠𝑇𝑃𝑆 = 60∘. Find the length of the chord TS. Also, find the radius of the circle.

(2021)

61. In the given figure, a circle is inscribed in a △ 𝐴𝐵𝐶 having sides 𝐵𝐶 = 8 cm, 𝐴𝐵 = 10 cm and 𝐴𝐶 =
12 cm. Find the lengths 𝐵𝐿, 𝐶𝑀 and 𝐴𝑁.
 (Delhi 2019)

62. Prove that tangents drawn at the ends of a diameter of a circle are parallel.
(Al 2019, Delhi 2017, Foreign 2014)

LA (4 / 5 / 6 marks)
63. In Figure 𝑂 is centre of a circle of radius 5 cm. 𝑃𝐴 and 𝐵𝐶 are tangents to the circle at 𝐴 and 𝐵
respectively. If 𝑂𝑃 = 13 cm, then find the length of tangents 𝑃𝐴 and 𝐵𝐶.

(Term II, 2021-22)

64. In fig. 𝑃𝑄 is a chord of length 8 cm of a circle of radius 5 cm. The tangents at 𝑃 and 𝑄 meet at a
point 𝑇. Find the length of 𝑇𝑃.

(Term II, 2021-22)

65. Prove that a parallelogram circumscribing a circle is a rhombus.

66. In fig, if a circle touches the side 𝑄𝑅 of △ 𝑃𝑄𝑅 at 𝑆 and extended sides 𝑃𝑄 and 𝑃𝑅 at 𝑀 and 𝑁,
respectively, then
 Prove that 𝑃𝑀 = (𝑃𝑄 + 𝑄𝑅 + 𝑃𝑅)

(Term II, 2021-22)

67. In figure, a triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 with ∠𝐵 = 90∘ is shown. Taking 𝐴𝐵 as diameter, a circle has been drawn
intersecting 𝐴𝐶 at point 𝑃. Prove that the tangent drawn at point 𝑃 bisects 𝐵𝐶.

(Term II, 2021-22)

68. In figure, two circles touch externally at 𝑃. A common tangent touches them at 𝐴 and 𝐵 and another
common tangent is at 𝑃, which meets the common tangent 𝐴𝐵 at C. Prove that ∠𝐴𝑃𝐵 = 90∘.

(Term II, 2021-22)

69. Prove that the length of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.
(2018, Delhi 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, Al 2017, 2016, 2015, Foreign 2016, 2015, 2014)

70. In the given figure, 𝑋𝑌 and 𝑋 𝑌 are two parallel tangents to a circle with centre 𝑂 and another
tangent 𝐴𝐵 with point of contact 𝐶, is intersecting 𝑋𝑌 at 𝐴 and 𝑋 𝑌 at 𝐵. Prove that ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵 = 90∘ .
 (Al 2017)

71. In the given figure, 𝑂 is the centre of a circle of radius 5 cm. 𝑇 is a point such that 𝑂𝑇 = 13 cm and
𝑂𝑇 intersects circle at 𝐸. If 𝐴𝐵 is a tangent to the circle at 𝐸, find the length of 𝐴𝐵, where 𝑇𝑃 and 𝑇𝑄
are two tangents to the circle.

(Delhi 2016)

72. In the given figure, 𝐴𝐵 is a chord of a circle, with centre 𝑂, such that 𝐴𝐵 = 16 cm and radius of
circle is 10 cm. Tangents at 𝐴 and 𝐵 intersect each other at 𝑃. Find the length of 𝑃𝐴.

(Foreign 2016)

OR
In the given figure, 𝑃𝑄 is a chord of length 16 cm, of a circle of radius 10 cm. The tangents at 𝑃 and
𝑄 intersect at a point 𝑇. Find the length of TP.
 (Al 2014)

73. In the given figure, tangents 𝑃𝑄 and 𝑃𝑅 are drawn from an external point 𝑃 to a circle with centre 𝑂,
such that ∠𝑅𝑃𝑄 = 30∘. A chord 𝑅𝑆 is drawn parallel to the tangent 𝑃𝑄. Find ∠𝑅𝑄.

(Delhi 2015)

74. Prove that opposite sides of a quadrilateral circumscribing a circle subtend supplementary angles at
the centre of the circle.
(Al 2014)

75. In the given figure, a triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is drawn to circumscribe a circle of radius 4 cm, such that the
segments 𝐵𝐷 and 𝐷𝐶 are of lengths 8 cm and 6 cm respectively. Find the sides 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶

(AI 2014)