LECTURER ASAD ALI

CHAPTER 10
Tangent to a Circle
Theorem: 10.1
If a line is perpendicular to a radial segment of a circle
at its outer and then it is a tangent to the circle at that point.

K A B L
Given:
A circle with center O. OA is radial segment A is its
outer end and KL ⊥ OA .
To Prove:
KL is tangent to the circle i.e. KL touches the circle only
at a point A.
Construction:
Take a point B other than A at KL . Join B to O.

Page 1 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
Proof:
Statement Reasons
In triangle AOB
mAOB=900 Given
 mOB  mOA
But OA is a radial segment Opposite sides of a greater
 B is in the exterior of the angle
circle.
Similarly it can be proved
that any point other than A
lying on KL lies in the
exterior.
If the circle i.e KL intersects
the circle at only one point.
OR KL is tangent to the By definition of a tangent.
circle.

Page 2 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
Theorem:10.2
The tangent to the circle and the radial segment joining
the point of contact and the center, are perpendicular to each
other.

A
D

Given:
A circle with center O. AB is tangent and C is the point
of contact.
To Prove:
OC ⊥ AB or mOCA = 900
Construction:
Take a point D on AB other than C. join D to O.
Proof:
D is in the exterior of the circle OD  mOC . i.e. mOC is
the shortest distance similarly it can be proved that the line

Page 3 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
segments joining points on AB , other than C to O, are greater
in measure than mOC .
Hence OC is the shortest line segment or OC ⊥ AB .
OR mOCA = 900 .
Theorem: 10.3
Tangents drawn to a circle from a point outside it are
equal in length.

P O

Given:
A circle with center O. P is out side the circle. PQ and
PR are two tangents drawn from P to the circle.
To Prove:
PQ = PR
Construction:
Join O to Q and R.

Proof:

Page 4 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
Statements Reasons
Q and R are points of contact
OQ ⊥ OQ
Tangent is perpendicular to
And OR ⊥ PR the radial segment at the
point of contact.
Tangent is perpendicular to
In OPQ  OPR the radial segment at the
mOPQ  mOPR point of contact.
OQ  OR Right angles
OP  OP Radial segment of the same
 OPQ  OPR circle common
Hence PQ  PR SAS postulates
Corresponding sides of
congrvent triangle.

Exercise 10.1

Page 5 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
Q1. Find the length of a tangent drawn to a circle of radius
4cm from a point at a distance of 10cm from the center of the
circle.

Diagram

Solution: From figure OQ is the hypotenuse of OPQ

(OQ ) = (QP ) + ( PO)
2 2 2
So
( Hyp) = ( Base ) + ( Perp)
2 2 2

(OQ ) = ( PO) + (QP )

2 2 2

Since (10) = ( 4 ) + ( QP )
2 2 2

 =  + ( QP )
2

84 = ( QP )
2

Taking square root on both sides

( QP )
2
84 =
21  2 2 = QP
QP = 2 21
Q2. In the adjoined figure mOP = a , mPQ = q , find mOQ
Diagram
Solution: From figure OQ is base of triangle OQP
According to Pythagoras theorem
(Qr ) = (OP ) + (OQ )
2 2 2

(Qr ) − (OP ) = (OQ )

2 2 2

(OQ )
2
= a2 − r2
Q3. Prove that the tangents passing through the end points
of diameter of a circle are parallel to each other.
Diameter
Solution: Given

Page 6 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
Circle O with centre O and diameter AB tangents lines CA and
DB tangents at the point A and respectively.
Prove: Lines CA and DB are parallel

Statement Reason
AB is diameter of circle Given
AB is perpendicular to CA at A AC is tangent to the circle
AB ⊥ CA
And AB is perpendicular to DB BD is tangent to the circle
at B AB ⊥ DB Lines perpendicular to the
CA DB same line are parallel to each
CA DB other

Q4. The four sides of a quadrilateral ABCD are tangents of

a circle. Prove that mAB + mCD = mBC + mAD
Diagram

We have to prove that mAB + mCD = mBC + mAD

In a quadrilateral circumscribed around a circle the sum of two
opposite sides equal to the sum of two remaining opposite
Statement Reason
ABCD is quadrilateral Given
AB, BC, CD Tangent line of a circle are
B and C bisector angles is also tangent
DA line to the circles
So mAB + mCD = mBC + mDA are equal

Q5. A chord AC of a circle is produced to P. From a tangent

PB to a circle a circle is drawn. Prove that
mPCB = m ABP
Solution: The angle of a tangent and chord is equal to the
inscribed angle on the opposite side of the chord
Diagram
Statement Reason
mPAC = x Given

Page 7 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
OA perpendicular to AP Tangent-radius-property

mPAO =  Right angle
 Complementary angles
mCAO =  − x

mOCA =  − x Isosceles triangle
T
AOC = (180o − CAO − OCA ) Triangle interior angles sum
1
2
AOC = x
Thus mPCB = mABP

Q6. In the following figure find a

Solution: Diagram make from book
We know that OA is radius of circle
According to Pythagoras theorem
( Hyp) = ( Base ) + ( Perp )
2 2 2

( a ) = ( 3) + ( 3)
2 2 2

( a ) =  +  = 
2

Taking square root on both sides

(a )
2
=  3  2

a=  2
Now to find a = BO – CO
a =  2 − 3 Answer
ii. Solution from the figure we see that: To solve triangle of
OAC .
According to Pythagoras theorem
( AO) = (OC ) + ( AC )
2 2 2

( AC ) = (OC ) − ( AO)
2 2 2

( AC ) = ( 4 ) − (2)
2 2 2

( AC ) =  −  = 
2

C = 2 3
Now to find the value of ‘a’ we have to solve the triangle ACB

Page 8 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
( AB) = ( AC ) + ( CB )
2 2 2

( a ) = (2 3 ) + (6)
2 2 2

( a ) = 4  3 + 36
2

( a ) = 48
2

Taking square root on both sides

(a )
2
= 48
a = 16  3
a=4 3

Theorem: 10.4
If two circles touch externally, the distance between
their centers is equal to sum of their radii.
P

O’ R O

Given:

Page 9 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
Two circles with center O and O touch each other.
Externally at R. OR and OR are the radial segments of these
circles.
To Prove:
mOO = mOR + mOR
Construction:
Draw a common tangent PQ to both the circles at point R.
Proof:
Statements Reasons
mPRO=900 (1) PQ is tangent at point R.
Similarly mPRO=900 (2) PQ is tangent at point R
OR
mPRO+mPRO=900 + 900 Addition of angles postulates.
= 1800
OR ORO  is a line
OR mOO=mOR+mOR Supplementary angles
postulates
Theorem: 10.5
If two circles touch internally, the distance between
their centers is equal to the difference of their radii.

Page 10 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
P

R
O O’

Given:
Two circles with centers O and O touch each other
internally at point R. OR and OR are the radial segments of
these circles.

To Prove:
mOO=mOR − mOR
Construction:
Draw a common tangent to the circles at R.
Proof:
Statements Reasons
mPRO=900 PQ is tangent to the circle at
Similarly mPRO=900 R.
mPRO=mPRO=900 PQ is tangent to the circle at
OR mOO+mOR=mOR R

Page 11 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
OR mOO=mOR − mOR OR and OR are the common
arms of the same right angle

Exercise 10.2
Q1. If the radius of a circle is 8cm. tangents drawn from the
external point P. make an angle of 60o. Find the distance
between the center of the circle and the point P.

Solution: Radius of a circle is 8cm and tangent drawn from the

external point make angle of 60o.
B
o
30

A
600
8cm o

90
C

Perp
So tan60o =
Base
BC BC
tan60o = =
AC 8
BC
3 =  BC = 8 3
8
According to Pythagoras theorem
( Hyp) = ( Base ) + ( Perp)
2 2 2

( Hyp) = ( 8) + ( 8 3 )
2 2 2

( Hyp ) = 64 + 192
2

( AB) = 256
2

Taking square on both sides

Page 12 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI

( AB)
2
= 16
Thus required distance from the centre of circle to external point
P.

Q3.
Given: Tangents to a circle are drawn at the ends of a diameter
AB another
B
D

C
A

Construction: Draw another tangent which cuts these line at

point C and D.
To Prove: mCD = mAC + mBD
Statement Reason
A and B are end points of Given
diameter
AE  DE Tangent line is same at
diameter
ACD Is Isosceles triangle
CE  DE Distance is same from one
AC  BD tangent to another tangent.
Thus
mCD = mAC + mBD

Q4. Two tangents OA and OB to a circle are at right angles

to one another. AC any cord of the circle and BD is drawn
perpendicular to it. Prove that mBD = mCD .
Solution:

Page 13 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
B C
O

A D
Proof:
Statement Reason
BOA = COD Vertically opposite angle
OB = OC Radius of the circle
OBA = OCD = 90o Tangent perpendicular to radius
ABO  DCO A.S.A
AO = DO Corresponding sides of
So congruent triangles are equal
m BD  mCD

Q6. If AD DE and BE are tangents to a circle as shown.

Prove that AD BE = DE
Solution:
D C E
B C

A B

Given: Tangents to a circle are drawn at the ends of a

circumference AB.
Construction: Draw an other tangent line at point C, which cuts
tangent line at point E and D.
To Prove: Sum of two tangents line is equal to DE tangent line.
Statement Reason
AD Tangent line (Given)
BE Tangent line (Given)
AD  BE Tangent line is always same
DE  D from the end point of

Page 14 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
CE  EB circumference.
DE = AD + BE

Exercise 10.3
MCQ’s
I. Write the correct option against the given box 1.
1. A line which is perpendicular to a radical segment of a
circle at its outer end (lying on the circle) is called a
a. secant b. tangent b
c. chord d. diameter
2. The line which meets the circle at one point is d
a. secant b. diameter
c. chord d. tangent
3. From a point at a distance of 5cm from the centre of a
circle of radius 3 cm tangents are drawn to the circle.
The length of each tangent will be c
a. 3 cm b. 5 cm
c. 4 cm d. 6 cm
II. Fill in the blanks.
1. If a line is a tangent ot the circle, then their point of
intersection is called the point of contact
2. In a circle, a tangent and a diameter that intersect are
perpendicular
3. A line that intersects a circle at exactly one point is
called a tangent

Page 15 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com
 LECTURER ASAD ALI
4. Two tangents can be drawn to a circle from a point
outside the circle
III. If statement is correct, write True otherwise write
False.
1. Two different lines may be tangent to a circle at the
same point. F
2. A tangent to a circle may contain the centre of the
circle F
3. If two circles are internally tangent, a radius of one
may be a diameter of the other. F

Page 16 of 16

www.lectuereasadali.com