Segment Lengths in
Circles
Mrs. Rawat
Theorem
When chords intersect, the chords break
into segments that are equal when
multiplied.
D
A X
B
C
AX XB CX XD
Theorem
When chords intersect, the chords break
into segments that are equal when
multiplied.
D
8
A 6 X 4
3 B
C
AX XB CX XD
Theorem
When chords intersect, the chords break
into segments that are equal when
multiplied.
D
K
10 X
A 4 B
9
C
AX XB CX XD
Theorem
When chords intersect, the chords break
into segments that are equal when
multiplied.
D
4
K 4
K 9
10 X
A 4 B
9
C
AX XB CX XD
Theorem
When two secants intersect a circle, the
segments of the secants (the chord and
the whole secant ) are equal when
multiplied together. MN MO MP MQ
Theorem
When two secants intersect a circle, the
segments of the secants (the chord and
the whole secant ) are equal when
multiplied together. MN MO MP MQ
X
8 610 6 8 X 8
10 616 8 X 64
6
PICTURE NOT 1 DRAWN
TO SCALE
Theorem
When two secants intersect a circle, the
segments of the secants (the chord and
the whole secant ) are equal when
multiplied together. MN MO MP MQ
X
610 6 8 X 8
8 616 8 X 64
6 10 96 8 X 64
32 8 X
PICTURE NOT 1 DRAWN X 4
TO SCALE
Theorem
A tangent and a secant GF GD CD CD
DF GD CD 2
Theorem
A tangent and a secant DF GD CD CD
DF GD CD 2
30
25 X
Theorem
A tangent and a secant DF GD CD CD
DF GD CD 2
24
X
12
Theorem
A tangent and a secant DF GD CD CD
DF GD CD 2
24 12 x 12
2
24
576 12 x 144
X 432 12 x
12
x 36
Example 4: Using Properties of Tangents
HK and HG are tangent to F. Find HG.
2 segments tangent to
HK = HG from same ext. point
segments .
5a – 32 = 4 + 2a Substitute 5a – 32 for
HK and 4 + 2a for HG.
3a – 32 = 4 Subtract 2a from both sides.
3a = 36 Add 32 to both sides.
a = 12 Divide both sides by 3.
HG = 4 + 2(12) Substitute 12 for a.
= 28 Simplify.
Check It Out! Example 4a
RS and RT are tangent to Q. Find RS.
2 segments tangent to
RS = RT from same ext. point
segments .
x
Substitute 4 for RS and
x – 6.3 for RT.
x = 4x – 25.2 Multiply both sides by 4.
–3x = –25.2 Subtract 4x from both sides.
x = 8.4 Divide both sides by –3.
Substitute 8.4 for x.
= 2.1 Simplify.
