CHAPTER 10 : CIRCLES

Topics to be covered-
➢ Tangents to a circle at point of contact
➢ The tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the
radius through the point of contact
➢ The lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a
circle are equal

Key Points and Concepts:

➔ A tangent to a circle is a line that intersects the circle at only one point.
➔ Theorem 1 : The tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius
through the point of contact.
Given : A circle (O, r) and a tangent AB to the circle at the point P
To prove: OP ⟂ AB
Proof: Take a point ‘Q’ (say) other than P on AB. Join OQ. Suppose OQ intersects the
circle at R.

OP = OR ...(i) (Radii of the same circle)

OQ = OR + RQ
OQ > OR
OQ > OP [Using (i)]
OP < OQ
Thus, OP is shorter than any other line segments joining O to any point of AB, other
than P. Therefore, OP is the shortest distance between the point O and the line AB.
 We know that the shortest distance between a point and line is the perpendicular
distance. ∴ OP ⟂ AB
➔ The number of tangents that can be drawn to a circle from a point depends upon the
position of the point with respect to the circle.
➔ The length of the segment of the tangent from an external point and the point of
contact with the circle is called the length of the tangent.
➔ Theorem 2 : The lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are
equal.
Given: A circle with center O. R is an external point. Two tangents RP and RQ are
drawn from point R to the circle.
To prove: RQ = RP
Proof: Consider ∆RQO and ∆RPO.

OQ = OP (Radii of a circle)
OR = OR (Common)
∠OQR = ∠OPR = 90°
(Tangents are perpendiculars to the radius of a circle at the point of contact.)
∆RQO ≅ ∆RPO (RHS congruency)
RQ = RP (CPCT)
➔ Theorem 3 : If two tangents are drawn to a circle from an external point (i) then they
subtend equal angles at the center, (ii) they are equally inclined to the line segment
joining the center to that point.
Given: A circle with center O and a point A outside it.
AP and AQ are tangents drawn to the circle from point A.
To prove: ∠AOP = ∠AOQ and ∠OAP = ∠OAQ
Proof: In △OAP and △OAQ, we have
 OP = OQ (Radii of the same circle)
AP = AQ (Tangents from an external point are equal)
OA = OA (Common)
△OAP ⩭ △OAQ (By SSS congruency)
⇒ ∠AOP = ∠AOQ (CPCT)
and ∠OAP = ∠OAQ (CPCT)

➔ Some Important Situation based questions are as follows

★ If two tangents inclined at an angle 60° are drawn to a circle of radius 3cm, then find
the length of each tangent. [CBSE SP 2020-2021]
★ Prove that the line segment joining the points of contact of two parallel tangents of a
circle, passes through its center. [CBSE 2014]
★ Prove that the tangents at the extremities of a chord of a circle make equal angles
with the chord. [AI 2017]
★ A circle is touching the side BC of ∆ABC at X and touching AB and AC produced at P
1
and Q respectively. Prove that AP = AQ = 2
(Perimeter of ∆ABC). Given AP = 10 cm,
find the perimeter of ∆ABC. [CBSE 2001, 2002]
★ Prove that the tangents drawn at the ends of a diameter of a circle are parallel.
[CBSE 2014]

*** Evaluate your level of knowledge by solving this Quiz ***

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