8.1 Tangents to a Circle

8.1 Tangents to a Circle
 
1. A tangent to a circle is a straight line that touches the circle at only one point and the point is called the point of contact.


 
2. If a straight line cuts a circle at two distinct points, it is called a secant. The chord is part of the secant in a circle.



3. Tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius of the circle that passes through the point of contact.

If ABC is the tangent to the circle at B, then ABO = CBO = 90o
 
 

Properties of Two Tangents to a Circle from an External Point




In the diagram, BA and BC are two tangents from an external point B. The properties of the tangents are as follows.
 
(a) BA = BC
(b) ABO = CBO = xo
(c) AOB = COB = yo
(d)OAB = OCB = 90o
(e) AOC + ABC = 180o
(f)AOB and ∆ COB are congruent