1 of 3

CIRCLE

  • Sum based on Theorems –
  • Two tangents from an external point

to a circle are equal and

Radius is perpendicular to the tangent

2 of 3

16 cm

B

P

A

L

O

10 cm

Q. AB is a chord of length 16 cm of a circle of radius 10 cm.

The tangents at A and B intersect at a point P.

Find the length of PA.

Sol.

In ΔAOP

and

ΔBOP

OA

=

OB

(radii of same circle)

OP

=

OP

(common side)

PA

=

PB

[Tangents drawnfrom an external point to a circle are equal length]

ΔAOP

ΔBOP

(SSS test)

∠AOP

=

∠BOP

(c.p.c.t.)

∠AOL

=

∠BOL

…(i)

(P-L-O)

In ΔAOL

and

ΔBOL

OA

=

OB

(radii of same circle)

∠AOL

=

∠BOL

[from (i)]

OL

=

OL

(common side)

?

P

Consider

ΔAOP and ΔBOP

Consider

ΔAOL and ΔBOL

ΔAOL

ΔBOL

(SAS test)

3 of 3

B

P

A

L

O

?

Q. AB is a chord of length 16 cm of a circle of radius 10 cm. The tangents at A and B intersect at a point P.

Find the length of PA.

Sol.

∠OLA

=

∠OLB

(c.p.c.t.)

Let

∠OLA

=

∠OLB

=

x

∠OLA

+

∠OLB

=

1800

(Linear pair)

x

+

x

=

180

2x

=

180

x

=

900

OL

AB

(Perpendicular from the centre to the

chord, bisects the chord)

AL

=

LB

=

1

2

AB

AL

=

LB

=

8 cm

AL

=

LB

=

1

2

× 16

We know that,

Perpendicular drawn from the centre to the chord, bisects the chord

8

OLA and OLB are what type of angle?

Linear pair

AB = 16 cm

AO = 10 cm

x

x