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CONSTRUCTIONS

  • To construct tangents to a circle from an external point.

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Rough Figure

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P

Q

7 cm

7 cm

Q. Draw a circle of radius 3cm.

Take two points P and Q on

one of its extended diameters

each at a distance of 7cm

from its centre. Draw tangents

to the circle from these two

points P and Q.

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Ex-13.2 (Q.3)

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7 cm

7 cm

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Draw a circle of radius of 3cm and centre O

Locate points P and Q such that OP = OQ = 7cm

Draw perpendicular bisector of seg OP

O as centre and radius more than half of OP, draw arcs on either sides

Now P as centre and with the same radius, cut previously drawn arcs

Draw line EF intersecting OP at M

Now M as centre and radius = OM or MP

Draw a circle intersecting previously drawn circle at A and B

Draw ray PA and PB

Q as centre and radius more than half of OQ, draw arcs on either sides

Draw perpendicular bisector of seg OQ

Now O as centre and with the same radius, cut previously drawn arcs

Draw line GH

intersecting OQ at N

Now N as centre and radius = ON or NQ

Draw a circle intersecting previously drawn circle at C and D

Draw ray QC and QD

PA and PB are required tangents from external point P

QC and QD are required tangents from external point Q

3 cm

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Q. Draw a circle of radius 3cm. Take two points P and Q on one of its extended diameters

each at a distance of 7cm from its centre. Draw tangents to the circle from these two

points P and Q.

Justification :

Join OA then ∠OAP is an angle in a semicircle.

∠OAP = 90°

line PA ⊥ radius OA.

PA has to be a tangent to circle

[A line ⊥ to radius to a circle

at its outer end is a tangent]

Similarly, we can show that PB, QC and QD

are the tangents.

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7 cm

7 cm