Important Results on Tangents to a Circle

Tangent:

A line that intersects the circle in exactly one point is called a tangent to the
circle. The point at which the tangent intersects the circle is called the point of
content. In figure 8-41, ST is the tangent and P is the point of contact. It is also
called the point of tangency.

The following points should be noted carefully

1. From a point, in the interior of a circle, no tangent can be drawn to the circle.

2. From a point on the circle, a unique tangent can be drawn to the circle. The
tangent passes through that point.

3. From a point in the exterior of a circle, two tangents can be drawn to the circle.

4. Of all the points on a tangent to a circle, the point of contact is the nearest to
the centre of the circle.

Theorem: A tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the vertex

through the point of contact.

Given: A circle with centre O. PT is a tangent line to the circle at point P.

To prove: OP ⊥ PT .

Construction: Let Q be any point other than P on PT. Join OQ.

Proof:

Since Q is any point other than P on PT.

Therefore Q lies in the exterior of circle OQ>OP.

This shows that of all segments that can be drawn from the centre O to any point
on the line PT, OP is the shortest.

We know that the shortest segment that can be drawn from a given point to a
given line is the perpendicular from the given point to the given line

Hence, OP ⊥ PT .

Theorem: The lengths of two tangents drawn from an external point to a circle
are equal.

Given: AP and AQ are two tangents from a point A to a circle C ( O, r )

To prove: AP = AQ

Construction: Join OA, OP and OQ

Proof: Since a tangent is perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact

Therefore OP ⊥ AP and OQ ⊥ AQ .

Now in right triangles Triangle OAP and Triangle OAQ , we have

OP = OQ (Radii of the same circle)

∠OPA = ∠OQA ( Each = 90o )

OA = OA (Common to both the triangles)

Triangle OAP ≅ Triangle OAQ (RHS criterion of congruency)

Thus AP = AQ (cpctc)

Theorem: If two chords of a circle intersect inside or outside the circle when
produced, the rectangle formed by the two segments of one chord is equal in
area to the rectangle formed by the two segments of another chord.
Given: Two chords AB and CD of a circle such that they interest each other at a
point P, lying inside or outside the circle.

To prove: PA. PB = PC. PD

Construction: Join AC and BD

Proof: Case I: Point P lies inside the circle

In triangles Triangle PCA and Triangle PBD , we have

∠PCA = ∠PBD (Angles in the same segment are equal)

∠APC = ∠BPD (Vertically opposite angles are equal)

Therefore Triangle PCA similar to Triangle PBD (AA similarity criterion)

PA PC
So, = (Property of similar triangles)
PD PB

Thus PA. PB = PC. PD

Case II: Point P lies outside the circle

Since angles ∠PAC and ∠CAB form a linear pair

∠PAC + ∠CAB = 180o

and ∠CAB + ∠PDB = 180o (Opposite angles of a cyclic

 quadrilateral are supplementary)

Therefore ∠PAC = ∠PDB … (1)

In triangles PCA and PBD,

∠PAC = ∠PDB [from (1)]

∠APC = ∠DPB (same angle)

Therefore Triangle PCA similar to Triangle PBD (AA similarity criterion)

PA PC
So, = (Property of similar triangles)
PD PB

Thus PA. PB = PC. PD

Hence, in either case PA. PB = PC. PD

Theorem: (Converse of Previous Theorem): If two straight lines intersect

internally or externally such that the rectangle contained by the parts of one is
equal to the rectangle contained by the parts of the other, the four extremities
of the two straight lines are con-cyclic.

Given: Two straight lines AB and CD intersecting at P so that PA × PB = PC × PD

To prove: A, B, C and D are con-cyclic

Construction: Draw a circle passing through A, B and C. If it does not pass
through D, suppose it cuts CD in D ' .

Proof: Since AB and CD ' are two chords of circle intersecting each other at P,
therefore PA × PB = PC × PD ' (by theorem) … (1)

But PA × PB = PC × PD (given) … (2)

Therefore PC × PD ' = PC × PD [from (1) and (2)]

Thus, PD ' = PD

But this is possible only if D ' coincides with D.

So, the circle passes through D.

Hence A, B, C and D are con-cyclic

Theorem: If PAB is secant to a circle intersecting it at A and B, and PT is a

tangent, then PA.PB = PT 2

Given: A secant PAB to a circle with centre O intersecting it at A and B and a

tangent PT to the circle.

To prove: PA.PB = PT 2
Construction: Join O to the mid point M of AB and also to A, P and T.

Proof: PA = PM – AM

PB = PM + MB

PB = PM + AM ( Since AM = MB )

Therefore, PA.PB = ( PM − AM )( PM + AM )

or PA.PB = PM 2 − AM 2 [ (a − b)(a + b) = a 2 − b 2 ]… (1)

Again OM is perpendicular to AB

Therefore PM 2 = OP 2 − OM 2 (Pythagoras theorem)

and AM 2 = OA2 − OM 2 (Pythagoras theorem)

Substituting the values of PM 2 and AM 2 in (1), we have

PA.PB = (OP 2 − OM 2 ) − (OA2 − OM 2 )

PA.PB = OP 2 − OM 2 − OA2 + OM 2

PA.PB = OP 2 − OA2

PA.PB = OP 2 − OT 2 ( Since OA = OT , being radii of the same circle)

PA.PB = PT 2 (By Pythagoras theorem)

Theorem: If a line touches a circle and from the point of contact a chord is
drawn, the angles which this chord makes with the given line are equal
respectively to the angles formed in the corresponding alternate segments.

Given: PQ is a tangent to a circle with centre O at a point A, AB is a chord and C,

D are points in the two segments of the circle formed by the chord AB.

To prove: ∠BAQ = ∠ACB and ∠BAP = ∠ADB

Construction: Draw the diameter AOE and join EB.

Proof: In AEB

∠ABE = 90o (Angle in a semi-circle is right angle)

Therefore ∠AEB + ∠EAB = 90o … (1)

Now, EA ⊥ PQ,

Therefore ∠EAB + ∠BAQ = ∠EAQ = 90o … (2)

From (1) and (2), we have

∠AEB = ∠BAQ (Each = 90o − ∠EAB )

Also, ∠ACB = ∠AEB (Angles in the same segment)

Therefore ∠BAQ = ∠ACB … (3)

Also, ∠BAQ + ∠BAP = 180o (linear pair)

and ∠ACB + ∠ADB = 180o (Opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral)

Therefore, ∠BAQ + ∠BAP = ∠ACB + ∠ADB

Using (3), we get ∠BAP = ∠ADB

Theorem: (Converse of Previous Theorem). If a line is drawn through an end
point of a chord of a circle so that the angle formed by it with the chord is
equal to the angle subtended by the chord in the alternate segment, then the
line is tangent to the circle.

Given: AB is a chord of a circle and a line PAQ such that ∠BAQ = ∠ACB , where
C is any point in the alternate segment ACB.

To prove: Line PAQ is a tangent to the circle

Construction: If PAQ is not the tangent to the circle, draw tangent P ' AQ ' at A.

Proof: Since P ' AQ ' is a tangent and AB is a chord of the circle, therefore, by
alternate segment theorem.

∠BAQ ' = ∠ACB

But ∠BAQ = ∠ACB (Given)

Therefore ∠BAQ ' = ∠BAQ

Hence, AQ ' coincides with AQ or in other words P ' AQ ' coincides with PAQ. This
shows that PAQ is the tangent to the circle at A.
Theorem: If two circles touch each other internally or externally, the point of
contact lies on the line joining their centers.

Given: Two circles with centres A and B touching each other (i) internally and (ii)
externally at P.

To prove: P lies on AB

Construction: Draw PT, the common tangent, at P to both the circles.

Proof: Since BP is a radius and PT is a tangent

Therefore ∠BPT = 90o (Radius is perpendicular to the tangent at the point of

contact)

Similarly, ∠APT = 90o

In figure 8-49 (i), since ∠APT = ∠BPT = 90o

Therefore their arms AP and BP coincide.

Hence B, A, P lie in a straight line.

In figure 8-49 (ii), since ∠BPT + ∠APT = 180o ( Since ∠BPT = ∠APT = 90o )

Therefore APB is a straight line

Hence, points A, B and P are in the same straight line

Remarks:

1. If two circles touch internally, the distance between their centers is equal to the
difference of their radii.

2. If they touch externally, the distance between their centers is equal to the sum
of their radii.

**************************************************