Tangent Line

A tangent to a circle is a line coplanar with the circle and intersects it

in one and only one point. The point of intersection of the line and the circle is

called the point of tangency.

⃡
Example: In the figure on the right, 𝑃𝑄

Intersects ⃡ is a
C at A. 𝑃𝑄

tangent line and A is the point of

tangency.

Postulate on Tangent Line

At a given point on a circle, one and only one line can be drawn that is tangent to the circle.

To illustrate, consider V on the right. If

U is a point on the circle, then one and only one

line can be drawn through U that is tangent to the

circle

Theorems on Tangent Line

1. If a line is tangent to a circle, then it is perpendicular

to the radius drawn to the point of tangency.

If AB is tangent to Q at R, then it is

perpendicular to radius QR.

2. If a line is perpendicular to a radius of a circle at its endpoint that is on the

circle, then the line is tangent to the circle.

If ⃡𝐶𝑆 is perpendicular to radius LT at L,

then it is tangent to T.
3. If two segments from the same exterior point are tangent to a circle, then the two segments are
congruent.

𝐷𝑊 and ̅̅̅̅̅
If ̅̅̅̅̅ 𝐺𝑊 are tangent to E,

𝐷𝑊 = ̅̅̅̅̅
then ̅̅̅̅̅ 𝐺𝑊 .

Common Tangent
A common tangent is a line that is tangent to two circles in the same plane.

Common internal tangents Common external tangents do

intersects the segment joining not intersect the segment joining
the centers of the two circles. the centers of the two circles.

Lines c and d are Lines s and t are

common internal tangents. common external tangents.

Tangent and Secant

Segments and rays that are contained in the tangent or intersect the circle in one and only one point are
also said to be tangent to the circle.

M
̅̅̅̅̅
In the figure on the right,𝑀𝑁

and 𝑄𝑅 are tangent to S.

 A secant is a line that intersects a circle at exactly two points. A secant contains a chord of a

circle.

⃡ is a secant line.
In circle A, 𝑀𝑁

Theorems on Angles Formed by Tangents and Secants

1. If two secants intersect in the exterior of a circle, then the measure of the
angle formed is one-half the positive difference of the measures of the

intercepted arcs.

⃡ and 𝑀𝑌
In the figure below, 𝑁𝑋 ⃡ are two secants intersecting outside the circle at

̂ and 𝑀𝑁
point P. 𝑋𝑌 ̂ are the two intercepted arcs of ∠XPY.

1
̂ - m𝑀𝑁
M ∠XPY = (m𝑋𝑌 ̂)
2

̂ = 140
For example, if m𝑋𝑌
̂ = 30, then
and m𝑀𝑁
1
m∠XPY = 2 (140 - 30)
1
= 2 (110)

m∠XPY = 55

2. If a secant and a tangent intersect in the exterior of a circle, then the measure of the angle
formed is one-half the positive difference of the measures of the intercepted arcs.
 In the figure below, ⃡𝐶𝑀 is a secant and ⃡𝐿𝑀 is a tangent intersecting outside the circle at point M.
̂ and 𝐿𝐺
𝐿𝐸𝐶 ̂ are the two intercepted arcs of ∠LMC.

1
̂ - m𝐿𝐺
m∠LMC = 2 (m𝐿𝐸𝐶 ̂)

̂ = 186
For example, if m𝐿𝐸𝐶
̂ = 70, then
and m𝐿𝐺
1
m∠LMC = 2 (186 - 70)
1
= 2 (116)

m∠LMC = 58

3. If two tangents intersect in the exterior of a circle, then the measure of the angle formed is
one-half the positive difference of the measures of the intercepted arcs.

⃡ and 𝑄𝐻
In the figure below, 𝑂𝐾 ⃡ are two tangents intersecting outside the circle at point Q.
̂ ̂ are the two intercepted arcs of ∠KQH.
𝐻𝐽𝐾 and 𝐻𝐾

1
̂ - m𝐻𝐾
M∠KQH = (m𝐻𝐽𝐾 ̂)
2

̂ = 250
For example, if m𝐻𝐽𝐾
̂ = 110, then
and m𝐻𝐾
1
m∠KQH = (250 - 110)
2
1
= 2 (140)

m∠KQH = 70

4. If two secants intersect in the interior of a circle, then the measure of an angle formed is
one-half the sum of the measures of the arcs intercepted by the angle and its vertical angle.
 In the figure below, ⃡𝑊𝑆 and ⃡𝑅𝑋 are two secants intersecting inside the circle. 𝑊𝑅 ̂ are
̂and 𝑋𝑆

̂ are the two intercepted arcs of ∠2.

̂ and 𝑅𝑆
the two intercepted arcs of ∠1 while 𝑊𝑋

1 1
̂)
̂ + m𝑋𝑆
m∠1 = 2 (m𝑊𝑅 m∠2 = 2 (m𝑊𝑋 ̂)
̂ + m𝑅𝑆

For example, For example,

̂ = 100 and
if m𝑊𝑅 ̂ = 80 and
if m𝑊𝑋

̂ = 120, then
m𝑋𝑆 ̂ = 60, then
m𝑅𝑆
1 1
m∠1 = 2 (100+120) m42 = 2 (80+60)

1 1
= (220) = 2 (140)
2

m<1 = 110 m∠2 =70

5. If a secant and a tangent intersect at the point of tangency, then the measure of each angle
formed is one-half the measure of its intercepted arc.

In the figure below, QS is a secant and RW is a tangent intersecting at S, the point of

̂ is the intercepted arc of ∠QSR while 𝑄𝑇𝑆
tangency. 𝑄𝑆 ̂ is the intercepted arc of ∠QSW.

1
1 ̂
m∠QSW = 2 m𝑄𝑇𝑆
m∠QSR =2 ̂
m𝑄𝑆
For example,
For example,
̂ = 190, then
if m𝑄𝑇𝑆
if mQS = 170, then
1
1 m∠QSW = 2 (190)
m∠OSR = 2(170)
m∠QSW = 95
m∠QSR = 85