CHAPTER 8

CIRCLES

Circle: Circle is a closed figure consisting of all points which are at a constant distance (radius) from
a fixed point (centre) in the plane.
Secant: A line which intersects a circle at two distinct points is called a secant of the circle.
Tangent: A line which intersects a circle at only one point is called a tangent to the circle.

Notes:
1. The tangent to a circle is a special case of secant, when the two endpoints of its corresponding
chord coincide.
2. The common point of the tangent and the circle is called the point of contact.
3. All points of the tangent except the point of contact are exterior points of the circle.
4. There is no tangent to a circle passing through a point inside the circle.
5. There is one and only one tangent to a circle passing through a point lying on the circle.
6. There are exactly two tangents through (from) a point lying outside the circle.
7. Infinitely many tangents can be drawn to circle.

Theorems about tangents to a circle

1. The tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact.
2. The lengths of tangents drawn from an exterior point to a circle are equal.

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SOLUTIONS
EXERCISE 8.1
1. A point P is at a distance of 13 cm from the centre O of a circle. If the radius of the circle is 5
cm, find the length of tangent from P to the circle.
Solution:
A

P O

Let O be the centre of the circle and PA be a tangent segment drawn from P to the circle.
It is given that OP = 13 cm and OA = 5 cm.
We know, ∠OAP = 90
Now, in the right ∆OAP, we have
+ = [by Pythagoras Theorem]
⇒ + 5 = 13
⇒ + 25 = 169
⇒ = 169 − 25 = 144
⇒ = 12
⇒ = 12
∴ the length of tangent from P to the circle is 12 cm.

2. PA and PB are tangent segments drawn from an exterior point P to a circle with centre O. If
∠AOP = , find at what angle the two tangents are inclined to each other.
Solution:

70
O P

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 PA and PB are two tangent segments drawn from an external point P to a circle with centre O
such that ∠AOP = 70 .
In ∆AOP and ∆BOP, we have
PA = PB [being tangent segments to a circle from an exterior point]
OP = OP [common side]
OA = OB [being radii of a circle]
∴ ∆AOP ≅ ∆BOP [by SSS congruence]
⇒ ∠OPA = ∠OPB
We have, ∠OAP = 90 [⸪PA is a tangent segment at A]
Now, in ∆AOP, we have
∠OPA + ∠OAP + ∠AOP = 180 [by angle sum property of triangle]
⇒ ∠OPA + 90 + 70 = 180
⇒ ∠OPA + 160 = 180
⇒ ∠OPA = 20
⇒ ∠OPA = ∠OPB = 20
∴ ∠APB = ∠OPA + ∠OPB = 20 + 20 = 40
Thus, the two tangents are inclined to each other at 40 .
3. Prove that tangents at the ends of a diameter of a circle are parallel.
Solution:

A P B

C Q D
Given: PQ is a diameter of a circle with centre O. AB and CD are tangents at P and Q
respectively.
To prove: AB∥CD
Proof: We have, and !" are tangents at P and Q.
∴ ####⊥ and ####
$ ⊥!"
⇒ ∠OPA = ∠OQD (= 90 )
But ∠OPA and ∠OQD are the alternate angles formed by PQ with two lines and !".
∴ AB∥CD

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4. If PA and PB are tangent segments drawn from an exterior point P to a circle whose centre is
O, prove that OP bisects AB and hence OP⊥AB.
Solution:
A

O Q P

B
Given: PA and PB are tangent segments drawn from an exterior point P to a circle with centre
O. OP intersects AB at Q.
To prove: OP bisects AB and OP⊥AB.
Construction: OA and OB are joined.
Proof: In ∆AOP and ∆BOP, we have
PA = PB [being tangent segments to a circle from an exterior point]
OP = OP [common side]
OA = OB [being radii of a circle]
∴ ∆AOP≅∆BOP [by SSS congruence]
⇒ ∠AOP = ∠BOP
⇒ ∠AOQ = ∠BOQ
In ∆AOQ and ∆BOQ, we have
OQ = OQ [common side]
∠AOQ = ∠BOQ
OA = OB [being radii of a circle]
∴ ∆AOQ≅∆BOQ [by SAS congruence]
⇒ AQ = BQ i.e. OP bisects AB
and ∠AQO = ∠BQO
But ∠AQO + ∠BQO = 180 [being linear pair angles]
⇒ ∠AQO + ∠AQO = 180
⇒ 2∠AQO = 180
⇒∠AQO = 90
⇒ OP⊥AB
Thus, OP bisects AB and OP⊥AB.
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5. Two concentric circles are of radii 6 cm and 10 cm. Find the length of the chord of the larger
circle which touches the smaller circle.
Solution: Let O be the centre of the concentric circles with radii OP = 6cm and OA = 10cm. Chord AB
of the larger circle touches the smaller circle at P.
We have, AB is a tangent to the smaller circle at P. So, OP⊥AB
Also AB is a chord of the larger circle. So, OP bisects AB i.e. AB = 2.AP = 2.BP
In the right ∆AOP, we have
+ =
⇒ + 6 = 10
⇒ + 36 = 100
O
⇒ = 64 = 8 10cm
6cm
⇒ =8
A P B
∴ AB = 2×8 = 16
Thus, the length of the chord AB of the larger circle is 16cm.

6. Prove that the perpendicular at the point of contact to the tangent to a circle passes through
the centre.
Solution:
Q

A P B

Given: AB is a tangent to a circle with centre O at a point P and PQ⊥AB

To prove: PQ passes through O.
Proof: We have, OP⊥AB [⸪ tangent ⊥ radius at the point of contact]
and PQ⊥AB [given]
But, one and only one perpendicular can be drawn to a line through any point on the line.
So, OP and PQ must be on a same line i.e. OP and PQ are coincident.
Hence, PQ passes through O.

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7. Prove that the opposite sides of a quadrilateral circumscribing a circle subtend supplementary
angles at the centre of the circle.
Solution:
A
S
D
P
R
O

B Q C

Given: A circle with centre O touches the sides AB, BC, CD and DA of a quadrilateral
ABCD at the points P, Q, R and S respectively.
To prove: ∠AOB + ∠COD = ∠ AOD + ∠ BOC = 180
Construction: OP, OQ, OR and OS are joined.
Proof: In ∆AOP and ∆AOS, we have
AP = AS [being tangents to a circle from an exterior point]
OA = OA [common side]
OP = OS [radii of a circle]
∴ ∆AOP≅∆AOS [by SSS congruence]
⇒∠AOP = ∠AOS
Similarly, ∠BOP = ∠BOQ, ∠COQ = ∠COR, ∠DOR = ∠DOS
Now, ∠AOB + ∠COD = (∠AOP + ∠BOP) + (∠COR + ∠DOR)
= (∠AOS + ∠BOQ) + (∠COQ + ∠DOS)
= (∠BOQ + ∠COQ) + (∠AOS + ∠DOS)
= ∠ AOD + ∠ BOC
But, (∠AOB + ∠COD) + (∠ AOD + ∠ BOC) = 360
⇒ (∠AOB + ∠COD) + (∠AOB + ∠COD) = 360
⇒ 2(∠AOB + ∠COD) = 360
⇒ ∠AOB + ∠COD = 180
∴ ∠AOB + ∠COD = ∠ AOD + ∠ BOC = 180

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8. If a circle touches all the four sides of a quadrilateral ABCD, prove that AB + CD = BC + DA.
Solution:
A
S
D
P
R

B Q C

Given: A circle touches the sides AB, BC, CD and DA of a quadrilateral ABCD at the points
P, Q, R and S respectively.
To prove: AB + CD = BC + DA
Proof: We know, the lengths of tangents to a circle from an exterior point are equal in length.
∴ AP = AS, BP = BQ, CQ = CR and DR = DS
Now, AB + CD = (AP + BP) + (CR + DR)
= (AS + BQ) + (CQ + DS)
= (BQ + CQ) + (AS + DS)
= BC + DA
9. If ∆ABC is isosceles with AB = AC. The incircle of the ∆ABC touches BC at P. Prove that BP =
CP.
Solution:
Given: ∆ABC is isosceles with AB = AC. The incircle of ∆ABC touches BC, CA and AB at
P, Q and R respectively.
To prove: BP = CP
Proof: We know, the lengths of tangents to a circle from an exterior point are equal in length.
∴ AR = AQ, BP = BR and CP = CQ A

We have, AB = AC [given]
⇒ AR + BR = AQ + CQ
⇒ BR = CQ [⸪AR = AQ] R Q

∴ BP = CP

B P C

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10. Prove that the parallelogram circumscribing a circle is a rhombus.
Solution:
Given: A circle touches the sides AB, BC, CD and DA of a parallelogram ABCD at the
points P, Q, R and S respectively.
To prove: ABCD is a rhombus.
Proof: We know, the lengths of tangents to a circle from an exterior point are equal in length.
∴ AP = AS, BP = BQ, CQ = CR and DR = DS
Also, AB = CD and BC = DA ---------- (1) [being opposite sides of a parallelogram]
Now, 2.AB = AB +AB
A S D
= AB + CD
= (AP + BP) + (CR + DR)
= (AS + BQ) + (CQ + DS) P
= (BQ + CQ) + (AS + DS)
R
= BC + DA
= 2.BC
i.e. AB = BC ---------- (2)
B Q C
From (1) and (2), we get
AB = BC = CD = DA
Hence, ABCD is a rhombus.

11. The incircle of a ∆ABC touches the sides BC, CA and AB at D, E and F respectively. Show that
)
AF + BD + CE = AE + BF + CD = * (perimeter of ∆ABC).

Solution:
A

F E

B D C

Given: The incircle of a ∆ABC touches the sides BC, CA and AB at D, E and F respectively.
+
To prove: AF + BD + CE = AE + BF + CD = (perimeter of ∆ABC)
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 Proof: We know, the lengths of tangents to a circle from an exterior point are equal in length.
∴ AF = AE, BF = BD and CD = CE
+ +
Now, (perimeter of ∆ABC) = (AB + BC + CA)
+
= (AF + BF + BD + CD + CE + AE)
+
= (AF + BD + BD + CE + CE + AF)
+
= (2AF + 2BD + 2CE)
+
= ×2(AF + BD + CE)

= AF + BD + CE
= AE + BF + CD
+
Hence, AF + BD + CE = AE + BF + CD = (perimeter of ∆ABC)

12. If PA and PB are tangent segments drawn from an external point P to a circle with centre O,
)
prove that ∠OAB = *∠APB.

Solution:

O Q P

B
Given: PA and PB are tangent segments drawn from an external point P to a circle with
centre O. AB intersects OP at Q.
+
To prove: ∠OAB = ∠APB

Construction: OB is joined.
Proof: We know, OA⊥PA and OB⊥PB [⸪ tangent ⊥ radius at the point of contact]
⇒ ∠OAP = ∠OBP = 90
and ∠OAB = ∠OBA [⸪OA = OB]
In the quadrilateral OAPB, we have
∠AOB + ∠OAP + ∠APB + ∠OBP = 360
⇒ ∠AOB + 90 + ∠ APB + 90 = 360
⇒ ∠AOB + ∠ APB = 180 ---------- (1)

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 In ∆AOB, we have
∠AOB + ∠OAB + ∠OBA = 180 [by angle sum property of triangle]
⇒ ∠AOB + ∠OAB + ∠OAB = 180
⇒ ∠AOB + 2∠OAB = 180 ---------- (2)
From (1) and (2), we have
∠AOB + 2∠OAB = ∠AOB + ∠ APB (= 180 )
⇒ 2∠OAB = ∠ APB
+
∴ ∠OAB = ∠ APB

13. Prove that the intercept of a tangent between two parallel tangents to a circle subtends a right
angle at the centre.
Solution:

A .
,
P

O
C

- Q
B

Given: , and - are two parallel tangents of a circle with centre O at A and B. Another
tangent . at C intersects , and - at P and Q respectively.
To prove: ∠POQ = 90
Construction: OA, OB and OC are joined.
Proof: In ∆AOP and ∆COP, we have
OA = OC [radii of a circle]
OP = OP [common side}
PA = PC [being tangents to a circle from an exterior point]
∴ ∆AOP≅∆COP [by SSS congruence]
+
⇒ ∠OPC = ∠OPA = ∠APC
+
⇒ ∠OPQ = ∠APQ
+
Similarly, ∠OQP = ∠BQP
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We know, ∠APQ + ∠BQP = 180 [⸪ sum of the interior angles on the same side of a
transversal is 180 ]

+ + +
⇒ ∠APQ + ∠BQP = × 180

⇒ ∠OPQ + ∠OQP = 90
In ∆POQ, we have
∠POQ + ∠OPQ + ∠OQP = 180 [by angle sum property of triangle]
⇒ ∠POQ + 90 = 180
∴ ∠POQ = 90

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