CONSTRUCTION OF A TANGENT LINE

FROM A POINT OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE TO THE CIRCLE

Follow the steps given below to construct (using only straight edge and compass) the
tangent line to a circle from a point outside of the circle.

Construction
1. Given circle with center C and a point
P outside of the circle.
C

2. Connect point C and point P and then

find midpoint M by bisecting the
segment.

Refer to Lesson 9.2.2 if you need to recall

how to construct a perpendicular bisector.
N

3. Using M as the center, draw the circle

passing through points C and P.
P

Let N be the point of intersection of the

two circles
N

4. Construct a line through P and N.

This is the desired tangent line.

Problems
1.

2.

Draw a circle and a point outside the circle and construct your own tangent line.
Show the construction of the location of the midpoint.

!##"
Prove that line PN is a tangent line, by completing the steps below:
N

Draw in segment NC and add point T where segment

intersects circle C. Extend segment PC to intersect
circle C and name this point R.

T
P

a.

!NCP is a _______________angle.

b.

m !NCP is therefore the measure of arc _____.

c.

!NPC is an _______angle.

d.

m!NPC is therefore

e.

arc TN + arc NR = arc ____ = ____

f.

!NCP + !PCN =

g.

Using substitution from part (e),

h.

Therefore !NCP + !PCN = ___ .

i.

Since PNC is a triangle, !NPC + !PCN + !CNP = _____

j.

Using substitution from part (h),

!NPC + !PCN + !CNP = ____ +!CNP = 180

k.

and !CNP = ___ .

l.

Because !CNP = ___ , segment PN is __________ to segment CN

m.

and hence PN is ______ to circle C.

1
2

1
2

( arc ___! arc ___ ) .

( arc ___" arc ___ ) + arc ___ = 12 ( arc ___+ arc ___ )
1
2

( arc NR + arc TN ) = 12 ( ___ ) = ___ .

Answers
2a.
2c.

central
exterior

2e.

TNR, 180

2f.

1
2

2b.
2d.

TN
NR, TN

( arc!NR ! arc TN ) + arc TN = 12 ( arc NR + arc TN )

2g.

180, 90

2h.

90

2i.

180

2j.

90

2k.

90

2l.

90, perpendicular

2m. tangent