WEEK

Tangents and
Secants of a
Circle
TANGENT
LINE A

• A tangent to a circle is a line that intersects the

circle in one and only one point. The point of
intersection of the line and the circle is called the
point of tangency.
• In the figure, PQ intersects circle C at A. PQ is a
tangent line and A is the point of tangency.
Theorems on
Tangent Line
Theore
m1

• 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 Circle Q at R, then it is perpendicular
to radius QR.
Theore
m2

• If a line is perpendicular to the radius of the circle at its

endpoint that is on the circle, then the line is tangent to
the circle.
• If AB is perpendicular to radius RQ at R, then it is tangent
to the circle.
Theore
m3

• If two segments from the same exterior point are tangent

to the circle, then the two segments are congruent.
• If DW and GW are tangent to circle E, then DW is
congruent to GW.
 G

• 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.
• In the figure, MN and QR are tangent to circle S.
Secan
ts
• A secant is a line that intersects a circle at exactly two
points.
• A secant contains a chord of a circle.
• In circle A, MN is a secant line.
 Theorems on
Angles Formed by
Tangents and
Secants
 Theore
m1

• 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.
Theore
m1
 Theore
m2

• 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.
Theore
m2
 Theore
m3

• 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
Theore
m3
 Theore
m4

• 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
Theore
m4
Theore
m4
 Theore
m5

• 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.
Theore
m5
Theore
m5
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