Tangent to a circle

Tangent to a circle does not cut the circle; it touches the circle.

In the figure below, a circle centre O, is cut by a straight line MN at the two points X and Y. ∆
OXY is isosceles and ‘OXY = ‘OYX. Hence ‘OXM = ‘OYN.

Fig. 24 M X Y N

The next figure below shows what happens to the positions of X and Y if MN moves
downwards. X and Y occupy new positions such as X 1, Y1 and X2, Y2, etc, becoming closer to
each other.

O
O

M X Y N

M X2 Y2 N
Fig. 25

Eventually the points X and Y will coincide at a single point T as in the next figure below.
___ ____
Similarly the radii OX and OY will coincide to become one radius, OT.

Fig. 26
M T N

Since <OXM = <OYN (fig. 24), it follows that in fig 26,

<OTM = <OTN

And since MTN is a straight line,

<OTM = >OTN = 90° (=1/2 of straight <MTN).

___ ____
Hence OT MN ( means is perpendicular to).

In fig. 26, the line MN is called a tangent to the circle. A tangent does not cut the circle;

it touches the circle.

Remember the following:

1. A tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius drawn to its point of contact.

2. The perpendicular bisector to a tangent at its point of contact passes through the

centre of the circle.

Fig. 27

Example 1

Calculate the size of θ in each part of fig.28.O is the centre of the circle

a) b)
O

Θ O Θ
54°
48°
Fig. 28
Solution

a) Θ= 90° - 54° = 36° b) θ= 90° - 48° = 42°