TANGENT AND SECANT SEGMENTS

Two Chords Power Theorem

If two chords of a circle intersect, then the product of the measures of the segments of one chord is
equal to the product of the measures of the segments of the other chord.

In the circle shown on the left, ̅̅̅̅

𝐴𝐶 intersect ̅̅̅̅
𝐵𝐷
at 𝐸. From the theorem, 𝐴𝐸 ∙ 𝐶𝐴 = 𝐵𝐸 ∙ 𝐷𝐸.

External Secant Segment

An external secant segment is the part of a secant segment that is outside a circle.

In the figure, ̅̅̅̅̅

𝑂𝑀and ̅̅̅̅̅
𝑄𝑀 are secants. ̅̅̅̅̅
𝑁𝑀 and
̅̅̅̅̅
𝑃𝑀 are external secant segments.

Two Secants Power Theorem

If two secant segments are drawn to a circle from an exterior point, then the product of the lengths
of one secant segment and its external secant segment is equal to the product of the lengths of the
other secant segment and its external secant segment.

̅̅̅̅̅
𝑂𝑀 and ̅̅̅̅̅
𝑄𝑀 are secant segments drawn to the
circle from an exterior point 𝑀. From the
theorem, 𝑂𝑀 ∙ 𝑁𝑀 = 𝑄𝑀 ∙ 𝑃𝑄.

Tangent-Secants Power Theorem

If a tangent segment and a secant segment are drawn to a circle from an exterior point, then the
square of the length of the tangent segment is equal to the product of the lengths of the secant
segment and its external secant segment.

̅̅̅̅
𝑀𝐽 is a secant segment drawn to the circle from
̅̅̅ is a tangent segment that is
exterior point 𝐽.𝐾𝐽
also drawn to the circle from the same exterior
point 𝐽. From the theorem, (𝐾𝐽)2 = 𝑀𝐽 ∙ 𝐿𝐽.

1
EXAMPLES:
1. Find:
𝑥+3
a. 𝑥 𝑥
̅̅̅̅
b. 𝑚𝐴𝐸
c. 𝐴𝐶

8 6

SOLUTION:

a. 6(𝑥 + 3) = 8𝑥 b. 𝐴𝐸 = 𝑥 + 3 c. 𝐴𝐶 = 𝐴𝐸 + 𝐶𝐸
6𝑥 + 18 = 8𝑥 =9+3 = 12 + 6
18 = 2𝑥 = 𝟏𝟐 = 𝟏𝟖
𝟗=𝒙

2. Find:
a. 𝑥
b. 𝐽𝑀 20

a. 𝑥(𝑥 + 9) = 202 𝑥

𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 − 400 = 0 9

(𝑥 + 25)(𝑥 − 16) = 0
𝑥 + 25 = 0 𝑥 − 16 = 0 Since distance cannot be negative, we disregard 𝑥 = −25.
𝑥 = −25 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟔 The length of 𝑥 is 16.

b. 𝐽𝑀 = 𝑀𝐿 + 𝐽𝐿

=9+𝑥
= 9 + 16
= 𝟐𝟓

3. Find:
3
a. 𝑥
5
8 ∙ 5 = 4(4 + 𝑥)
40 = 16 + 4𝑥 4
𝑥

24 = 4𝑥
𝟔=𝒙

2
 SCORE: __________
POWER THEOREMS 15 pts.
ACTIVITY SHEET
PS: _____________

NAME: _______________________________ SECTION: ____________________ DATE: ______________

Find the measure of 𝑥 by applying Power Theorems. Show your complete solutions, then box the
final answer.

1. 2.

2𝑥
9

𝑥
8

3.
4.
10 6

12

5.