Segment Lengths in

Circles
Mrs. Rawat
 Theorem
When chords intersect, the chords break
into segments that are equal when
multiplied.
D

A X
B

C
AX  XB  CX  XD
 Theorem
When chords intersect, the chords break
into segments that are equal when
multiplied.
D
8
A 6 X 4
3 B

C
AX  XB  CX  XD
 Theorem
When chords intersect, the chords break
into segments that are equal when
multiplied.
D
K
10 X
A 4 B
9

C
AX  XB  CX  XD
 Theorem
When chords intersect, the chords break
into segments that are equal when
multiplied.
D
4
K 4
K 9
10 X
A 4 B
9

C
AX  XB  CX  XD
 Theorem
When two secants intersect a circle, the
segments of the secants (the chord and
the whole secant ) are equal when
multiplied together. MN  MO  MP  MQ
 Theorem
When two secants intersect a circle, the
segments of the secants (the chord and
the whole secant ) are equal when
multiplied together. MN  MO  MP  MQ
X
8 610  6  8 X  8
10 616  8 X  64
6

PICTURE NOT 1 DRAWN

TO SCALE
 Theorem
When two secants intersect a circle, the
segments of the secants (the chord and
the whole secant ) are equal when
multiplied together. MN  MO  MP  MQ
X
610  6  8 X  8
8 616  8 X  64
6 10 96  8 X  64
32  8 X
PICTURE NOT 1 DRAWN X 4
TO SCALE
 Theorem
A tangent and a secant GF  GD  CD  CD
DF  GD  CD 2
 Theorem
A tangent and a secant DF  GD  CD  CD
DF  GD  CD 2

30

25 X
 Theorem
A tangent and a secant DF  GD  CD  CD
DF  GD  CD 2

24

X
12
 Theorem
A tangent and a secant DF  GD  CD  CD
DF  GD  CD 2

24  12 x  12 
2

24
576  12 x  144
X 432  12 x
12
x  36
 Example 4: Using Properties of Tangents

HK and HG are tangent to F. Find HG.

2 segments tangent to
HK = HG  from same ext. point
 segments .
5a – 32 = 4 + 2a Substitute 5a – 32 for
HK and 4 + 2a for HG.
3a – 32 = 4 Subtract 2a from both sides.
3a = 36 Add 32 to both sides.
a = 12 Divide both sides by 3.
HG = 4 + 2(12) Substitute 12 for a.
= 28 Simplify.
 Check It Out! Example 4a
RS and RT are tangent to Q. Find RS.
2 segments tangent to 
RS = RT from same ext. point 
segments .
x
Substitute 4 for RS and
x – 6.3 for RT.
x = 4x – 25.2 Multiply both sides by 4.
–3x = –25.2 Subtract 4x from both sides.
x = 8.4 Divide both sides by –3.
Substitute 8.4 for x.

= 2.1 Simplify.