Circles | Exercise 10.1

Question 4

Draw a circle and two lines parallel to a given line such that one is a tangent and the other, a secant to the circle.

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Solution
Understand the Question
  • Tangent: A line that touches the circle at exactly one point (perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact).
  • Secant: A line that intersects the circle at two distinct points.
  • Objective: Given a line ABAB, construct two lines parallel to ABAB such that one is a tangent and the other is a secant to the circle.

Step 1 · Set Up the Circle and Given Line

Draw a circle with center OO and a given straight line ABAB.Diagram 1

Step 2 · Draw Perpendicular Line to AB

Draw a line passing through center OO perpendicular to line ABAB, meeting ABAB at point PP.Diagram 2

Step 3 · Mark Points for Tangent and Secant

Extend line OPOP to intersect the circle at point XX (on the circumference) and choose any point YY on OPOP inside the circle.Diagram 3

Step 4 · Construct Parallel Tangent and Secant Lines

  • Draw a line CDCD through point XX perpendicular to OPOP. Since CDOPCD \perp OP and ABOPAB \perp OP, CDABCD \parallel AB. Because CDCD touches the circle at only point XX, CDCD is a tangent.
  • Draw a line EFEF through point YY perpendicular to OPOP. Since EFOPEF \perp OP and ABOPAB \perp OP, EFABEF \parallel AB. Because EFEF passes through the interior and cuts the circle at two points, EFEF is a secant.
Answer

Line CDCD is the tangent and line EFEF is the secant, both parallel to the given line ABAB.

Common Mistakes
  • Tangent vs Secant: A tangent must touch the circle at exactly 11 point on the boundary, whereas a secant must pass through the interior and intersect the circle at 22 distinct points.
  • Parallel Condition: Both lines must be perpendicular to the same common normal line OPOP to ensure they are parallel to line ABAB.

More questions in Exercise 10.1

Q1

How many tangents can a circle have?

Q2

Fill in the blanks:

(i) A tangent to a circle intersects it in ____________ point(s).

(ii) A line intersecting a circle in two points is called a ____________.

(iii) A circle can have ____________ parallel tangents at the most.

(iv) The common point of a tangent to a circle and the circle is called ____________.

Q3

A tangent PQPQ at a point PP of a circle of radius 5 cm5\text{ cm} meets a line through the centre OO at a point QQ so that OQ=12 cmOQ = 12\text{ cm}. Length PQPQ is :

(A) 12 cm12\text{ cm} (B) 13 cm13\text{ cm} (C) 8.5 cm8.5\text{ cm} (D) 119 cm\sqrt{119}\text{ cm}.

Q4

Draw a circle and two lines parallel to a given line such that one is a tangent and the other, a secant to the circle.

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