CBSE Class 10 Maths Circles Notes:-
A brief introduction to circles for Class 10 is provided here. Get the complete description
provided here to learn about the concept of the circle. Also, learn how to draw a tangent to the
circle with various theorems and examples.
The Class 10 Maths Chapter 10, ‘Circles’, covers concepts such as introduction to the circles,
tangent to a circle, and the number of tangents from a point on a circle.
Introduction to Circles
As we know that a circle is a closed two-dimensional geometrical figure, such that all points on
the surface of a circle are equidistant from the point called the “centre”. The distance from the
centre to any point on the surface of a circle is called “Radius”.
Circle and Line in a Plane
For a circle and a line on a plane, there can be three possibilities.
i) they can be non-intersecting
ii) they can have a single common point: in this case, the line touches the circle.
ii) they can have two common points: in this case, the line cuts the circle.
(i) Non-intersecting (ii) Touching (iii) Intersecting
Tangent
A tangent to a circle is a line that touches the circle at exactly one point. For every point on the
circle, there is a unique tangent passing through it.
Tangent
Secant
A secant to a circle is a line that has two points in common with the circle. It cuts the circle at
two points, forming a chord of the circle.
Secant
Tangent as a Special Case of Secant
Tangent as a special case of Secant
The tangent to a circle can be seen as a special case of the secant when the two endpoints of its
corresponding chord coincide.
Two Parallel Tangents at most for a Given Secant
For every given secant of a circle, there are exactly two tangents which are parallel to it and
touches the circle at two diametrically opposite points.
Parallel tangents
From the given diagram, we can observe the following points:
PQ is the secant of a circle.
P’Q’ & P”Q” are two tangents which are parallel to PQ.
Theorems
Tangent Perpendicular to the Radius at the Point of Contact
Theorem: The theorem states that “the tangent to the circle at any point is the perpendicular to
the radius of the circle that passes through the point of contact”.
Tangent and radius
Here, O is the centre and OP⊥XY.
Theorem Proof:
Assume a circle with centre “O” and XY being the tangent to the circle at point “P”. Now, we
have to prove that OP is perpendicular to the tangent XY.
Now, consider a point Q on the tangent line XY, other than P. Join the points OQ as shown in the
figure.
Here, point Q should lie outside the circle. Because if the point Q lies inside the circle, XY will not
be a tangent to the circle. It means that XY will become a secant of a circle.
So, OQ should be greater than the radius of the circle OP.
It means that OQ > OP
As, this condition is obeyed for all points on line XY except P, OP should be the shortest of all
distances from the centre of the circle “O” to the points of line XY.
Thus, we can conclude that OP is perpendicular to XY.
Hence, the theorem is proved.
The Number of Tangents Drawn from a Given Point
i) If the point is in an interior region of the circle, any line through that point will be a secant.
So, no tangent can be drawn to a circle which passes through a point that lies inside it.
No tangent can be drawn to a circle from a point inside it
AB is a secant drawn through the point S
ii) When a point of tangency lies on the circle, there is exactly one tangent to a circle that passes
through it.
A tangent passing through a point lying on the circle
iii) When the point lies outside of the circle, there are accurately two tangents to a circle
through it
Tangents to a circle from an external point
Length of a Tangent
The length of the tangent from the point (Say P) to the circle is defined as the segment of the
tangent from the external point P to the point of tangency I with the circle. In this case, PI is the
tangent length.
Lengths of Tangents Drawn from an External Point
Theorem: “The lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.”
Tangents to a circle from an external point
Assume that we are provided with a circle whose centre is “O” and P is the point that lies outside
the circle.
The two tangents formed here are PQ ad PR on the circle from the point P as shown in the figure.
Now, we have to prove PQ = PR.
To prove this, now we have to join OP, OQ, and OR.
According to the theorem “The tangent to the circle at any point is perpendicular to the radius of
the circle that passes through the point of contact”, the angles formed between the tangents
and radii are right angles.
So, two right angles are formed, such as ∠OQP and ∠ORP.
Thus, from the radii of the same circle, we can write OQ = OR.
Common side: OP = OP.
Hence, using the RHS congruence rule,
∆ OQP ≅ ∆ ORP
Thus, it gives PQ = PR [Using CPCT].
Hence the theorem is proved.
Thus, the two important theorems in Class 10 Maths Chapter 10 Circles are:
Theorem 10.1: The tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius through the
point of contact.
Theorem 10.2: The lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.
Interesting facts about Circles and its properties are listed below:
In two concentric circles, the chord of the larger circle, which touches the smaller circle, is
bisected at the point of contact.
The tangents drawn at the ends of a diameter of a circle are parallel.
The perpendicular at the point of contact to the tangent to a circle passes through the
centre.
The angle between the two tangents drawn from an external point to a circle is
supplementary to the angle subtended by the line segment joining the points of contact at
the centre.
The parallelogram circumscribing a circle is a rhombus.
The opposite sides of a quadrilateral circumscribing a circle subtend supplementary angles
at the centre of the circle.
