Point of Tangency
The point where the line touches the curve is called the point of tangency. The tangent to a curve touches the circumference of the curve only at the point of tangency. For the circle point of tangency is the point on the circumference of the circle, from which the tangent line passes. The radius drawn from the point of tangency to the centre of the circle is always perpendicular to the radius of the circle.
- From the above figures, the line is tangent to the circle and the point of tangency is P.
Tangent to a Circle
Tangent in Circles are the line segments that touch the given curve only at one particular point. Tangent is a Greek word meaning “To Touch”. For a circle, we can say that the line which touches the circle from the outside at one single point on the circumference is called the tangent of the circle.
A circle can have many tangents but at a particular point on the circumference of the circle, only one tangent passes through that point on the circle. The tangent to a circle is always perpendicular to the radius of the circle.
In this article, we will learn about tangents to a circle, the equation of tangent, their properties, theorems, and examples.
Read in Detail: Circles
Table of Content
- What is Tangent to a Circle?
- Tangent to a Circle Definition
- Tangent to a Circle
- Point of Tangency
- Equation of Tangent to a Circle
- Condition of Tangency
- Properties of Tangent
- Tangent Theorems
- Tangent Radius Theorem
- Two Tangents Theorem
- Tangent Formula
- Solved Examples on Tangents to a Circle
- Practice Problems on Tangent to a Circle