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Tangent Of A Circle

Here we will learn about the circle theorems involving tangents of a circle, including their application, proof, and using them to solve more difficult problems.

There are also circle theorem worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What is the tangent of a circle?

A tangent of a circle is a straight line that touches the circumference of the circle at only one point.

  • The angle between a tangent and radius is 90 degrees.
  • Tangents which meet at the same point are equal in length.

In diagram 1 above, the tangent meets the circle at point A , which is perpendicular to ( 90 degrees to) the radius of the circle at that point (the point of tangency is at point A ).

In diagram 2, two tangents meet the circle at two different points ( B and D ) and they intersect at point A . If the points B and D are linked by a chord, AB and AD are the same length so ABD is an isosceles triangle. If the points B and D join to the centre of the circle C , they form a kite ABCD . This means that we have the two circle theorems:

Isosceles triangle

Kite

What is the tangent of a circle?

What is the tangent of a circle?

Key parts of a circle needed for these theorems

  • The radius of a circle is the distance from the centre to the circumference of the circle. The radius is half of the diameter
  • The centre  of the circle is a point that locates the middle of a circle.
  • The circumference of the circle is the distance around the edge of the circle.

Proving that if two tangents meet, they are the same length

To be able to prove this theorem, you do not need to know any other circle theorem. You just need to be confident with angles in a triangle. You also need to understand congruence.

StepDiagramDescription
1Firstly we take an arbitrary point labelled A (a random point in space) outside of the circle.
2The point A can be connected to the circle by two tangents. One line touches the circle at B, the other tangent touches the circle at C.
We need to prove that the length AB=AC. We do this by using triangles.
3If we join OA together and then connect OB and OC, we construct two triangles. If we can prove that these two triangles are congruent, then AC will be equal to AB.
4The angles OBA and OCA are 90 degrees each as tangents meet a circle at 90 degrees. This means we have two right angle triangles.
We can also see that as OB and OC are radii of the circle, they must be the same length.
5Triangles AOB and AOC are both right angles. They share the same side length AO and another side length of each triangle is the same as it is the radius of the circle (OB=OC). This means that the two triangles are congruent and so AC = AB.
This means that tangents that meet at the same point are equal in length.

How to use the tangent theorems

In order to use the tangent of a circle:

  1. Locate the key parts of the circle for the theorem.
  2. Use other angle facts to determine the remaining angle(s) made with the tangent.
  3. Use the tangent theorem to state the other missing angle.

How to use the tangent theorems

How to use the tangent theorems

Tangent of a circle worksheet

Tangent of a circle worksheet

Tangent of a circle worksheet

Get your free Tangent of a circle worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

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Tangent of a circle worksheet

Tangent of a circle worksheet

Tangent of a circle worksheet

Get your free Tangent of a circle worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

DOWNLOAD FREE

Tangent of a circle is one of 7 circle theorems you will need to know. You may find it helpful to start with our main circle theorems page and then look in detail at the rest.

Tangent of a circle examples

Example 1: standard diagram

Points A , B , and C are on the circumference of a circle with centre O . DE is a tangent at point A . Calculate the size of angle BAD .

  1. Locate the key parts of the circle for the theorem.

Here we have:

  • The angle BCA = 52°
  • AC is a diameter
  • DE is a tangent
  • The angle BAD = θ

2Use other angle facts to determine the remaining angle(s) made with the tangent.

As AC is a diameter and the angle in a semicircle is 90° , angle ABC = 90° . As angles in a triangle total 180° ,

\[CAB=180-(90+52)\\ CAB=38^{\circ}\]

3Use the tangent theorem to state the other missing angle.

As the angle between the tangent and the radius is 90° , we can now calculate angle BAD :

\[BAD=90-38\\ BAD=52^{\circ}\]

Example 2: angles in the same segment

A, B, C and D are points on the circumference of a circle with centre O . AC and BD intersect at the point G . EF is a tangent at point C and is parallel to BD . Calculate the size of angle BCF .

Locate the key parts of the circle for the theorem.

Use other angle facts to determine the remaining angle(s) made with the tangent.

Use the tangent theorem to state the other missing angle.

Example 3: angles at the centre

A circle with centre O has three points on the circumference, A, B , and C . The tangent DE passes through the point C . Calculate the size of angle BCE .

Locate the key parts of the circle for the theorem.

Use other angle facts to determine the remaining angle(s) made with the tangent.

Use the tangent theorem to state the other missing angle.

Example 4: tangent of a circle

B, C and D are points on the circumference of a circle with centre O . AE and AF are tangents to the circle. Calculate the size of angle DBF.

Locate the key parts of the circle for the theorem.

Use other angle facts to determine the remaining angle(s) made with the tangent.

Use the tangent theorem to state the other missing angle.

Example 5: alternate segment theorem

The triangle ABC is inscribed in a circle with centre O . DE is a tangent at the point A . Calculate the size of the angle OAC .

Locate the key parts of the circle for the theorem.

Use other angle facts to determine the remaining angle(s) made with the tangent.

Use the tangent theorem to state the other missing angle.

Example 6: complex diagram

ABCD is an arrowhead inscribed inside a circle with centre C . The two tangents EF and GH meet at the external point P . Calculate the size of angle FPG .

Locate the key parts of the circle for the theorem.

Use other angle facts to determine the remaining angle(s) made with the tangent.

Use the tangent theorem to state the other missing angle.

Common misconceptions

  • The angle between the tangent and the radius

Either through miscalculation or an assumption, the angle between the tangent and the radius is not 90° because “it doesn’t look like it”, it must be proven.

  • The alternate segment theorem

There are cases when the Alternate Segment Theorem is used to describe the angle at the tangent or the angle in the alternate segment at the circumference but neither are true. Take Example 5 above. The angle OAC is assumed to be equal to 56° whereas angle CAE is equal to 56° .

  • The angle is double or half the opposing angle

The kite that is formed when two tangents meet has two angles of 90° and 90° because they meet the radius at 90° . The other two angles are assumed to be double or half whereas they should total 180° (it is a unique case for the cyclic quadrilateral).

Below is Example 4. The angle COB is correctly equal to 144° as 72×2=144° . The angle CAB is incorrectly equal to 144÷2 = 72° . This is incorrect because angles in a quadrilateral should total 360° , whereas shape ABOC has a total of 90+90+144+72=396° . The only case when this is correct is when ABOC is a square.

Practice tangent of a circle questions

1. The right triangle ABC is inscribed in the circle with centre O . The line DE is a tangent to the circle with the point of contact at A . Angle BAD = 78^{\circ} . Calculate the size of the angle ABC .

78^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

12^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

90^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

68^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False
  • BAC = 90 – 78 = 12^{\circ} (the tangent meets the radius at 90^{\circ} )
  • ABC = 90^{\circ} (angles in a semicircle)
  • ABC = 180 – (90+12) = 78^{\circ} (angles in a triangle)

2. A, B, C, and D are points on the circumference of a circle with centre O . AC and BD are endpoints of two perpendicular lines with AC passing through the center of the circle. EF is a tangent to the circle at point C . Calculate the size of the angle BCF .

56^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

22^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

44^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

68^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True
  • DBC = 68^{\circ} ( BD is parallel to EF as BD and AC are perpendicular)
  • BGC = 90^{\circ} (chord of a triangle)
  • BCG = 180 – (90+68) = 22^{\circ}
  • 90 – 22 = 68^{\circ} (the tangent meets the radius at 90^{\circ} )

3. The triangle ABC is inscribed into a circle with centre O . The line DE is a tangent at the point C . The angle BCE = θ. Calculate the size of angle BCE .

45^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

61^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

29^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

90^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

OCA = 29^{\circ} (triangle OAC is isosceles as OA = OC )
ABC = 90^{\circ} (angles in a semicircle)
OCB = 90 – 29 = 61^{\circ}
BCE = 90 – 61 = 29^{\circ} (the tangent meets the radius at 90^{\circ} )

4. A circle with centre O has three points on the circumference, B, C and D . The lines AE and AF are tangents to the circle at the points B and C . The tangents meet at the point A . Angle BAC = 40^{\circ} . Calculate the size of the angle ODC .

60^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

80^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

40^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

55^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True
  • OAC = 40\div2 = 20^{\circ} ( OA bisects the angle BAC )
  • ACO = 90^{\circ} (angles in a semicircle)
  • AOC = 180 – (90+20) = 70^{\circ} (angles in a triangle)
  • OCD is an isosceles triangle as OC = OD
  • ODC = (180-70)\div2=55^{\circ} (angles in an isosceles triangle)

5. A circle with centre O has three points on the circumference, A, B , and C . The line DE is a tangent to the circle at the point A . Angle BAD = 78^{\circ} . Calculate the size of the angle ABC .

86^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

4^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

90^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

88^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False
  • EAC = 4^{\circ} (alternate segment theorem)
  • OAC = 90^{\circ} (angles in a semicircle)
  • OAC = 90 – 4 = 86^{\circ}

6. A, B, and D are points on the circle with centre C . The tangents EF and GH intersect at the point P at an angle of 112^{\circ} . Calculate the size of angle BAD .

112^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

56^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

68^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

34^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False
  • BPD = 180 – 112 = 68^{\circ} (angles on a straight line)
  • CDP = CBP = 90^{\circ} (the tangent meets the radius at 90^{\circ} )
  • BCD = 180 – (90+90+68) = 112^{\circ} (angles in a quadrilateral)
  • BAD = 112\div2 = 56^{\circ} (angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference)

Tangent of a circle GCSE questions

1. (a) The circle below has centre O . The triangle ABC is inscribed into the triangle. The tangent DE goes through the point A . BC = AC . Calculate the size angle x .
(b) Hence find the value of y .
c) What type of triangle is ABC ?

 

(7 marks)

Show answer

(a)
BCA = 60^{\circ}

(1)

The angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference

(1)

Reflex angle AOB = 360 - 120 = 240^{\circ}

(1)

Angles in a quadrilateral total 360^{\circ}

(1)

x = OAC = 360 - (60+30+240) = 30^{\circ}

(1)

(b)
y=CAE=90 - 30 = 60^{\circ}

(1)

(c)
Equilateral

(1)

2. (a) ABC is a triangle inscribed in a circle with centre O . The tangent DE passes through the point C . Calculate the size of angle x . Explain your answer.


(b) Hence or otherwise, calculate the value of y . Give a reason for your answer.

 

 

(7 marks)

Show answer

(a)
BCO = 4^{\circ}

(1)

Tangent meets the radius at 90^{\circ}

(1)

COB = 180 - (4+4) = 172^{\circ}

(1)

Triangle COB is isosceles as OC = OB

(1)

x= 360 - 172 = 188^{\circ}

(1)

 

(b)
y=172\div2=86^{\circ}

(1)

The angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference

(1)

3. The circle below has centre C . A and B are points on the circumference of the circle with the tangent DE going through the circle at B . The line AE is a straight line through the centre of the circle. The angle BAC = 3x-10^{\circ} and the angle BEC = 20^{\circ} . By calculating the value of x , calculate the size of angle BAC . State any angle facts used in your answer.

 

(7 marks)

Show answer

ABC is an isosceles triangle as AC = BC are radii

(1)

CBE = 90^{\circ} as the tangent meets the radius at 90^{\circ}

(1)

BCE = 180 - (90 + 20) = 70^{\circ} as Angles in a triangle total 180^{\circ}

(1)

ACB = 180 - 70 = 110^{\circ} as angles on a straight line total 180^{\circ}

(1)

3x-10+3x-10+110=180 or 6x+90=180

(1)

6x=90 so x=15

(1)

BAC = 3\times15-10=35^{\circ}

(1)

Learning checklist

You have now learned how to:

  • Apply and prove the standard circle theorems concerning angles, radii, tangents and chords, and use them to prove related results

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