CBSE
2026
Class Class 10 · Mathematics
3 Marks · Short
✅ Verified
**(a)** Prove that the lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.
**OR**
**(b)** Two tangents TP and TQ are drawn to a circle with centre O from an external point T. Prove that $\angle$ PTQ = 2 $\angle$ OPQ.
✅ Answer & Solution
### (a) Tangents from an external point are equal
**Given :** A circle with centre $O$; $P$ an external point; $PA$ and $PB$ are tangents touching the circle at $A$ and $B$.
**To prove :** $PA = PB$
**Construction :** Join $OA$, $OB$ and $OP$.
**Proof :**
**Step 1 β** $OA \perp PA$ and $OB \perp PB$ (radius $\perp$ tangent at point of contact)
$$\therefore\ \angle OAP = \angle OBP = 90^\circ$$
**Step 2 β In right triangles $\triangle OAP$ and $\triangle OBP$ :**
- $OA = OB$ (radii of the same circle)
- $OP = OP$ (common hypotenuse)
- $\angle OAP = \angle OBP = 90^\circ$
**Step 3 β** By **RHS congruence rule**,
$$\triangle OAP \cong \triangle OBP$$
**Step 4 β** By CPCT,
$$PA = PB$$
$$\textbf{Hence proved.}$$
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### (b) To prove $\angle PTQ = 2\angle OPQ$
**Step 1 β Let $\angle PTQ = \theta$.**
**Step 2 β Use equal tangents.**
$TP = TQ$ (tangents from external point $T$)
$\Rightarrow \triangle TPQ$ is isosceles $\Rightarrow \angle TPQ = \angle TQP$
**Step 3 β Apply the angle sum property in $\triangle TPQ$.**
$$\angle TPQ + \angle TQP + \angle PTQ = 180^\circ$$
$$2\angle TPQ = 180^\circ - \theta$$
$$\angle TPQ = 90^\circ - \frac{\theta}{2}$$
**Step 4 β Use the tangentβradius property at P.**
$$\angle OPT = 90^\circ$$
**Step 5 β Find $\angle OPQ$.**
$$\angle OPQ = \angle OPT - \angle TPQ = 90^\circ - \left(90^\circ - \frac{\theta}{2}\right) = \frac{\theta}{2}$$
**Step 6 β Conclude.**
$$\theta = 2\,\angle OPQ \ \Rightarrow\ \angle PTQ = 2\,\angle OPQ$$
$$\textbf{Hence proved.}$$
✅ Verified by Super Admin