Question 1

In the second solution why isn't it a tangent of O when it intersects at one point C?

Accepted Answer

That's a good question, because point C is so clearly labeled, that it looks like that's the ONLY point of contact. But just because point C is labeled, doesn't mean it's the only point of contact, therefore it might not be a point of tangency, as we see from the angles. :-)

Question 2

The first question answer is totally wired. If the reason of line *AC* to be tangent to O *circle* is because AC *line* perpendicular to OC *line*, then I can disprove that by shortening the length of OC *line*. 
_The first answer is more reasonable to me._
​​

Accepted Answer

`OC` is a radius, to arbitrarily shorten it would completely alter the illustration. To test for perpendicularity, compute the unknown angle from the known angles:

```
32 + 58 + x = 180
```

if `x = 90º`, then you have conclusively proven perpendicularity.

Question 3

How do you know that a line is a tangent?

Accepted Answer

It's *Tangent if…
• it intersects at _only one point_ on the circumference,
_AND_
• it _creates 90° angle with the radius*_, (therefore is perpendicular to the radius).

Notice the *reference image is a "not to scale figure", _it only gives a semblance of the lines positions*_, so it is inaccurate, and *only used for visual cues to line arrangements*, not to indicate all the intersection points, not to estimate angles.

So, we know both of *these lines*, (in these questions), *pass through a point on the circumference*, _but we can't tell if that's the only point by just looking at an imprecise reference picture_, so *check to see if a 90° is made between line and radius*.

In these questions, _*only by doing the calculation can we know_ if the line meets the definition as Tangent*.

✯*Tangent* is to be both traits:
• *single circumference intersect*
• *perpendicular with radius*, (drawn from intersection point), therefore creates 90° angle

✯Never rely on a "Not to Scale Figure" to draw a conclusion, _always check by calculating the given values_.

(ㆁωㆁ) Hope this helps.

Question 4

What is an easy way to remember this if I am learning like three other things at a time

Accepted Answer

When you're learning several things at once, it can also help to connect the new ideas to others that you already have. Did you ever use regular polygons with lots of sides to approximate the area or the perimeter of a circle? If you did, you drew lots of tangent lines to the circle, and you figured out the measurements of the polygon by drawing right triangles using the radius as one side of the triangle and sections of a tangent line as another side. So remembering that picture can help us remember that the line tangent to a circle at a point is at a right angle to the radius that touches the same point.
You could also try watching the video _Proof: 
Radius is perpendicular to tangent line_. It shows you a way of convincing yourself that the tangent line must be perpendicular to the radius.

Question 5

In the second solution why isn't it a tangent of O when it intersects at one point C?

Accepted Answer

Add up the two other interior angles of triangle ABC. The sum of Angle A (51 degrees) and Angle B (49 degrees) is 100 degrees, so measure of angle ACB is actually 80 degrees, even though it appears to be a right angle. Therefore, segment AC is not perpendicular to segment BC.

Question 6

How can we prove a perpendicular bisectors of chord of a circle passes through centre.

Accepted Answer

Do not up-vote this. It is incorrect, but the comment just below is correct.

I think it is not necessarily true that a perpendicular bisector of a chord of a circle will always pass through the center. It could be to one side or another of the center. This article is about tangents, which must be perpendicular to the circle's radius at the point that it comes in contact with the circle.

Question 7

If right triangle are other 2 angles 45 degrees

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. The other two angles could be any numbers as long as they add up to 90 degrees.

Geometry (all content)

Course: Geometry (all content) > Unit 14

Determining tangent lines: angles

Problem 1

Problem 2

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