Example 3(Method 1)
PQ is a chord of length 8 cm of a circle of radius 5 cm. The tangents at P and Q intersect at a point T (see figure). Find the length TP.
Join OT.
Let OT intersect PQ at R
From theorem 10.2,
Lengths of tangents from external point are equal
So, TP = TQ
In ΔTPQ,
TP = TQ, i.e. two sides are equal,
So, Δ TPQ is an isosceles triangle
Here, OT is bisector of ∠ PTQ,
So OT ⊥ PQ
Since OT ⊥ PQ
So, PR = RQ
So, PR = QR = 1/2PQ = 8/2 = 4 cm
In right triangle ORP
By Pythagoras theorem
(Hypotenuse)2 = (Height)2 + (Base)2
(OP)2 = (PR)2 + (OR)2
52 = 42 + OR2
25 = 16 + OR2
25 – 16 = OR2
9 = OR2
OR2 = 9
OR = √9 = √(3^2 ) = 3 cm
Let TP = x
By Pythagoras theorem,
(Hypotenuse)2 = (Height)2 + (Base)2
(OT)2 = (OP)2 + (TP)2
(OT)2 = 52 + x2
(OR + RT)2 = 52 + x2
(3 + RT)2 = 52 + x2
32 + RT2 + 2(3)RT= 52 + x2
9 + RT2 + 6RT= 25 + x2
9 + RT2 + 6RT= 25 + 16 + RT2
RT2 + 6RT – RT2 = 25 + 16 – 9
6RT = 32
RT = 32/6
RT = 16/3
From (1)
x2 = 16 + RT2
Putting value of RT
x2 = 16 + (16/3)^2
x2 = 16 + 256/9
x2 = (16 × 9 + 256)/9
x2 = (144 + 256)/9
x2 = 400/9
x = √(400/9)
x = √((20)2/32) = √((20/3)^2 ) = 20/3
Hence, TP = x = 20/3 cm
Example 3(Method 2)
PQ is a chord of length 8 cm of a circle of radius 5 cm. The tangents at P and Q intersect at a point T (see figure). Find the length TP.
Let TP = x
Join OQ
Since TP is a tangent,
OP ⊥ TP
∴ ∠ OPT = 90°
Similarly,
Since TQ is a tangent,
OQ ⊥ TQ
∴ ∠ OQT = 90°
In Δ OPT & Δ OQT
TP = TQ
OT = OT
OP = OQ
So, Δ OPT ≅ Δ OQT
So, ∠ POT = ∠ QOT
In Δ OPR & Δ OQR
OP = OQ
∠ POR = ∠ QOR
OR = OR
So, Δ OPR ≅ Δ OQR
So, PR = QR
So, PR = QR = 1/2PQ = 8/2 = 4 cm
Also,
Since Δ OPR ≅ Δ OQR
So, ∠ PRO = ∠ QRO
But,
∠ PRO + ∠ QRO = 180°
∠ PRO + ∠ PRO = 180°
2∠ PRO = 180°
∠ PRO = (180°)/2
∠ PRO = 90°
So,
∠ QRO = 90°
Also, ∠ PRT = ∠ QRO = 90°
By Pythagoras theorem,
(Hypotenuse)2 = (Height)2 + (Base)2
In right triangle ORP
By Pythagoras theorem
(OP)2 = (PR)2 + (OR)2
52 = 42 + OR2
25 = 16 + OR2
25 – 16 = OR2
9 = OR2
OR2 = 9
OR = √9
OR = √(3^2 )
OR = 3 cm
Pythagoras theorem,
(Hypotenuse)2 = (Height)2 + (Base)2
9 + RT2 + 6RT= 25 + x2
9 + RT2 + 6RT= 25 + 16 + RT2
RT2 + 6RT – RT2 = 25 + 16 – 9
6RT = 32
RT = 32/6
RT = 16/3
From (3)
x2 = 16 + RT2
Putting value of RT
x2 = 16 + (16/3)^2
x2 = 16 + 256/9
x2 = (16 × 9 + 256)/9
x2 = (144 + 256)/9
x2 = 400/9
x = √(400/9)
x = √((20)2/32)
x = √((20/3)^2 )
x = 20/3
Hence, TP = x = 20/3 cm
Made by
Davneet Singh
Davneet Singh has done his B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. He has been teaching from the past 15 years. He provides courses for Maths, Science and Computer Science at Teachoo
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