GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

21.3 Tangents and chords — Practise with help

Warm-up: remember

  1. How many degrees are in a right angle?
  2. A triangle has angles 90∘90^\circ and 36∘36^\circ. Find its third angle.
Answers
  1. 90∘90^\circ.
  2. 180−90−36=54∘180-90-36=54^\circ.

Practise with help

1. A tangent meets a radius at the point of contact. State the angle between them.

Hint

The tangent and radius are perpendicular.

Next step

Write the size of a right angle.

Full working

The angle is 90∘90^\circ.

2. Tangents from PP touch the circle at AA and BB. If PA=9PA=9 cm, find PBPB.

Hint

Tangents from one external point have equal lengths.

Next step

Set PB=PAPB=PA.

Full working

PB=PA=9PB=PA=9 cm.

3. A perpendicular from the centre meets a chord of length 1818 cm. Find the length of each half.

Hint

The perpendicular from the centre bisects the chord.

Next step

Divide 1818 by 22.

Full working

18÷2=918\div2=9 cm for each half.

4. The tangent-chord angle is 39∘39^\circ. Find the angle in the alternate segment.

Hint

Name the theorem that connects these two angles.

Next step

The theorem says the angles are equal.

Full working

The alternate segment angle is 39∘39^\circ.

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