Question

Draw a circle with radius 4.1 cm. Construct tangents to the circle from a point at a distance 7.3 cm from the centre.

Answer 1

Steps of Construction:
As shown in the figure, let Q be a point in the exterior of circle at a distance of 5.5 cm.
Let QR and QS be the tangents to the circle at points R and S respectively.
∴ seg PR ⊥ tangent QR …[Tangent is perpendicular to radius]
∴ ∠PRQ = 90°

∴ point R is on the circle having PQ as diameter. …[Angle inscribed in a semicircle is a right angle]
Similarly, point S also lies on the circle having PQ as diameter.
∴ Points R and S lie on the circle with PQ as diameter.
On drawing a circle with PQ as diameter, the points where it intersects the circle with centre P, will be the positions of points R and S respectively.
Ray QR and QS are the required tangents to the circle from point Q.