Question

Assertion (A): Radius is the smallest distance of a tangent from the centre of the circle.

Reason (R): Radius is perpendicular to the tangent.

Options

• Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

• Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

• Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

• Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer 1

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

Explanation:

A tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact. In geometry, the perpendicular distance from a point to a line is always the shortest distance.

Since the radius is perpendicular to the tangent, it represents the minimum (smallest) distance from the centre to the tangent.