Circles
Introduction to Circles
Circle and line in a plane
For a circle and a line on a plane, there can be three possibilities.
i) they can be non-intersecting
ii) they can have a single common point: in this case, the line touches the circle.
ii) they can have two common points: in this case, the line cuts the circle.
(i) Non intersecting (ii) Touching (iii) Intersecting
Tangent
A tangent to a circle is a line that touches the circle at exactly one point. For every point
on the circle, there is a unique tangent passing through it.
, Tangent
Secant
A secant to a circle is a line that has two points in common with the circle. It cuts the
circle at two points, forming a chord of the circle.
Secant
Introduction to Circles
Circle and line in a plane
For a circle and a line on a plane, there can be three possibilities.
i) they can be non-intersecting
ii) they can have a single common point: in this case, the line touches the circle.
ii) they can have two common points: in this case, the line cuts the circle.
(i) Non intersecting (ii) Touching (iii) Intersecting
Tangent
A tangent to a circle is a line that touches the circle at exactly one point. For every point
on the circle, there is a unique tangent passing through it.
, Tangent
Secant
A secant to a circle is a line that has two points in common with the circle. It cuts the
circle at two points, forming a chord of the circle.
Secant
