Detailed Summary
In this section, we begin with a recap of what a circle is and the various terms associated with it, such as chords, segments, sectors, and arcs. We then focus on the interactions between lines and circles in planes, identifying three main scenarios:
- Non-Intersecting Line: A line that does not touch the circle (no common points).
- Secant: A line that intersects the circle at two points, forming a chord within the circle.
- Tangent: A line that touches the circle at exactly one point, known as the point of contact.
The section explains the existence of tangents, detailing two activities to visualize the concept:
- Activity 1 explores observationally the need for a tangent to touch a circle at only one point, emphasizing that as the line approaches the tangent position, the intersection point converges to a single point.
- Activity 2 involves drawing parallel lines to secants, demonstrating how tangents can be determined when two points of intersection collapse to one.
We also discuss important properties of tangents including:
- Tangents being perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact (Theorem 10.1).
- The uniqueness of tangents at a circle.
Furthermore, the section covers the number of tangents from a point:
- No tangent for points inside the circle.
- One tangent for points on the circle.
- Two tangents for points outside the circle.
Theorem 10.2 emphasizes the equality of lengths of tangents drawn from an external point.
Finally, practical examples serve to illustrate the concepts, leading to exercises designed to reinforce student understanding.