U2C2: Special Segments in Circles

Question 1

secant

Answer 1

a line that passes through a circle in two points (extended beyond circle)

Question 2

how are the lengths of segments of secants related?

Answer 2

the product of pa times pb = the product of px times py

Question 3

tangent

Answer 3

touches the circle in just one point (point of tangency)

Question 4

properties of tangents

Answer 4

1. tangents are perpendicular to the radius at the point of tangency
2. two tangents drawn from the same exterior point have the same length

Question 5

how do you find the lengths of secant and tangent segments?

Answer 5

if a secant and a tangent of a circle are drawn from a point outside the circle, then the product of the lengths of the secant and its external segment equals the square of the length of the tangent segment