From an external point P, two tangents, PA and PB are drawn to a circle with center O. At one point E on the circle tangent is drawn which intersects PA and PB at C and D, respectively. If PA = 10 cm, find the perimeter of the triangle PCD.
Given : From an external point P, two tangents, PA and PB are drawn to a circle with center O. At a point E on the circle tangent is drawn which intersects PA and PB at C and D, respectively. And PA = 10 cm
To Find : Perimeter of △PCD
As we know that, Tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.
So we have
AC = CE [1] [Tangents from point C]
ED = DB [2] [Tangents from point D]
Now Perimeter of Triangle PCD
= PC + CD + DP
= PC + CE + ED + DP
= PC + AC + DB + DP [From 1 and 2]
= PA + PB
Now,
PA = PB = 10 cm as tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal
So we have
Perimeter = PA + PB = 10 + 10 = 20 cm