Prove that the lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.

Given: CA and CB are two tangents drawn from an external point C to the circle with center O and radius r.

The figure is given as:



To prove: CA = CB


Firstly, join OC.


Proof:


Since, tangent to circle is perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact.


CAO = CBO = 90°


In ΔCAO and ΔCOB,


CO = CO (Common in both the triangles)


AO = BO (Radius of the circle)


CAO = CBO (90°)


ΔCAO ΔCBO (by RHS congruence criterion)


CA = CB (by CPCT)


Thus, the lengths of the tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.


22