In Fig. 10.97, the sides AB, BC and CA of triangle ABC, touch a circle at P, Q and R respectively. If PA = 4 cm, BP = 3 cm and AC = 11cm, then length of BC is

Given:


PA = 4 cm


BP = 3 cm


AC = 11cm


Property: If two tangents are drawn to a circle from one external point, then their tangent segments (lines joining the external point and the points of tangency on circle) are equal.


By above property,


AP = AR = 4 cm (tangent from A)


BP = BQ = 3 cm (tangent from B)


QC = RC (tangent from C)


Clearly,


RC = AC – AR


RC = 11 cm 4 cm


RC = 7 cm


Now,


BC = BQ + QC


BC = BQ + RC [ QC = RC]


BC = 3 cm + 7 cm


BC = 10 cm


Hence, BC = 10 cm

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