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