Question

Use ruler and compass only for answering this question. Draw a circle of radius 4 cm. Mark the center as 0. Mark a point P outside the circle at a distance of 7 cm from the center. Construct two tangents to the circle from the external point P. Measure and write down the length of any one tangent.

Answer 1

Steps of Construction :

1. Draw a circle of radius 4 cm and centre 0. 

2. Draw a radius and produce it to P, such that OP = 7 cm. 

3. Bisect OP at M. 

4. With M as centre and MP as radius, draw a circle to intersect the given circle at Q and R. 

5. Join PQ and PR. 

PQ and PR are the required tangents and length of the tangents is 5.74 cm.