Tangent and Radius Relationship
What is the relationship between the tangent line and the radius that meet on the circle?
Use the definitions and hints below, along with the manipulative, to figure out the answer.
Tangent Line: A line that only touches the circle once. This is represented by line BC.
Radius: The segment connecting the center of the circle to the circumference of the circle. This is represented by segment AB.
Hint: What do you think the measure of angle ABC is? Which theorem can you use to show this when you have a triangle?
Move the points to explore.
Hint: Can you verify that BC2 + BA2 = AC2 ? What does this mean is true about angle ABC, also known as where the tangent meets the radius?