Tangent and Radius Relationship
What is the relationship between a 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? What 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?