Question

The common point of tangent and circle is called

A) Intersecting point

B) Secant

C) Point of contact

D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The tangent is a line that touches the circle at a single point, and we have to find the name of that point of intersection. We will write an elaborative definition of all the options and will see which option suits the most.

Complete step by step solution:

A circle can be defined as a group of points at the same distance from a fixed point. The fixed point is the center of the circle and the fixed distance is called the radius of the circle.

A secant to a circle can be defined as a line which intersects the circle at exactly two points. The secant divides the circle into two parts.

A tangent is a special line which intersects with the circle at a single point only; it means the tangent touches the circle at that point.

For each and every point on the circle, we can draw a tangent to the circle passing through that point and perpendicular to the line segment joining the centre and that point.

After drawing the tangent,  Point of contact of a tangent to the circle is the point at which a tangent touches the circle.

This point on the circle at which a tangent is drawn is called the Point of contact.

Hence, option (C) is correct.

Note: Students must not get confused between Point of contact and Intersecting point. The intersecting point is much used in dealing with straight lines. This is also called the point of intersection.