From an external point P, two tangents PA and PB are drawn to a circle with centre O. If angle APB = 70 degrees, find angle AOB.

Answer: The measure of ∠AOB\angle AOB is 110∘110^\circ.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Identify properties of tangents and radii

A fundamental property of circles states that the radius drawn to the point of tangency is perpendicular to the tangent line. Therefore, the angle between radius OA and tangent PA is 90∘90^\circ, and the angle between radius OB and tangent PB is also 90∘90^\circ.

Step 2: Find ∠\angle AOB in quadrilateral OAPB

The sum of the interior angles in any quadrilateral is 360∘360^\circ. In quadrilateral OAPB, we know three angles: ∠OAP=90∘\angle OAP = 90^\circ, ∠OBP=90∘\angle OBP = 90^\circ, and the given ∠APB=70∘\angle APB = 70^\circ. By subtracting the sum of these three angles from 360∘360^\circ, we can determine the measure of ∠AOB\angle AOB.

More from this chapter

All Circles solutions →

Solve your own maths question free →