NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10 Circles (original) (raw)
Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025
Chapter 10 of the Class 10 NCERT Mathematics textbook, "Circles," focuses on the properties and theorems related to circles. It covers topics such as the definition of a circle, chords, tangents, and the relationships between different parts of a circle. Students learn how to apply these properties to solve various geometric problems involving circles.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 - Mathematics - Chapter 10 Circles
This section provides detailed solutions for Chapter 10 of the Class 10 NCERT Mathematics textbook. The exercise problems include working with chords, tangents, and angles related to circles. Solutions are presented step-by-step to help students understand and apply the geometric properties and theorems of circles effectively.
**NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10 – Circles is curated by GeeksforGeeks experts to get help in solving all the problems related to this topic. With the help of this resource, students would not waste their precious time stuck in a single problem.
**Chapter 10 Circles of the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths covers major tangents of circles. Brief introductions to the circle, tangents to circles, and the number of tangents that can be drawn from a given point on a circle are covered in this topic.
| Class 10 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 10 Exercises |
|---|
| **NCERT Maths Solutions Class 10 Exercise 10.1 – 4 Questions (2 Short Answers, 2 Long Answers) |
| **NCERT Maths Solutions Class 10 Exercise 10.2 – 16 Questions (2 Short Answers, 14 Long Answers) |
Circles: Exercise 10.1
**Question 1. How many tangents can a circle have?
**Solution:
A circle can have **an infinite number of **tangents because it has a infinite number of points on its circumference and each point can have its individual tangent.
**Question 2. Fill in the blanks:
****(i) A tangent to a circle intersects it in _______ point (s).**
****(ii) A line intersecting a circle in two points is called a __________.**
****(iii) A circle can have __________ parallel tangents at the most.**
****(iv) The common point of a tangent to a circle and the circle is called ____.**
**Solution:
****(i)** one
****(ii)** secant
****(iii)** two
****(iv)** Point of contact
**Question 3. A tangent PQ at a point P of a circle of radius 5 cm meets a line through the centre O at a point Q so that OQ = 12 cm. Length PQ is:
(A) 12 cm (B) 13 cm (C) 8.5 cm (D) √119 cm
**Solution:
As we know that the line drawn from the centre of the circle to the tangent is perpendicular to the tangent at the point of contact.
Here OP is perpendicular to PQ.
**Hence, the triangle OPQ is a Right angled Triangle, and we can apply Pythagoras Theorem in it.
PQ = √(__OQ_2−__OP_2)
PQ = √(122 - 52)cm
PQ = √119 cm
**Hence, Option D is the correct answer.
**Question 4. Draw a circle and two lines parallel to a given line such that one is a tangent and the other, a secant to the circle.
**Solution:
Here AB is the tangent to the circle at point C and XY is the secant to the circle. Also, both lines are parallel.
Circles: Exercise 10.2
**Theorem 10.1(NCERT) : The tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact.
**Theorem 10.2 (NCERT) : The lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.
**In Q.1 to Q.3, choose the correct option, and give justification.
Question 1. From a point Q, the length of the tangent to a circle is 24 cm and the distance of Q from the centre is 25 cm. The radius of the circle is
****(A) 7 cm**
****(B) 12 cm**
****(C) 15 cm**
****(D) 24.5 cm**
**Solution:
According to **theorem 10.1, OP⊥ PQ then ∆OPQ is a right-angled triangle
**OQ 2 = PQ 2 + OP 2 (Pythagoras Theorem)
252 = 242 + OP2
OP2 = 252 - 242
OP2 = (25+24) (25-24) (using identity **a 2 - b 2 = (a+b)(a-b))
OP = √49
**OP = 7 cm
**Hence, option A is correct.
Question 2. In Fig. 10.11, if TP and TQ are the two tangents to a circle with centre O so that ∠ POQ = 110°, then ∠ PTQ is equal to
****(A) 60°**
****(B) 70°**
****(C) 80°**
****(D) 90°**

**Solution:
In the quadrilateral OPTQ,
∠P = 90°, ∠Q = 90° (Theorem 10.1)
∠O = 110°
The sum of the angles of a quadrilateral is 360° (**Angle sum property of quadrilateral), Hence
∠P + ∠Q + ∠T + ∠O = 360°
90° + 90° + ∠T + 110° = 360°
∠T = 180 - 110° = **70°
**Hence, option B is correct.
Question 3. If tangents PA and PB from a point P to a circle with centre O are inclined to each other at angle of 80°, then ∠ POA is equal to
****(A) 50°**
****(B) 60°**
****(C) 70°**
****(D) 80°**
**Solution:
In the quadrilateral OAPB,
∠A = 90°, ∠B = 90° (Theorem 10.1)
∠P = 80°
The sum of the angles of a quadrilateral is 360° (**Angle sum property of quadrilateral), Hence
∠A + ∠B + ∠P + ∠O = 360°
90° + 90° + 80° + ∠O = 360°
∠O = 180° - 80° = 100° .......................(1)
Considering, ∆OAP and ∆OBP
OA = OB ..............(radius of circle)
AP = BP ...............(Theorem 10.2)
∠OAP = ∠OBP .......(Theorem 10.1)
∴ ∆OAP ≅ ∆OBP [**By SAS congruency]
So, ∠AOP = ∠BOP **[By C.P.C.T.]..............(2)
From (1) and (2), we conclude that,
∠AOP + ∠BOP = 100°
**∠AOP = 50°
**Hence, option A is correct.
Question 4. Prove that the tangents drawn at the ends of a diameter of a circle are parallel.
**Solution:
P and Q are point of contacts of Tangent lines l and m respectively.
O is the centre of circle.
OP⊥ l , OQ⊥ m and PQ is diameter (theorem 10.1)
∠PQm + ∠QPl = 90° + 90° = **180°
**As, sum of adjacent angles is supplementary (180°), hence opposite sides are parallel.
Question 5. Prove that the perpendicular at the point of contact to the tangent to a circle passes through the centre.
**Solution:
P is the point of contact of tangent line l.
Let, OP⊥ l at Point of contact P and it passes through point O.
As, **The tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact. (theorem 10.1)
According to the theorem 10.1 line OP has to pass through centre of circle for sure.
Question 6. The length of a tangent from a point A at distance 5 cm from the centre of the circle is 4 cm. Find the radius of the circle.
**Solution:
According to theorem 10.1, OB⊥ AB then ∆OAB is a right-angled triangle
**OA 2 **= AB 2 + OB 2 (Pythagoras Theorem)
52 = 42 + OB2
OB2 = 52 - 42
OB2 = (5+4) (5-4) (using identity a2 - b2 = (a+b)(a-b))
OB = √9
OB = 3 cm
Hence, **Radius of circle = 3 cm
Question 7. Two concentric circles are of radii 5 cm and 3 cm. Find the length of the chord of the larger circle which touches the smaller circle.
**Solution:
Considering, ∆OAD and ∆OBD
OA = OB ..............(radius of large circle)
OD = OD ...............(common side)
∠ADO = ∠BDO .......(each 90°).......(Theorem 10.1)
∴ ∆OAD ≅ ∆OBD [**By SAS congruency]
So, **AD = BD [By C.P.C.T.]................(1)
Taking ∆OAD, which 90° at ∠D
OA = OB = 5 cm (radius of large circle)
OD = 3 cm (radius of smaller circle)
**OA 2 = AD 2 + OD 2 (Pythagoras Theorem)
52 = AD2 + 32
AD2 = 52 - 32
AD2 = (5+3) (5-3)
AD = √16
AD = 4 cm
AB = 2 × AD (from 1)
AB = 2 × 4
**AB = 8 cm
**Hence, length of the chord of the larger circle which touches the smaller circle = 8 cm
Question 8. A quadrilateral ABCD is drawn to circumscribe a circle (see Fig. 10.12). Prove that AB + CD = AD + BC.

**Solution:
Let the P, Q, R and S be point of contacts for tangent AB, BC, CD and DA respectively .
AP = AS (theorem 10.2)........(1)
BP = BQ (theorem 10.2)........(2)
CR = CQ (theorem 10.2)........(3)
DR = DS (theorem 10.2)........(4)
By, adding (1), (2), (3) and (4) RHS = LHS, we get
AP + BP + CR + DR = AS + BQ + CQ + DS
(AP + BP) + (CR + DR) = (AS + DS) + (BQ + CQ) (by Rearranging)
**AB + CD = AD + BC
**Hence, proved !!
Question 9. In Fig. 10.13, XY and X′Y′ are two parallel tangents to a circle with centre O and another tangent AB with point of contact C intersecting XY at A and X′Y′ at B. Prove that ∠ AOB = 90°.

**Solution:
As we can observe here,
AP and AC are tangent at same external point A.
and, QB and BC are tangent at same external point B.
Taking, ∆OAP and ∆OAC in consideration
OP = OC ..............(radius of circle)
OA = OA ...............(common side)
∠OPA = ∠OCA .......(each 90°).......(Theorem 10.1)
∴ ∆OAP ≅ ∆OAC [**By SAS congruency]
So, ∠POA = ∠COA [****By C.P.C.T.**]
we can conclude that, ∠COP = 2 ∠COA....................(1)
Similarly, ∠COQ = 2 ∠COB .............(2)
Adding (1) and (2), RHS = LHS we get,
2 ∠COA + 2 ∠COB = ∠COQ + ∠COP
2 (∠COA + ∠COB) = 180° (**Angle made by a straight line = 180°)
2 (∠AOB) = 180°
**∠AOB = 90°.
**Hence, proved !!
Question 10. Prove that the angle between the two tangents drawn from an external point to a circle is supplementary to the angle subtended by the line segment joining the points of contact at the Centre.
**Solution:
In the quadrilateral OPTQ,
∠P = 90°, ∠Q = 90° (Theorem 10.1)
The sum of the angles of a quadrilateral is 360° (**Angle sum property of quadrilateral), Hence
∠P + ∠Q + ∠T + ∠O = 360°
90° + 90° + ∠T + ∠O = 360°
**∠T + ∠O = 180°
**Hence, Proved, the angle between the two tangents drawn from an external point to a circle is supplementary to the angle subtended by the line segment joining the points of contact at the Centre.
Question 11. Prove that the parallelogram circumscribing a circle is a rhombus.
**Solution:
ABCD is a parallelogram and let P, Q, R and S be the point of contact of circle and parallelogram.
AP = AS (theorem 10.2)........(1)
BP = BQ (theorem 10.2)........(2)
CR = CQ (theorem 10.2)........(3)
DR = DS (theorem 10.2)........(4)
By, adding (1), (2), (3) and (4) RHS = LHS, we get
AP + BP + CR + DR = AS + BQ + CQ + DS
(AP + BP) + (CR + DR) = (AS + DS) + (BQ + CQ) (by Rearranging)
AB + CD = AD + BC
As ABCD is a parallelogram, AB = CD and AD = BC (**Opposite sides of parallelogram are equal)
Hence, 2 AB = 2 BC
AB = BC
If adjacent side of parallelogram are equal, then it is a rhombus.
**Hence, ABCD is a rhombus!!
Question 12. A triangle ABC is drawn to circumscribe a circle of radius 4 cm such that the segments BD and DC into which BC is divided by the point of contact D are of lengths 8 cm and 6 cm respectively (see Fig. 10.14). Find the sides AB and AC.

**Solution:
ABC is a Triangle and let M, D and N be the point of contact of circle and Triangle.
BD = BM = 8 cm (theorem 10.2)........(1)
CN = CD = 6 cm (theorem 10.2)........(2)
AN = AM = p cm (theorem 10.2)........(3)
AB = p+8 cm
BC = 6+8 = 14 cm
AC = p+6 cm
As we can observe here that,
**Area of ∆ABC = Area of ∆AOC + Area of ∆COB + Area of ∆BOA
So, Area of ∆ABC = ar(∆ABC)
**√(s (s-AB) (s-AC) (s-BC)) ............(Heron's formula) where s = (sum of sides) / 2
s = (AB+BC+AC)/2
s = (p+8+14+p+6)/2
s = (2p+28)/2
s = p+14
ar(∆ABC) = √((p+14) (p+14-(p+8)) (p+14-(p+6)) (p+14-14)**)
= √((p+14) (6) (8) (p)**)**
= √48p (p+14) cm2...................................................(1)
**Area of ∆AOC + Area of ∆COB + Area of ∆BOA = (½ × ON × AC) + (½ × OD × BC) + (½ × OM × AB)
= (½ × 4 × (p+6)) + (½ × 4 × 14) + (½ × 4 × (p+8))
= ½ × 4 (p+6+14+p+8)
= ½ × 4 × (2p+28)
= 4 × (p+14) cm2 ......................................................(2)
(1) = (2)
√48p (p+14) = 4 × (p+14)
Squaring both sides, we get
48 × p × (p+14) = (4 × (p+14))2
48 × p (
p+14) = 16 × (p+14)2(cancelling (p+14) from both sides)48 × p = 16 (p+14)
48p = 16p+ 224
32 × p = 224
**p = 7 cm
**Hence, AB = p+8 = 7+8 = **15 cm
**AC = p+6 = 7+6 = **13 cm
Question 13. Prove that opposite sides of a quadrilateral circumscribing a circle subtends supplementary angles at the Centre of the circle.
**Solution:
In the quadrilateral OPBQ,
∠OPB = 90° , ∠OQB = 90° (Theorem 10.1)
Considering, ∆OPB and ∆OQB
OP = OQ ..............(radius of circle)
OB = OB ...............(Common)
∠OPB = ∠OQB .......(each 90°)........(Theorem 10.1)
∴ ∆OPB ≅ ∆OQB [**By SAS congruency]
So, ∠POB = ∠QOB [****By C.P.C.T.**]
Hence, ∠1 = ∠2 .................(1)
Similarly, ∠3 = ∠4 .................(2)
∠5 = ∠6 .................(3)
∠7 = ∠8 .................(4)
By making complete revolution,
∠1 + ∠2 + ∠3 + ∠4 + ∠5 + ∠6 + ∠7 + ∠8 = 360° (**A complete revolution makes 360°)
∠1 + ∠1 + ∠4 + ∠4 + ∠5 + ∠5 + ∠8 + ∠8 = 360°
2 (∠1 + ∠4 + ∠5 + ∠8) = 360°
2 ((∠1 + ∠8) + (∠4 + ∠5) ) = 360°
∠AOB + ∠COD = 360° / 2 = 180°
Hence, proved, **that opposite sides of a quadrilateral circumscribing a circle subtend supplementary angles at the Centre of the circle.
Summary
Chapter 10 of the Class 10 NCERT Mathematics textbook, "Circles," explores the fundamental properties and theorems related to circles. Key topics include the definition of a circle, chords, tangents, and the relationships between angles and arcs. The chapter teaches how to apply geometric properties to solve problems involving circles, such as finding angles and lengths. Solutions for exercises in this chapter help students practice these concepts and understand their applications in various geometric scenarios.









