Chords are segments whose endpoints lie on the circle. Chords lie completely within a circle. Secants are lines that intersect a circle at two points. Tangents are lines that intersect a circle at one point. In this topic, you will explore the patterns of chords that intersect within a circle, secants that pass through circles, and tangents that intersect a circle. You will learn how to determine the segment length formed by intersecting chords. You will also explore the relationship between circles and segments that lie outside the circle, in particular tangents and secants.

Essential Questions

• How do you calculate the length of segments formed by two intersecting chords?
• How do you solve for the length of a segment formed by two secants, two tangents, or one secant and one tangent?

 

Warm-Up

Before you begin your study segment lengths, check your knowledge of chords, secants, and tangents. Hover your cursor over the image that represents the correct term. Can you get all three correct?

 

Chord

Secant

Tangent