6.3 Investigation 2: Tangents Segments
6.3 Investigation 2: Tangent Segments
Investigation 1
Step 1: Construct a large circle. Label the center . (Completed for you)
Step 2: Mark a point outside the circle and label it .
Step 3: Construct two tangent lines to circle through point by clicking the tangent line tool, then point , and then circle . Mark the points of tangency as and .
Step 4: Use the segment tool to create segments and . You should have the lengths of the segments. (Note, segments and are called tangent segments.)
Step 5: What do you notice about the lengths of the tangent segments?
Step 6: Will this always be true? Move point around. Statement your observations as your next conjecture.
Tangent Segments Conjecture
Tangent segments to a circle from a point outside the circle are _________________________.