2.19.2

Tangent on a Circle

Test yourself on Tangent on a Circle

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Tangent of a Circle

A circle with centre (0,0) and radius r has the equation x2 + y2 = r2. Find the tangent to the circle x2 + y2 = 25 at the point (-3,4):

Step 1

Step 1

  • First calculate the gradient of the line from the origin to (-3,4):
    • Gradient of purple line is m = 4-3
Step 2

Step 2

  • The tangent will be perpendicular to the purple line so the gradient of the tangent is -1m:
    • gradient of tangent = -1m = 34
Step 3

Step 3

  • Substitute in (-3,4) to y = 34x + c:
    • 4 = -94 + c
    • c = 254
    • So the equation of tangent is y = 34x + 254.

Translations & Reflections

Translations are when we move a graph without changing its shape. A reflection is when you reflect the shape in a given line.

Vertical translation

Vertical translation

  • Moves a function up or down.
  • You can add and subtract from f(x) in the form y = f(x) to produce a vertical translation:
    • y = f(x) + a moves the graph up by a
    • y = f(x) - a moves the graph down by a
Horizontal translation

Horizontal translation

  • Moves a function left or right.
  • You can add and subtract from x in the form y = f(x) to produce a horizontal translation:
    • y = f(x + a) moves the graph left by a
    • y = f(x - a) moves the graph right by a
Reflection in the x axis

Reflection in the x axis

  • For a function y = f(x):
    • y = -f(x) gives a reflection in the x axis
Reflection in the y axis

Reflection in the y axis

  • For a function y = f(x):
    • y = f(-x) gives a reflection in the y axis
Invariant points

Invariant points

  • Invariant points are points that don’t change in a transformation (e.g reflection).
  • (0, 1.5) is the invariant point shown in the above reflection.
Jump to other topics
1

Number

1.1

Place Value & Ordering

1.2

Numerical Operations

1.3

Structure of Calculations

1.4

Fractions

1.5

Numerical Operations on Fractions

1.6

Roots & Powers

1.7

Numerical Skills

1.8

Factors & Multiples

1.9

Surds

1.10

Standard Form

1.11

Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

1.12

Percentage Change

1.13

Rounding & Estimation

1.14

Bounds & Accuracy

1.15

Using Numbers

1.16

Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

1.17

Powers & Roots

1.18

Accuracy

2

Algebra

2.1

Algebraic Notation

2.2

Substitution & Simplification

2.3

Brackets

2.4

Algebraic Fractions

2.5

Rearranging

2.6

Functions

2.7

Solving Linear Equations

2.8

Inequalities

2.9

Solving Quadratic Equations

2.10

Simultaneous Equations

2.11

Iteration

2.12

Sequences

2.13

Linear Graphs

2.14

Introduction to Algebra

2.15

Manipulating Algebra

2.16

Proofs & Functions

2.17

Straight Line Graphs

2.18

Common Graphs

2.19

Transformations & Tangents

2.20

Properties of Graphs

2.21

Solving Equations

2.22

Inequalities

2.23

Sequences

3

Ratio

3.1

Unit Conversions

3.2

Compound Units

3.3

Ratio Fundamentals

3.4

Advanced Ratio and Scale

3.5

Proportion

3.6

Algebraic Proportion

3.7

Ratios in Practice

3.8

Manipulating Ratios

3.9

Percentage & Interest

3.10

Proportion

3.11

Gradient

4

Geometry

4.1

Area & Perimeter

4.2

Angles

4.3

Trigonometry

4.4

Similarity & Congruence

4.5

Circle Geometry

4.6

Circle Theorems

4.7

Pythagoras

4.8

Surface Area

4.9

Volume

4.10

Vectors

4.11

Introduction to Geometry

4.12

Triangles & Quadrilaterals

4.13

Transformations

4.14

Circle Basics

4.15

Circle Theorems

4.16

Measurements & Units

4.17

Calculating Area

4.18

Triangle Formulae

4.19

3D Shapes

4.20

Vectors

5

Probability

6

Statistics

Practice questions on Tangent on a Circle

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
Answer all questions on Tangent on a Circle

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium