If angle between two radii of a circle is 130º, then the angle between the

tangents at the ends of the radii is: 

(A) 90º

(B) 50º

(C) 70º

(D) 40º

Answer: (B)
Explanation: If the angle between two radii of a circle is 130º, then the
angle between tangents is 180º − 130º = 50º. (By the properties of circles
and tangents)
2. The length of tangent from an external point P on a circle with centre O is
(A) always greater than OP

(B) equal to OP

(C) always less than OP

(D) information insufficient

Answer:  (C)
Explanation: Observe figure

The angle between tangent and radius is 90º. This implies OP is the
hypotenuse for the right triangle OQP right angled at Q and hypotenuse is
the longest side in aright triangle, therefore the length of tangent from an
external point P on a circle with centre O is always less than OP.     
# CBSE Class 10 Maths Important Questions &Answers for Board
Exam 2021
# CBSE Class 10th Maths Chapter-wise Important Formulas,
Theorems & Properties
3. If angle between two tangents drawn from a point P to a circle of radius
‘a’and centre ‘O’ is 90°, then OP =
(A) 2a√2
(B) a√2

(C) a/√2

(D) 5a√2

Answer:  (B)
Explanation: From point P, two tangents are drawn

OT = a (given)

Also line OP bisects the RPT

Therefore,

 TPO =  RPO = 45º

Also

OT is perpendicular to PT

In right triangle OTP

sin 45° = OT/OP

⇒ 1/√2 = a/OP

⇒ OP = a√2

4. The length of tangent from an external point on a circle is

(A) always greater than the radius of the circle.

(B) always less than the radius of the circle.

(C) may or may not be greater than the radius of circle

(D) None of these.

Answer:  (C)
Explanation: Observe the figure,
In figure OQ is the radius and QP is the tangent.

For right triangle OQP, radius and tangents are two smaller sides, smaller
than hypotenuse OP.

Also the length of tangent depends upon the distance of external point from
circle. Thus,

The length of tangent from an external point on a circle may or may not be
greater than the radius of circle.

5. In the following figure, AT is a tangent to the circle with centre O such
that OT = 4 cm and ∠OTA = 30°. Then AT is equal to

(A) 4 cm

(B) 2 cm

(C) 2√3 cm

(D) 4√3 cm

Answer: (C)
Explanation: Join OA

We know that the tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the

radius through the point of contact.

Therefore,

∠OAT = 90°

In triangle OAT

cos30° = AT/OT
√3/2 = AT/4

AT = 2√3 cm

6. At one end A of a diameter AB of a circle of radius 5 cm, tangent XAY is

drawn to the circle. The length of the chord CD parallel to XY and at a
distance 8 cm from A is
(A) 4 cm

(B) 5 cm

(C) 6 cm

(D) 8 cm

Answer:  (D)
Explanation: Observe the figure,

Since OC = OA= radius =5cm

Therefore

OE = AE – AO

OE = 8 – 5

OE = 3 cm

In right triangle OEC

OC2 = OE2 + CE2

⇒ 52 = 32 + CE2
⇒ CE2 = 25 – 9
⇒ CE2 = 16
⇒ CE = 4

Therefore length of chord CD = 2×4 = 8cm

# CBSE Class 10 Maths Solved Previous Year Question Papers

7. In the following figure, if O is the centre of a circle, PQ is a chord and the
tangent PR at P makes an angle of 50° with PQ, then ∠POQ is equal to
(A) 100°

(B) 80°

(C) 90°

(D) 75°

Answer:  (A)
Explanation: From figure using properties of circle and tangents
∠OPQ = 90° – 50°

∠OPQ = 40°

OP = OQ = radius

So (∠E) = ∠OQP = 40°

Now In ∆POQ

∠POQ = 180° - (∠OPQ + ∠OQP)

∠POQ = 180° - (40° + 40°)

∠POQ = 100°

8. In the following figure, PA and PB are tangents from a point P to a circle
with centre O. Then the quadrilateral OAPB must be a

(A) Square

(B) Rhombus

(C) Cyclic quadrilateral

(D) Parallelogram
Answer:  (C)
Explanation: Since tangent and radius intersect at right angle,
So,

∠OAP = ∠OBP = 90°

⇒ ∠OAP + ∠OBP = 90° + 90° = 180°

Which are opposite angles of quadrilateral OAPB

So the sum of remaining two angles is also 180°

Therefore Quad OAPB is cyclic Quadrilateral.

9. If d1, d2 (d2 > d1) be the diameters of two concentric circles and c be the
length of a chord of a circle which is tangent to the other circle, then
(A) d22 = c2 + d12
(B) d22 = c2 - d12
(C) d12 = c2 + d22
(D) d12 = c2 - d22
Answer:  (A)
Explanation:

Let AB be a chord of a circle which touches the other circle at C. Then ΔOCB
is right triangle.

By Pythagoras theorem

10. If a chord AB subtends an angle of 60° at the centre of a circle, then

angle between the tangents at A and B is:
(A) 60°

(B) 120°

(C) 80°
(D) 100°

Answer:  (A)
Explanation: Observe the figure

Using properties of circles and tangents, angle between tangents is:

= 180° - 60°

= 120°

11. If two tangents inclined at an angle 60° are drawn to a circle of radius 3
cm, then length of each tangent is equal to
(A) 2√3 cm

(B) 6√3 cm

(C) 3√3 cm

(D) 3 cm

Answer:  (C)
Explanation: Let P be an external point from which pair of tangents are
drawn as shown in the figure given below:

Join OA and OP

Also OP is a bisector line of ∠APC

∠APO = ∠CPO = 30°

OA ⊥ AP

 Therefore, in triangle OAP

tan30° = OA/AP
1/√3 = 3/AP

AP = 3√3cm

12. In the following figure, if PQR is the tangent to a circle at Q whose

centre is O, AB is a chord parallel to PR and ∠BQR = 70°, then ∠AQB is equal
to

(A) 20°

(B) 40°

(C) 35°

(D) 45°

Answer:  (B)
Explanation: In the given figure

13. In the adjoining figure, Δ ABC is circumscribing a circle. Then, the length
of BC is

(A) 7 cm

(B) 8 cm                               

(C) 9 cm

(D) 10 cm

Answer:  (D)
Explanation: Since lengths of tangents from same external point are equal.
Therefore,

BZ=BL=4cm

Also

AZ=AM=3cm

This gives

MC= 9 – 3 = 6 cm

Similarly LC = MC = 6cm

So length of BC = BL + LC = 4cm + 6cm = 10cm    

14. In the following figure, AB is a chord of the circle and AOC is its
diameter such that ACB = 50°. If AT is the tangent to the circle at the point
A, then BAT is equal to

(A) 65°

(B) 60°

(C) 50°

(D) 40°

Answer:  (C)
Explanation: Here
∠ABC = 90 (Angle in Semicircle)

In ∆ACB

∠A + ∠B + ∠C = 180°

∠A = 180° – (90° + 50°)

∠A = 40°
Or ∠OAB = 40°

Therefore, ∠BAT = 90° – 40° = 50°

15. In the following figure, tangents PQ and PR are drawn to a circle such
that ∠RPQ = 30°. A chord RS is drawn parallel to the tangent PQ, then
∠RQS.

(A) 30°

(B) 60°

(C) 90°

(D) 120°

Answer:  (A)
Explanation: Since PQ = PR
(Lengths of tangents from same external point are equal)

Therefore,

1. The distance between two parallel tangents of acircle of radius 4 cm is

(a) 2 cm
(b) 4 cm
(c) 6 cm
(d) 8 cm

Answer/ Explanation
Answer: d
Explaination:

Reason: Here radius, r = 4 cm

Required distance,
AB = OA + OB
= r + r = 2r = 2×4 = 8 cm
2. In the given figure, if ZRPS = 25°, the value of ZROS is

(a) 135°
(b) 145°
(c) 165°
(d) 155°

Answer/ Explanation
 

Circles Class 10 MCQ With Answer: dExplaination: Reason: Since OR ⊥ PR

and OS ⊥ PS
∴ ∠ORP = ∠OSP = 90°
In □ ORPS, ∠ROS + ∠ORP + ∠RPS + ∠OSP = 360°
∠ROS + 90° + 25° + 90° = 360°
∠ROS = 360° – 205° = 155°

3. A tangent is drawn from a point at a distance of 17 cm of circle C(0, r) of

radius 8 cm. The length of its tangent is
(a) 5 cm
(b) 9 cm
(c) 15 cm
(d) 23 cm

Answer/ Explanation
Answer: c
Explaination:
Reason: In rt ∆OAP, AP² + OA² = OP²
⇒ AP² + (8)² = (17)² => AP² + 64 = 289
⇒ AP² = 289 – 64 = 225
∴ AP = √225 = 15 cm

4. The length of tangents drawn from an external point to the circle

(a) are equal
(b) are not equal
(c) sometimes are equal
(d) are not defined

Answer/ Explanation
Answer: a
Explaination: Reason: Since the length of tangents drawn from an external
point to a circle are equal.

5. Number of tangents drawn at a point of the , circle is/are

(a) one
(b) two
(c) none
(d) infinite

Answer/ Explanation
Answer: a
Explaination: Reason: There is only one tangent at a point of the circle.
6. The tangents drawn at the extremities of the diameter of a circle are
(a) perpendicular
(b) parallel
(c) equal
(d) none of these

Answer/ Explanation
Answer: b
Explaination:

Reason: Since OP ⊥ AB and OQ ⊥ CD

∴ Z1 = 90° and Z2 = 90°
⇒ ∠1 = Z2, which are alternate angles.
∴ AB || CD

7. Tangents from an external point to a circle are

(a) equal
(b) not equal
(c) parallel
(d) perpendicular

Answer/ Explanation
 

MCQs of Maths for Class 10 With Answer: aExplaination: Reason: Tangents

from external points to a circle are equal.
8. The length of a tangent drawn from a point at a distance of 10 cm of circle
is 8 cm. The radius of the circle is
(a) 4 cm
(b) 5 cm
(c) 6 cm
(d) 7 cm

Answer/ Explanation
Answer: c
Explaination:

Reason: In rt. AOAP, we have

OA² + AP² = OP²
⇒ OA² + (8)² = (10)2
⇒ OA² + 64 = 100
⇒ OA² = 100 – 64 = 36
∴ OA = √36 = 6 cm

MCQ Questions on Circles for Class 10 Question 9. In given figure, CP and

CQ are tangents to a circle with centre O. ARB is another tangent touching
the circle at R. If CP = 11 cm and BC = 6 cm then the length of BR is

(a) 6 cm
(b) 5 cm
(c) 4 cm
(d) 3 cm
Answer/ Explanation
Answer: b
Explaination: Reason: Since
BQ = BR …(i) [∵ Tangents drawn from external points are equal]
CQ = CP …[Using (i)]
BC + BQ = 11
⇒ 6 + BR = 11
⇒ BR = 11 – 6 = 5 cm

10. From a point P which is at a distance of 13 cm from the centre O of a

circle of radius 5 cm, the pair of tangents PQ and PR to the circle are drawn.
Then the area of the quadrilateral PQOR is
(a) 60 cm²
(b) 65 cm²
(c) 30 cm²
(d) 32.5 cm²

Answer/ Explanation
Answer: a
Explaination:

Reason: OP² = OQ² + PQ²

169 = 25 + PQ²
PQ² = 144
PQ = 12
Area PQOR = ar (AOPQ) + ar (AOPR)
= 12 × 12 × 5 + 12 × 12 × 5 = 60 cm²