OML Search

Construct Tangent to a Circle


Videos and lessons to help High School students learn how to construct a tangent line from a point outside a given circle to the circle.



Common Core: HSG-C.A.4


Construction - Tangent to a Circle From a Point Outside the Circle
How to draw the tangent lines to a circle when given a specific point outside the circle.


Tangent through a point not on a circle
How to use a compass to construct a line tangent to a circle and through a point NOT on the circle.





Tangents to a Circle
Tangents from a point outside a circle are congruent. Use the slider or drag the orange point to change the figure.


Construction of Tangents to a circle
This applet shows how to construct tangents to a circle from a point outside the circle.
Drag the Step Slider to see each step
Drag point B to change the radius of the circle and explore what happens
- when the point A is inside the circle?
- when the point A coincides with point M?


Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.
Mathway Calculator Widget


OML Search


We welcome your feedback, comments and questions about this site or page. Please submit your feedback or enquiries via our Feedback page.