NCERT Solutions
Class 10 Maths
Constructions

Ex.11.2 Q.5
Draw a line segment AB of length 8 cm.
Taking A as centre, draw a circle of radius 4 cm and taking B as centre, draw another circle of radius 3 cm.
Construct tangents to each circle from the centre of the other circle. Give the justification of the construction.
The tangents can be constructed on the given circles as follows:
Step 1. Draw a line segment AB of 8 cm. Taking A and B as centre, draw two circles of 4 cm and 3 cm radius.
Step 2. Bisect the line AB. Let the mid-point of AB be C. Taking C as centre, draw a circle of AC radius which will intersect the circles at points P, Q, R, and S. Join BP, BQ, AS, and AR.
These are the required tangents.
Justification:
The construction can be justified by proving that AS and AR are the tangents of the circle
(whose centre is B and radius is 3 cm) and BP and BQ are the tangents of the circle
(whose centre is A and radius is 4 cm). For this, join AP, AQ, BS, and BR.
∠ASB is an angle in the semi-circle. We know that an angle in a semi-circle is a right angle.
So, ∠ASB = 900
=> BS ⊥ AS
Since BS is the radius of the circle, AS has to be a tangent of the circle.
Similarly, AR, BP, and BQ are the tangents.