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CirclesCBSE Class 10 Maths Important Questions

13 hand-picked CBSE Class 10 Maths important questions for Circles, each with a full model answer — the formats and topics most likely to appear in your board exam.

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CirclesCBSE Class 10 Maths Important Questions

Tangents That Just Click

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Quick answer

A tangent touches a circle at exactly one point and is perpendicular to the radius at that point. From an external point, exactly two tangents can be drawn and they are equal in length. These facts, plus the equal-tangent property for polygons circumscribing a circle, solve almost every board question.

About Circles

The rationalised NCERT chapter focuses on tangents to a circle (constructions have been removed). CBSE papers test the two core theorems, the equal-tangent property, and applications to triangles and quadrilaterals that circumscribe a circle, often as MCQs, an assertion-reason item, short proofs, and a case study. The figures below show the standard set-ups: radius perpendicular to tangent, and two tangents from an external point.

Tangent to a circle and point of contactNumber of tangents from a point (inside / on / outside)Tangent perpendicular to radius; length of tangent from an external pointEqual tangents and figures circumscribing a circle

Key concepts & formulas

Radius perpendicular to tangent

The tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius drawn to the point of contact. So if OPOPOP is a radius and PTPTPT is the tangent at PPP, then OPT=90\angle OPT=90^\circOPT=90^, and OP2+PT2=OT2OP^2+PT^2=OT^2OP^2+PT^2=OT^2 for any external point TTT.

Two equal tangents from an external point

From a point outside a circle exactly two tangents can be drawn, and their lengths are equal: if PAPAPA and PBPBPB are tangents from PPP, then PA=PBPA=PBPA=PB. Also OPOPOP bisects APB\angle APBAPB and AOB\angle AOBAOB.

Number of tangents

From a point inside the circle: 000 tangents. From a point on the circle: exactly 111 tangent. From a point outside the circle: exactly 222 tangents.

Circumscribing figures

For a quadrilateral ABCDABCDABCD circumscribing a circle, AB+CD=AD+BCAB+CD=AD+BCAB+CD=AD+BC (sums of opposite sides are equal). Consequently a parallelogram circumscribing a circle is a rhombus. For a triangle, equal tangent segments from each vertex give the classic incircle relations.

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Important questions with answers

Try each on paper first, then reveal the model answer to check your method.

Question typeCountMarks
MCQ41
Assertion–Reason11
Very Short22
Short Answer33
Long Answer25
Case-based14

Multiple-choice questions (1 mark)

Q1MCQEasy1 mark

The number of tangents that can be drawn to a circle from a point lying inside the circle is:

  1. (a)

    000

  2. (b)

    111

  3. (c)

    222

  4. (d)

    infinitely many

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Answer: (a) 000

Every line through an interior point is a secant (it cuts the circle in two points), so no tangent can be drawn from a point inside a circle.

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Q2MCQEasy1 mark

The tangent at any point of a circle is:

  1. (a)

    perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact

  2. (b)

    parallel to the radius through the point of contact

  3. (c)

    equal in length to the radius

  4. (d)

    a chord of the circle

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Answer: (a) perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact.

This is the fundamental tangent theorem: the radius drawn to the point of contact is perpendicular to the tangent there.

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Q3MCQEasy1 mark

In the figure, OOO is the centre of a circle of radius 5 cm, PQPQPQ is a tangent at PPP, and OQ=13OQ=13OQ=13 cm. The length of the tangent PQPQPQ is:

CBSE Class 10 Maths — Circles: In the figure, O is the centre of a circle of radius 5 cm, PQ is a tangent at P, and OQ=13 cm. The length of the tangent PQ is:
  1. (a)

    121212 cm

  2. (b)

    888 cm

  3. (c)

    194\sqrt{194}√194 cm

  4. (d)

    181818 cm

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Answer: (a) 121212 cm

The radius OPPQOP\perp PQOP PQ, so triangle OPQOPQOPQ is right-angled at PPP. Hence PQ=OQ2OP2=13252=16925=144=12PQ=\sqrt{OQ^2-OP^2}=\sqrt{13^2-5^2}=\sqrt{169-25}=\sqrt{144}=12PQ=√OQ^2-OP^2=√13^2-5^2=√169-25=√144=12 cm.

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Q4MCQModerate1 mark

Two concentric circles have radii 5 cm and 3 cm. The length of the chord of the larger circle which touches the smaller circle is:

  1. (a)

    888 cm

  2. (b)

    444 cm

  3. (c)

    666 cm

  4. (d)

    101010 cm

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Answer: (a) 888 cm

The chord touches the inner circle, so the perpendicular from the centre (length =3=3=3 cm, the inner radius) bisects the chord. Half the chord =5232=16=4=\sqrt{5^2-3^2}=\sqrt{16}=4=√5^2-3^2=√16=4 cm, so the chord =2×4=8=2\times4=8=2×4=8 cm.

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Assertion–Reason questions (1 mark)

Q5Assertion–ReasonModerate1 mark

Assertion (A): The lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.

Reason (R): The tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact.

  1. (a)

    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

  2. (b)

    Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

  3. (c)

    A is true but R is false

  4. (d)

    A is false but R is true

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Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Both statements are true theorems. The equal-tangent result (A) is proved using the perpendicularity (R) together with the common hypotenuse OPOPOP and equal radii; however R by itself is a separate property and is not, on its own, the complete reason A holds. So R does not fully explain A.

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Very short answer questions (2 marks)

Q6Very ShortEasy2 marks

In the figure, PAPAPA and PBPBPB are two tangents drawn from an external point PPP to a circle with centre OOO. If APB=60\angle APB=60^\circAPB=60^, find AOB\angle AOBAOB.

CBSE Class 10 Maths — Circles: In the figure, PA and PB are two tangents drawn from an external point P to a circle with centre O. If \angle APB=60^\circ, find \angle AOB.
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In quadrilateral OAPBOAPBOAPB, the radii meet the tangents at right angles, so OAP=OBP=90\angle OAP=\angle OBP=90^\circOAP= OBP=90^.

The angle sum of a quadrilateral is 360360^\circ360^:

AOB+APB+OAP+OBP=360\angle AOB+\angle APB+\angle OAP+\angle OBP=360^\circAOB+ APB+ OAP+ OBP=360^

AOB+60+90+90=360AOB=120\angle AOB+60^\circ+90^\circ+90^\circ=360^\circ\Rightarrow \angle AOB=120^\circAOB+60^+90^+90^=360^ AOB=120^.

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Q7Very ShortModerate2 marks

Two tangents are drawn to a circle of radius 3 cm from an external point PPP such that the angle between them is 6060^\circ60^. Find the length of each tangent.

CBSE Class 10 Maths — Circles: Two tangents are drawn to a circle of radius 3 cm from an external point P such that the angle between them is 60^\circ. Find the length of each tang
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Let the tangents touch at AAA and BBB. OPOPOP bisects APB\angle APBAPB, so APO=30\angle APO=30^\circAPO=30^, and OAPAOA\perp PAOA PA so triangle OAPOAPOAP is right-angled at AAA with OA=3OA=3OA=3 cm.

tan(APO)=OAPAtan30=3PA13=3PA\tan(\angle APO)=\dfrac{OA}{PA}\Rightarrow \tan30^\circ=\dfrac{3}{PA}\Rightarrow \dfrac{1}{\sqrt3}=\dfrac{3}{PA}( APO)=OA/PA 30^=3/PA 1/3=3/PA.

Therefore PA=33PA=3\sqrt3PA=33 cm. Each tangent is 335.193\sqrt3\approx5.19335.19 cm long.

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Short answer questions (3 marks)

Q8Short AnswerModerate3 marks

Prove that the lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.

CBSE Class 10 Maths — Circles: Prove that the lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.
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Given: A circle with centre OOO and an external point PPP; PAPAPA and PBPBPB are tangents touching the circle at AAA and BBB.

To prove: PA=PBPA=PBPA=PB.

Construction: Join OAOAOA, OBOBOB and OPOPOP.

Proof: Since a tangent is perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact, OAP=OBP=90\angle OAP=\angle OBP=90^\circOAP= OBP=90^.

In right triangles OAPOAPOAP and OBPOBPOBP:

  • OA=OBOA=OBOA=OB (radii of the same circle),
  • OP=OPOP=OPOP=OP (common hypotenuse),
  • OAP=OBP=90\angle OAP=\angle OBP=90^\circOAP= OBP=90^.

By the RHS congruence rule, OAPOBP\triangle OAP\cong\triangle OBPOAP OBP.

Therefore, by CPCT, PA=PBPA=PBPA=PB. Hence the tangents from an external point are equal in length.

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Q9Short AnswerModerate3 marks

A quadrilateral ABCDABCDABCD is drawn to circumscribe a circle. Prove that AB+CD=AD+BCAB+CD=AD+BCAB+CD=AD+BC.

CBSE Class 10 Maths — Circles: A quadrilateral ABCD is drawn to circumscribe a circle. Prove that AB+CD=AD+BC.
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Let the circle touch AB,BC,CD,DAAB,BC,CD,DAAB,BC,CD,DA at P,Q,R,SP,Q,R,SP,Q,R,S respectively.

Tangents drawn from an external point are equal, so:

  • From AAA: AP=ASAP=ASAP=AS
  • From BBB: BP=BQBP=BQBP=BQ
  • From CCC: CR=CQCR=CQCR=CQ
  • From DDD: DR=DSDR=DSDR=DS

Now AB+CD=(AP+PB)+(CR+RD)=(AS+BQ)+(CQ+DS)AB+CD=(AP+PB)+(CR+RD)=(AS+BQ)+(CQ+DS)AB+CD=(AP+PB)+(CR+RD)=(AS+BQ)+(CQ+DS).

Rearranging: =(AS+DS)+(BQ+CQ)=AD+BC=(AS+DS)+(BQ+CQ)=AD+BC=(AS+DS)+(BQ+CQ)=AD+BC.

Therefore AB+CD=AD+BCAB+CD=AD+BCAB+CD=AD+BC. Hence proved.

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Q10Short AnswerHOTS3 marks

Prove that the parallelogram circumscribing a circle is a rhombus.

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Let parallelogram ABCDABCDABCD circumscribe a circle, touching AB,BC,CD,DAAB,BC,CD,DAAB,BC,CD,DA at P,Q,R,SP,Q,R,SP,Q,R,S respectively.

Since tangents from an external point are equal: AP=ASAP=ASAP=AS, BP=BQBP=BQBP=BQ, CR=CQCR=CQCR=CQ, DR=DSDR=DSDR=DS.

Adding all four: AP+BP+CR+DR=AS+BQ+CQ+DSAP+BP+CR+DR=AS+BQ+CQ+DSAP+BP+CR+DR=AS+BQ+CQ+DS, i.e. (AP+PB)+(CR+RD)=(AS+SD)+(BQ+QC)(AP+PB)+(CR+RD)=(AS+SD)+(BQ+QC)(AP+PB)+(CR+RD)=(AS+SD)+(BQ+QC), giving

AB+CD=AD+BC.(1)AB+CD=AD+BC. \quad (1)AB+CD=AD+BC. (1)

But ABCDABCDABCD is a parallelogram, so opposite sides are equal: AB=CDAB=CDAB=CD and AD=BC.(2)AD=BC. \quad (2)AD=BC. (2)

Substituting (2) in (1): 2AB=2BCAB=BC2AB=2BC\Rightarrow AB=BC2AB=2BC AB=BC.

Thus two adjacent sides are equal, and since opposite sides are already equal, all four sides are equal: AB=BC=CD=DAAB=BC=CD=DAAB=BC=CD=DA.

A parallelogram with all sides equal is a rhombus. Hence proved.

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Long answer questions (5 marks)

Q11Long AnswerModerate5 marks

A triangle ABCABCABC is drawn to circumscribe a circle of radius 4 cm such that the segments BDBDBD and DCDCDC into which the side BCBCBC is divided by the point of contact DDD are of lengths 8 cm and 6 cm respectively. Find the sides ABABAB and ACACAC.

CBSE Class 10 Maths — Circles: A triangle ABC is drawn to circumscribe a circle of radius 4 cm such that the segments BD and DC into which the side BC is divided by the point of co
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Let the incircle touch BCBCBC at DDD, CACACA at EEE and ABABAB at FFF. Using equal tangents from each vertex:

  • BD=BF=8BD=BF=8BD=BF=8 cm
  • CD=CE=6CD=CE=6CD=CE=6 cm
  • AF=AE=xAF=AE=xAF=AE=x (say)

Then AB=AF+FB=x+8AB=AF+FB=x+8AB=AF+FB=x+8, AC=AE+EC=x+6AC=AE+EC=x+6AC=AE+EC=x+6, and BC=BD+DC=14BC=BD+DC=14BC=BD+DC=14 cm.

Semiperimeter s=(x+8)+(x+6)+142=x+14s=\dfrac{(x+8)+(x+6)+14}{2}=x+14s=(x+8)+(x+6)+14/2=x+14.

By Heron's formula, with sBC=xs-BC=xs-BC=x, sAC=8s-AC=8s-AC=8, sAB=6s-AB=6s-AB=6:

Area=s(sa)(sb)(sc)=(x+14)x68=48x(x+14)\text{Area}=\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}=\sqrt{(x+14)\cdot x\cdot 6\cdot 8}=\sqrt{48x(x+14)}Area=√s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)=√(x+14)· x· 6· 8=√48x(x+14).

Also, using the incircle radius r=4r=4r=4: Area=rs=4(x+14)\text{Area}=r\cdot s=4(x+14)Area=r· s=4(x+14).

Equating and squaring: 16(x+14)2=48x(x+14)16(x+14)=48xx+14=3xx=716(x+14)^2=48x(x+14)\Rightarrow 16(x+14)=48x\Rightarrow x+14=3x\Rightarrow x=716(x+14)^2=48x(x+14) 16(x+14)=48x x+14=3x x=7.

Therefore AB=x+8=15AB=x+8=15AB=x+8=15 cm and AC=x+6=13AC=x+6=13AC=x+6=13 cm.

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Q12Long AnswerHOTS5 marks

Prove that the angle between the two tangents drawn from an external point to a circle is supplementary to the angle subtended by the line segment joining the points of contact at the centre.

CBSE Class 10 Maths — Circles: Prove that the angle between the two tangents drawn from an external point to a circle is supplementary to the angle subtended by the line segment jo
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Given: A circle with centre OOO; PAPAPA and PBPBPB are tangents from an external point PPP touching the circle at AAA and BBB.

To prove: APB+AOB=180\angle APB+\angle AOB=180^\circAPB+ AOB=180^.

Proof: Join OAOAOA and OBOBOB. Since a tangent is perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact,

OAP=90\angle OAP=90^\circOAP=90^ and OBP=90\angle OBP=90^\circOBP=90^.

Consider quadrilateral OAPBOAPBOAPB. The sum of its interior angles is 360360^\circ360^:

OAP+APB+PBO+BOA=360\angle OAP+\angle APB+\angle PBO+\angle BOA=360^\circOAP+ APB+ PBO+ BOA=360^.

Substituting the right angles:

90+APB+90+AOB=36090^\circ+\angle APB+90^\circ+\angle AOB=360^\circ90^+ APB+90^+ AOB=360^.

Therefore APB+AOB=360180=180\angle APB+\angle AOB=360^\circ-180^\circ=180^\circAPB+ AOB=360^-180^=180^.

Hence the angle between the two tangents is supplementary to the angle subtended by ABABAB at the centre. Proved.

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Case-based questions (4 marks)

Q13Case-basedHOTS4 marks

A circular play zone in a park has centre OOO and radius 8 m. A pole is fixed at a point PPP outside the zone with OP=17OP=17OP=17 m. Two straight ropes PAPAPA and PBPBPB are tied as tangents from PPP to the boundary of the zone, touching it at AAA and BBB.

(i) Find the length of each rope PAPAPA.

(ii) State the measure of OAP\angle OAPOAP and give the reason.

(iii) Find the area of the quadrilateral OAPBOAPBOAPB.

CBSE Class 10 Maths — Circles: A circular play zone in a park has centre O and radius 8 m. A pole is fixed at a point P outside the zone with OP=17 m. Two straight ropes PA and PB
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(i) OAPAOA\perp PAOA PA, so triangle OAPOAPOAP is right-angled at AAA. Hence PA=OP2OA2=17282=28964=225=15PA=\sqrt{OP^2-OA^2}=\sqrt{17^2-8^2}=\sqrt{289-64}=\sqrt{225}=15PA=√OP^2-OA^2=√17^2-8^2=√289-64=√225=15 m. Each rope is 15 m long (and PB=PA=15PB=PA=15PB=PA=15 m).

(ii) OAP=90\angle OAP=90^\circOAP=90^, because the tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact.

(iii) The quadrilateral OAPBOAPBOAPB is made up of two congruent right triangles OAPOAPOAP and OBPOBPOBP. Area of each =12×OA×PA=12×8×15=60=\dfrac{1}{2}\times OA\times PA=\dfrac{1}{2}\times8\times15=60=1/2× OA× PA=1/2×8×15=60 m2^2^2.

Total area of OAPB=2×60=120OAPB=2\times60=120OAPB=2×60=120 m2^2^2.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Are these Circles important questions free?
    Yes. All 13 CBSE Class 10 Maths important questions for Circles are free, with full model answers and no login required.
  • Do these Circles questions follow the latest CBSE syllabus?
    Yes — they are aligned to the NCERT 2026–27 syllabus for CBSE Class 10 Maths, so nothing here is outside the current course.
  • How should I practise the Circles important questions?
    Attempt each question on paper first, then reveal the model answer to check your method — not just the final result. Re-do anything you got wrong the same day.
  • What types of questions are covered for Circles?
    A full mix — multiple-choice questions, assertion–reason questions, very short answer questions, short answer questions, long answer questions, case-based questions — so every format in the CBSE paper is covered.

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