Question:
If PT is tangent drawn from a point P to a circle touching it at T and O is the centre of the circle, then ∠OPT + ∠POT =
(a) 30°
(b) 60°
(c) 90°
(d) 180°
Solution:
Let us first put the given data in the form of a diagram.
We know that the radius will always be perpendicular to the tangent at the point of contact. Therefore,
$O T \perp P T$
$\angle O T P=90^{\circ}$
Consider $\triangle O T P$. We know that sum of all angles of a triangle will be $180^{\circ}$. Therefore,
$\angle O T P+\angle P O T+\angle O P T=180^{\circ}$
Since $\angle O T P=90^{\circ}$, we have,
$\angle O T P+\angle P O T+\angle O P T=180^{\circ}$
$90^{\circ}+\angle P O T+\angle O P T=180^{\circ}$
$\angle P O T+\angle O P T=90^{\circ}$
Choice (c) is the right answer.