Question:
Prove that the lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.
Solution:
We have to prove that the lengths of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal.
Draw a circle with centre O and tangents PA and PB, where P is the external point and A and B are the points of contact of the tangents.
Join OA, OB and OP.
Now in $\triangle O A P$ and $\triangle O B P$
$\angle O A P=\angle O B P \quad\left[\right.$ Both $90^{\circ}$, because radius is perpendicular to the tangent $] .$
$O P=O P$ [common]
$O A=O B$ [radii]
Therefore $\Delta \mathrm{OAP} \cong \Delta \mathrm{OBP}$ [RHS congruency]
$P A=P B \quad$ (Congruent property of congruent triangles)
Hence proved.