Math 2

Common Tangents
You have studied the properties and theorems of circles related to radii, chords,
secants, and tangents. These components help to create angles and segments inside
and outside a circle. However, there are also properties and components associated
with two circles together. All circles are similar to each other and all circles are
congruent when their radii have the same length. For this project, let’s consider the
intersection of two circles. There are three possible arrangements.
1. Nopointsofintersection:
ABA
B
2. Onepointofintersection:
3. Twopointsofintersection:
A
B
C
AA
There are relationships between two circles other than the points of intersection. Those
relationships involve tangent lines and tangent segments. A common tangent for two
circles is a line or segment that touches both circles only once. These common tangents
can be internal common tangents or external common tangents. A common internal
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tangent is a common tangent that intersects the segment connecting the two centers of
the circles. A common external tangent is a common tangent that does not intersect the
segment connecting the two centers of the circles. Two circles can have up to four
common tangents, depending on how they are oriented.
Directions
Complete each question, reading the directions carefully as you go. Be sure to show all
work and insert images of diagrams as screen shots. If you are unable to take and
insert screenshots of the diagrams, print this activity sheet and create them by hand.
In addition to the answers you determine, you will be graded based on the justifications
given for both the diagrams in part 1 and the solutions to problems in part 2. So, be sure
to show all your work and state the reasoning behind your solutions. You will be given
partial credit based on the work you show and the completeness and accuracy of your
explanations.
Your teacher will give you further directions about how to submit your work. You may be
asked to upload the document, e-mail it to your teacher, or print it and hand in a hard
copy.
Now, let’s get started!
Part 1: Diagraming Common Tangents
Create diagrams to represent the possible cases for common tangents between two
circles. Your diagram can be created using multimedia sources or drawn by hand. They
should not be copied and pasted from a website. Explain why your diagrams satisfy the
given criteria.
1) NoCommonTangents(10points) a) Diagram:
b) Justification: One circle line completely inside another circle without cutting or
touching it at any point then the circles will have no common tangent.
2) OneCommonTangent(10points) a) Diagram:
b) Justification: A tangent to a circle is a line thatpasses through exactly one point on a
circle, and is perpendicular to a line passing through the center of the circle
3) TwoCommonTangents(10points) a) Diagram:
b) Justification: a tangent is a straight line that touches a curve or curved surface at a
point but if extended does not cross it at that point
4) ThreeCommonTangents(10points) a) Diagram:
b) Justification: If two circles touch each other externally at one point, they will have
three common tangents
5) FourCommonTangents(10points) a) Diagram:
b) Justification: If two circles do not touch or intersect each other and one does not lie
inside the other, they will have four common tangents
Part 2: Solving Problems with Common Tangents
Common tangents of two circles can be used to solve for unknown lengths of segments
and distances between two circles. Use what you have learned regarding relationships
between circles and their radii, chords, secants, and tangents, as well as what you have
learned about similar triangles, right triangles, and right triangle trigonometry to solve for
unknown lengths. A reference sheet has been provided to review some important
topics.
1) OMisacommonexternaltangenttocirclesKandLatpointsOandN, respectively. If JK = 12
and LN = 8, find NM to the nearest hundredth by completing the following steps. (10
points, 2 points each blank)
̅NM=41
̅̅
Step 1: Draw in radii OK and NL. Since OK and JK are radii of the same circle, they are
congruent. This means that OK = 12. Add the length of OK to the diagram.
NO
̅̅ ̅̅ ̅̅ ̅̅
Step 2: Radii OK and NL are perpendicular to OM because of the radius-tangent

theorem. By definition of perpendicular, angles KOM and LNM are right angles. This
means that triangles KOM and LNM are right triangles. Angle LMN is common to both
right triangles, so by the Angle Angle Angle (AAA) property triangles KOM and LNM are
similar.
12 K 12
NO
12
̅̅̅ ̅̅ ̅̅̅
NO
12 8
Step 3: Let LM = x. We know the lengths of the radii of each circle, so KL = 12 + 8 = 20.
Add the length of KL to the diagram.
20 units
J
12 K
20
L8
12
O
Step 4: By the definition of similar polygons, the lengths of corresponding sides OK KM
are proportional. This means that NL = LM. Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.
12 20 + x Substituting in the lengths, we get 8 = x .
Cross multiply and solve the proportion for x.
Step 5: Now, apply the Pythagorean theorem to triangle LNM to find NM, and round to
the nearest hundredth.
(LN)2 + (NM)2 = (LM)2
√1536 ≈ 39.19
2) CircleBisinternallytangenttocircleAatpointP.Likewise,circleCisinternally tangent to
circle D at point P. If BD = AC, AB = 4, and SD = 2, find the length of the diameters for
circles C and D. Be sure to justify your work. (Hint: BD = BC + CD and AC = AB + BC
by the segment addition postulate.) (10 points)
C=4 D=12
ABPCSD
(Image not to scale)

3) XZisacommonexternaltangenttocirclesWandY.What's The Distance between the two

centers of the circles? Round to the nearest hundredth. (Hint:
Draw segment WY connecting the centers of the two circles, and then draw a
̅̅ ̅̅ ̅̅
segment, WS, so that YS + SZ = YZ and WS ⊥ YZ.) (10 points)
̅̅ 42
̅̅̅
11
42
19
4) ADisacommoninternaltangenttocirclesBandC.Find Length Of The Radius of circle B.

Round to the nearest hundredth. (Hint: Prove that the two triangles are similar and use
proportions to find missing lengths.) (10 points)
̅̅ 12
18
E
64
5) JLisacommontangenttocirclesMandKatpointJ.Ifangle ML measures
61o, what is the length of radius MJ? Round to the nearest hundredth. (Hint: Show that
triangles LMJ and LKJ are right triangles, and then use right triangle trigonometry to
solving for missing sides of the right triangles.) (10 points)
̅ 3.12

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Common Tangents

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Now, let’s get started!

Part 1: Diagraming Common Tangents

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Part 2: Solving Problems with Common Tangents

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Step 2: Radii OK and NL are perpendicular to OM because of the radius-tangent

Step 4: By the definition of similar polygons, the lengths of corresponding sides OK KM

are proportional. This means that NL = LM. Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.

12 20 + x Substituting in the lengths, we get 8 = x .

Cross multiply and solve the proportion for x.

(LN)2 + (NM)2 = (LM)2

Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.

(Image not to scale)

3) XZisacommonexternaltangenttocirclesWandY.What's The Distance between the two

Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.

4) ADisacommoninternaltangenttocirclesBandC.Find Length Of The Radius of circle B.

Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.

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