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If two circles are tangent externally and a line is drawn through a point of contact and terminated by the circles. Prove that the radii drawn to its extremities are parallel.
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Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life |
Consider the given figure
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Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life |
Proof:
1. Statement: ∠1 ≅ ∠2
Reason: Vertical angles are congruent.
2. Statement: OP ≅ OA and O'P ≅ O'B
Reason: All points in a circle are equidistant from its center.
3. Statement: AB is drawn through point P.
Reason: Given item.
4. Statement: ΔOAP and ΔO'PB are isosceles triangles.
Reason: An inscribed triangle in a circle which consist of a center of a circle and the two end points of a chord is always an isosceles triangle.
5. Statement: ∠1 ≅ ∠3 and ∠2 ≅ ∠4
Reason: The two opposite angles of an isosceles triangle are congruent.
6. Statement: ∠1 ≅ ∠2 ≅ ∠3 ≅ ∠4
Reason: Transitive property of congruence.
7. Statement: ∠AOP = 180º - (∠1 + ∠3)
∠PO'B = 180º - (∠2 + ∠4)
Reason: The sum of the interior angles of a triangle is 180º.
8. Statement: ∠AOP ≅ ∠PO'B
Reason: By computation at #7, if ∠1 ≅ ∠2 ≅ ∠3 ≅ ∠4, then ∠AOP ≅ ∠PO'B.
9. Statement: OA ║ O'B
Reason: If a transveral line (OO') passed the two alternating interior angles (∠AOP and ∠PO'B) that are congruent, then it follows that the two lines (OA and O'B) which are adjacent to the alternating interior angles are parallel.