P (–1, 4) is a point on a circle, centre O which is at the origin. Work out the equation of the tangent to the circle at P. Give your answer in the form y = mx + c

A tangent makes an angle of 90 degrees with the radius of a circle.Using this fact, we find the gradient of the radius going through P = -4Therefore gradient of the tangent to the circle at P is -1/-4 = 1/4Then use equation for a straight line: y - y1 = m(x-x1) where x1 and y1 are the x and y coordinates of P respectively (-1,4)So we get that y = (1/4) x + 17/4

CG

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

2x^2 - 16x + 32


How to calculate sin, cos and tan


3 shops sell TVs and all 3 are having sales. Here are the three original prices of the TVs and their discounts: X12: £150 (25%), Teli-vise: £235 (1/2 off), Xpert: £60 (with a year of weekly £8 payments). Which TV is the cheapest once discounted.


Q) The equation of a curve is y=(x+4)^2+7. Find the co-ordinates of the turning point