Angles Formed by Chords, Tangents, and Secants
Big Idea: When lines intersect a circle — whether as chords, secants, or tangents — they create angles whose measures are directly related to the intercepted arcs of the circle. Mastering these relationships unlocks powerful problem-solving tools in geometry.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Chord | A segment whose endpoints both lie on the circle. |
| Secant | A line that intersects a circle at exactly two points. |
| Tangent | A line that touches a circle at exactly one point (the point of tangency). |
| Intercepted Arc | The arc that lies in the interior of an angle and has its endpoints on the sides of the angle. |