Question

A line intersecting a circle in two points is called
(a) Tangent
(b) Secant
(c) Point of contact
(d) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: This question is just a theoretical question. Read the theory of circles and its related topics. A circle and a line can intersect at most 2 points and it is also possible that they don’t intersect. There is a special name for the condition that the line and circle touch at one point and when they intersect at two points.

Complete Step-by-step answer:
First let us recall what the definition of circle is.
Circle is defined as the locus of points which is at constant distance from a particular fixed point. This fixed point is called the centre of the circle and that constant distance is called the radius of the circle. It is a closed figure in a plane formed by only one curve and divides the plane into two regions. One region is called interior and the other region is called exterior.
Now let's recall some more terms related to circles.

Tangent is a line in a plane along a circle such that the line touches the circle at one point.

     CF is tangent to circle c at point C

There is one more definition tangent. But we will discuss after one more definition.

Secant is a line in a plane of a circle such that the line touches the circle at two points.

                        BC is secant of circle c

Another definition of tangent is related to secant.
Suppose that the secant BC is moved such that point B is fixed and point C approaches to point B.

In this way the point C approaches point B and ultimately merges with point B and the secant converts to tangent at point B.

So if the line intersects the circle at two points then that line is called secant to circle.
Hence option (b) is correct.

Note: This question is based on the theory of circles. The one who has the good knowledge of circles can answer this question.The definition of various lines intersecting circles at different points is very important.