Question

How many tangents can be drawn from a point outside a given circle?

(a) 4

(b) 3

(c) 2

(d) 1

I have been asked this question during an interview for a job.

This intriguing question comes from Drawing Tangents and Normals for Different Conditions of Circle topic in division Geometrical Construction of Engineering Drawing

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) 2

To explain I would say: Two tangents can be drawn from a point outside a given circle. The method to draw tangent to the circle first involves joining the point and the centre and then drawing a semicircle with that length as diameter. Then join the intersection points on the circle and the point outside you get the tangent.