Secant — Geometry, what it means and where it is taught
A line that cuts the circle at two points.
Taught in Geometry.
Where it is taught
Practise this idea
2 questions in the course bank use Secant, in Circle Angles, Arcs & Chords, Trigonometric Identities & Equations.
Problem 1
Two secants from an external point cut arcs 120° and 46°. Find the angle.
Worked answer
37
120 - 46 = 74
74 ÷ 2 = 37°
Problem 2
If cosθ=12, find secθ.
Worked answer
2
11/2=2