Understanding tangents and secants is easier when we think about them in relation to a circle. Let’s break it down:

1. Tangents:

   • A tangent is like a line that just touches the circle at one spot.
   • For example, if you have a point, let’s call it $P$, on the circle, the tangent line at $P$ makes a right angle with the line that goes from the center of the circle to point $P$.
   • Picture this: Imagine a straight line lightly touching the edge of a pizza. That line is your tangent.

2. Secants:

   • A secant is a line that goes through the circle at two places.
   • Think about this: Picture a slice that cuts through the pizza from one side to the other. The line that cuts through the circle and touches it at two points is your secant.

When we understand how tangents and secants work with circles, it helps us learn about shapes and spaces more easily!