- Assertion (A): The tangent to a circle is a special case of the secant when the two end points of its corresponding chord coincide. This is true because a secant intersects a circle at two points, and when the two points coincide, the secant becomes a tangent that touches the circle at exactly one point.
- Reason (R): A tangent to a circle is a line that intersects the circle at only one point. This is also true. A tangent intersects the circle at exactly one point, whereas a secant intersects the circle at two points.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Since both the assertion and reason are correct, and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion, the correct answer is (A).
Final Answer:} Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.