In the adjoining figure, if AD, AE and BC are tangents to the circle at D, E and F respectively. Then
2AD=AB+BC+CA
We know that
AD=AE
AD=AB+BE
Since BE=BF as tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal , AD=AB+BF……(1)
Also
AD=AC+CD
AD=AC+CF ……(2) (CD and CF are tangents drawn from the external point C to the circle)
Adding equation (1) and (2),
AD+AD=AB+BF+CF+AC
2AD=AB+BC+AC