document.write( "Question 1191626: The tangent PT to a circle touches the circle at P. If the radius of the circle is 2.8cm and OT is 5.5cm, calculate the length of the tangent \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #823409 by Theo(13342) You can put this solution on YOUR website! OP is equal to 2.8 cm. \n" ); document.write( "OT is equal to 5.5. \n" ); document.write( "right triangle OPT is formed with OT as the hypotenuse and OP as one of the legs. \n" ); document.write( "PT is the other leg, which is also the tangent line to the circle. \n" ); document.write( "OPT is the right angle. \n" ); document.write( "let OP = x and PT = y and OT = z. \n" ); document.write( "by pythagorus, z^2 = x^2 + y^2 \n" ); document.write( "replace x with 2.8 because that's the length of OP, and replace z with 5.5 because that's the length of OT, and you get 2.8^2 + y^2 = 5.5^2. \n" ); document.write( "solve for y^2 to get y^2 = 5.5^2 - 2.8^2 = 22.41. \n" ); document.write( "solve for y to get y = sqrt(22.41) = 4.733920151. \n" ); document.write( "that's the length of PT which is the tangent. \n" ); document.write( "that should be your answer. \n" ); document.write( "you can say it's sqrt(22.41) or you can say it's 4.733920151. \n" ); document.write( "you can round 4.733920151 as required, if that's the way they want to see the answer. \n" ); document.write( "the answer depends on the fact that the tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius of the circle at the point of tangency. \n" ); document.write( "here's a reference on tangent to a circle. \n" ); document.write( "https://www.cuemath.com/geometry/tangent/ \n" ); document.write( "let me know if you have any questions or concerns. \n" ); document.write( "theo\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |