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)\"\" \"About 
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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
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