SOLUTION: A line tangent to a circle with a center (-9,6) intersects at point (-2,5). Find the equation of the tangent.

Algebra ->  Circles -> SOLUTION: A line tangent to a circle with a center (-9,6) intersects at point (-2,5). Find the equation of the tangent.      Log On


   

Question 1024054: A line tangent to a circle with a center (-9,6) intersects at point (-2,5). Find the equation of the tangent.
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the line connecting the center of the circle and the point of intersection.
The tangent line is perpendicular to this line.
First find the slope,
m=%285-6%29%2F%28-2-%28-9%29%29=-1%2F7
Perpendicular lines have slopes that are negative reciprocals,
%281%2F7%29%2Am%5B2%5D=-1
m%5B2%5D=7
Using the point slope form,
y-5=%287%29%28x-%28-2%29%29
y-5=7x%2B14
y=7x%2B19
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