SOLUTION: Segment AS is a tangent to circle center M at point S If the radius of the circle is 5 and AM = 12 find AS

Algebra ->  Circles -> SOLUTION: Segment AS is a tangent to circle center M at point S If the radius of the circle is 5 and AM = 12 find AS       Log On


   

Question 1116591: Segment AS is a tangent to circle center M at point S
If the radius of the circle is 5 and AM = 12 find AS
Answer by greenestamps(13208) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


A radius to a point of tangency is perpendicular to the tangent, so MS is perpendicular to AS.

AM is then the hypotenuse of right triangle SAM, so

MS%5E2%2BAS%5E2=AM%5E2
5%5E2%2BAS%5E2+=+12%5E2
25%2BAS%5E2+=+144
AS%5E2+=+119
AS+=+sqrt%28119%29