Question 595931
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Solution depends upon the assumption that B is the point of tangency of the line containing the segement AB.


Label the center of the circle as point O.  Construct the radius OB and the segment OA.  A radius to a point of tangency is perpendicular to the tangent line, hence triangle AOB is a right triangle.


Label the point of intersection of the circle and the line segment OA as point D.  Note that OD is a radius so OD measures 5 ft.  Note that DA is given as 8 ft.  Finally, the measure of OA is the sum of the measures of OD and DA, which is to say 13 feet.


Note that OB is a radius and therefore measures 5 ft.


Note that you have a right triangle where the short leg measures 5 ft and the hypotenuse measures 13 ft.


Use the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the measure of the other leg of the triangle, namely the segment AB.


Quick method:  Recall the Pythagorean triple where 5 is the smallest value and 13 is the largest value.  Use the third value as the measure of AB.


John
*[tex \LARGE e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0]
My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it
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