Question

Basketball The Xs show the positions of two basketball teammates relative to the circular "key" on a basketball court. The player outside the key passes the ball to the player on the key. To the nearest tenth of a foot, how long is the pass?

Answer 1

In order to find the value of x, we can use the secants property in a circle, so we have the following equation:

`\begin{gathered} 5\cdot(5+12)=6\cdot(6+x) \\ 5\cdot17=36+6x \\ 85=36+6x \\ 6x=85-36 \\ 6x=49 \\ x=(49)/(6) \\ x=8.17 \end{gathered}`

Adding 6 to the value of x and rounding to the nearest tenth, the distance between the players (the length of the pass) is 14.2 feet.