54.4k views
4 votes
Someone pls help i’m confused

Someone pls help i’m confused-example-1
User Mwhuss
by
7.4k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

ST = 32

Explanation:

Given circle U with tangents PQ = 4x+2 and QR = 7x-19 and segment QU = 34, you want the length of diameter ST.

Value of x

The two tangents are the same length, so ...

QR = PQ

7x -19 = 4x +2

3x = 21 . . . . . . . . add 19-4x

x = 7 . . . . . . . . divide by 3

The length of tangent PQ is ...

PQ = 4x +2 = 4(7) +2 = 30

Right triangle

Triangle QPU is a right triangle with leg PQ = 30 and hypotenuse QU = 34. Then the length of radius PU is found using the Pythagorean theorem:

PU² + PQ² = QU²

PU² = QU² - PQ² = 34² -30² = 256

PU = √256 = 16 . . . . . radius of the circle

Diameter

The diameter ST of the circle is twice the length of the radius:

ST = 2·PU = 2·16

ST = 32

__

Additional comment

You may recognize the right triangle as having sides that are the Pythagorean triple {8, 15, 17} multiplied by 2. The lengths 30 and 34 give you the clue.

User Centril
by
7.9k points