Answer: D) 5
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Work Shown:
We use the intersecting chords theorem
(AH)*(HG) = (FH)*(HB)
(x-2)*(x+7) = (2x-1)*(4)
x*(x+7) - 2(x+7) = 4(2x-1)
x^2+7x - 2x - 14 = 8x - 4
x^2 + 7x - 2x - 14 - 8x + 4 = 0
x^2 - 3x - 10 = 0
(x - 5)(x + 2) = 0
x-5 = 0 or x+2 = 0
x = 5 or x = -2
If x = -2, then AH = x-2 = -2-2 = -4, but having a negative segment length is not possible. Lengths must be positive. So we ignore x = -2
If x = 5, then we find the following lengths
- AH = x-2 = 5-2 = 3
- HG = x+7 = 5+7 = 12
- FH = 2x-1 = 2*5-1 = 9
Then note how AH*HG = 3*12 = 36 while FH*HB = 9*4 = 36. This confirms that (AH)*(HG) = (FH)*(HB) is a true equation and confirms we have the correct x value.