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If PR = 4 and RS = 5, what if PQ?

If PR = 4 and RS = 5, what if PQ?-example-1
User PatrickvL
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2 Answers

21 votes
21 votes

The measure of the tangent line PQ to the circle is 6 units.

To solve for the length of PQ, we use the secant-tangent power theorem:

( tangent segment )² = External part of the secant segment × Secant segment.

Given that:

Tangent segment = PQ = ?

The external part of the secant segment = PR = 4

Secant segment = PR + RS = 4 + 5 = 9

Plug these values into the above formula and solve for the tangent line PQ:

( PQ )² = PR × ( PR + RS )

( PQ )² = 4 × ( 9 )

( PQ )² = 36

PQ = √36

PQ = 6 units

Therefore, segment PQ measures 6 units.

User CosmicGiant
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3.4k points
10 votes
10 votes

Given,

The measure of line segment PR is 4.

The measure of line segment RS is 5.

We know that,

By the relaation of tangent ans secant


PQ^2=PR*(PR+RS)

Subsituting the values then,


\begin{gathered} PQ^2=4*(4+5) \\ PQ^2=4*9 \\ PQ^2=36 \\ PQ=6 \end{gathered}

Hence, the measure of tangent PQ is 6

User Palpatim
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2.4k points