Question

Assume that BC is tangent to circle A. Find the value of x. Round your answer to the nearest tenth

Answer 1

x ≈ 9.6

Explanation:

Δ ABC is right with ∠ C = 90° ( angle between tangent and radius )

Using Pythagoras' identity in the right triangle

x² + 14² = 17²

x² + 196 = 289 ( subtract 196 from both sides )

x² = 93 ( take the square root of both sides )

x =
`√(93)` ≈ 9.6 ( to the nearest tenth )