Question

What is the measure of x?

Answer 1

x=4

Explanation:

(whole secant) x (external part) = (tangent)^2

(x+5) *x = 6^2

x^2 +5x = 36

Subtract 36 from each side

x^2 +5x - 36 = 0

Factor

( x-4) (x+9) = 0

Using the zero product property

x-4 = 0 x+9 =0

x = 4 x=-9

Cannot be negative since that is negative length

x=4