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3 votes
Please help me find X

Please help me find X-example-1
User Ngoc Tran
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

x = 2

Explanation:

The product of distances from the intersection of secants to the near and far intersections with the circle are the same. For a tangent, the near and far points of intersection with the circle are the same. This relation tells us ...

(2√3)(2√3) = x(x +4)

12 = x² +4x

16 = x² +4x +4 . . . . . add the square of half the x-coefficient to complete the square

4² = (x +2)² . . . . . . . . write as squares

4 = x +2 . . . . . . . . . . positive square root

2 = x . . . . . . . . . . . . . subtract 2

_____

Alternate solution

If you believe x to be an integer, you can look for factors of 12 that differ by 4.

12 = 1×12 = 2×6 = 3×4

The factors 2 and 6 differ by 4, so x=2 and x+4=6.

User Nathanbweb
by
8.0k points

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