92.9k views
18 votes
Please solve the attached problem with all steps.

Please solve the attached problem with all steps.-example-1
User Dspyz
by
4.3k points

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

x = 8

Explanation:

Theorem

When a secant segment and a tangent segment meet at an exterior point, the square of the measure of the tangent segment is equal to the product of the measures of the secant segment and its external secant segment.

Secant: a straight line that intersects a circle at two points

Tangent: a straight line that touches a circle at only one point

Given:

  • tangent segment = x
  • secant segment = 4 + 12 = 16
  • external secant segment = 4

⇒ x² = 16 · 4

⇒ x² = 64

⇒ x² = √(64)

⇒ x = ±8

As distance is positive, x = 8

User Sahil Sonawane
by
4.3k points