Question

Find the value of the variable. If the answer is not a whole number, round to the nearest tenth.

The image is of a circle with two secant segments which intersect outside the circle. Inside and outside length of first one are marked as x and 5 respectively. Inside and outside length of second one are marked as 10 and 4 respectively.

A. 9
B. 8
C. 6.2
D. 22.5

Answer 1

C

Explanation:

Two secants drawn to a circle from a common external point, then

The product of the external part and the entire part of one secant is equal to the product of the external part and the entire part of the other secant, that is

5(5 + x) = 4(4 + 10) = 4 × 14 = 56

25 + 5x = 56 ( subtract 25 from both sides )

5x = 31 ( divide both sides by 5 )

x = 6.2 → C