Question

What is the length of segment AC?

Answer 1

AC = 12

Explanation:

If segment AB is tangent to circle C, then

angle ABC is 90 degrees, so that the Pythagorean theorem applies.

AC^2

= AB^2 + BC^2

= 9.6^2 + 7.2^2 factor out 2.4

= 2.4^2(4^2+3^2) use 3^2+4^2 = 5^2

= 2.4^2*5^2

AC = sqrt(AC^2) = sqrt(2.4^2*5^2) = 2.4*5 = 12