From point A to a circle centered at point O, a tangent AC is drawn if OA = 13 cm and OC = 5 cm

From point A to a circle centered at point O, a tangent AC is drawn if OA = 13 cm and OC = 5 cm then the length of CA is …

The OS line is the radius drawn to the tangency point.

The radius drawn to the point of tangency is perpendicular to the tangent itself, then the angle OCA = 90, and the triangle OCA is rectangular.

By the Pythagorean theorem, we determine the length of the leg AC.

AC ^ 2 = OA ^ 2 – OC ^ 2 = 169 – 25 = 144.

OC = R = 12 cm.

Answer: The length of the tangent AC is 12 cm.



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