Question

in figure AB and AC are tangent to a circle with center O and radius 8 cm .if OA=17cm,find AC​

Answer 1

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

We know that the radius and tangent are perpendicular at their point of contact  

In right triangle AOB  

By using Pythagoras theorem,

$OA^{2}= AB^2 + OB^2 \\17^2 = AB^2 + 8^2 \\289= AB^2 +64 \\AB^2 = 225 \\AB= 15cm$

The tangents drawn from the external point are equal  Therefore, the length of AC is 15 cm