Question

The tangent to a circle of radius 6 cm from an external point p, is of length 8 cm. Calculate the distance of p from the nearest point of the circle.

Answer 1

Let P be the external point. O be the origin. join O and P get OP and nearest point on the circle from P be A.

Let Q be the point onthe circle  in which, tangent make 90° with radius at Q.

PQ = 8 and OQ = 6

we get a right angled triangle  PQO right angled at Q.

so, OP^2 = OQ^2 + PQ^2= 8^2 + 6^2 = 64 + 36 =1==

therefore OP =10cm

we need nearest point from P, which is PA

PA = OP - OA= 10 -6=4cm

Answer 2

the answer of this question is 4 cm