Easy
A point P is at a distance of 87 cm from the centre O of a circle of radius 60 cm. Find the length of the tangent drawn from P to the circle.
Explanation
Explanation
The tangent, the radius to the point of contact, and the line OP form a right triangle with OP as the hypotenuse. By Pythagoras: (tangent)² = OP² - r² = 87² - 60² = 7569 - 3600 = 3969. So tangent length = √3969 = 63 cm.
PRO TIP
Re-check your working by substituting the answer back into the original question.