Medium
A point P is at a distance of 39 cm from the centre O of a circle of radius 36 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 = 39² - 36² = 1521 - 1296 = 225. So tangent length = √225 = 15 cm.
PRO TIP
Re-check your working by substituting the answer back into the original question.