Question

Find X. BC is the tangent

Answer 1

x = 9

Explanation:

The angle formed by the tangent BC and the radius AB is right at B

Thus ΔABC is right with AC as the hypotenuse

Using Pythagoras' identity in the right triangle

The square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other 2 sides, hence

AC² = AB² + BC² ← substitute given values

(x + 6)² = x² + 12² ← expand squared parenthesis on left side

x² + 12x + 36 = x² + 144 ( subtract x² from both sides )

12x + 36 = 144 ( subtract 36 from both sides )

12x = 108 ( divide both sides by 12 )

x = 9

Answer 2

Check the picture below.

let's recall that the point of tangency with the radius chord is always a right-angle.