Question

Given the circle below with tangent NO and

secant QPO. If NO = 18 and Q0 = 27, find
the length of PO. Round to the nearest tenth if necessary.

Answer 1

PO = 12

Explanation:

given a tangent and a secant from an external point to the circle then

the product of the measures of the secant's external part and the entire secant is equal to the square of the measure of the tangent , that is

OP × OQ = NO²

OP × 27 = 18² = 324 ( divide both sides by 27 )

OP = 12