Question

PLEASE HELP!!!

1. In the figure, TU is tangent to the circle at point U. Use the figure to answer the questions.
(a) Describe the relationship among the lengths of the segments formed by the secant, RT, and the tangent segment, TU. You may use words and/or an equation.
(b) Suppose RT = 16 in. and ST = 4 in. Is it possible to find the length of TU? If so, show how to find the length. If not, explain why not.

Answer 1

Both the parts of this question require the use of the "Intersecting Secant-Tangent Theorem".

Part A

The definition of the Intersecting Secant-Tangent Theorem is:

"If a tangent segment and a secant segment are drawn to a circle from an exterior point, then the square of the measure of the tangent segment is equal to the product of the measures of the secant segment and its external secant segment."

This, when applied to our case becomes, "The length of the secant RT, times its external segment, ST, equals the square of the tangent segment TU".

Mathematically, it can be written as:

Part B

It is given that RT = 9 in. and ST = 4 in. Thus, it is definitely possible to find the value of the length TU and it can be found using the Intersecting Secant-Tangent Theorem as:

Thus,

Thus the length of TU=6 inches