P3 - Edexcel - Length of a tangent

This question is from the 2003 jan paper . We are given the center of the circle and the radius. Center of the circle is (4,5) radius is 5.

A tangent to the circle, drawn from the point P(8, 17), touches the circle at T.
(c) Find, to 3 significant figures, the length of PT.

Thanks.

Reply 1

Gaz031

15

Paxi

This question is from the 2003 jan paper . We are given the center of the circle and the radius. Center of the circle is (4,5) radius is 5.

A tangent to the circle, drawn from the point P(8, 17), touches the circle at T.
(c) Find, to 3 significant figures, the length of PT.

Thanks.

Draw out a sketch showing the circle and P. Then draw on a right angled triangle with sides PT, CP, CT, where C is the centre of the circle. You can then use pythagoras to find the required length as the radius makes right angle with the tangent.

Reply 2

Paxi

OP

1

Thanks ... sounds awfully simple now :tongue:

P3 - Edexcel - Length of a tangent

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