Answer:
x = 5.5
Step-by-step explanation:
Given 2 secants intersecting the circle from a point outside the circle then
The product of the external part and the entire part of one secant is equal to the product of the external part and the entire part of the other secant, that is
x(x + 14) = 6(6 + 12)
x² + 14x = 6 × 18 = 108 ( subtract 108 from both sides )
x² + 14x - 108 = 0 ← in standard form
with a = 1, b = 14 and c = - 108
Using the quadratic formula to solve for x
x = ( - b ± ) / 2a
= ( - 14 ± ) / 2
= ( - 14 ± ) / 2
= ( - 14 ± ) / 2
x = or x =
x = - 19.5 or x = 5.5 ( to 1 dec. place )
However x > 0 ⇒ x = 5.5