Question

5. Solve for x. I keep getting different answers ranging from 35 to 56

Answer 1

Answer: 21

Step-by-step explanation:

x is a tangent line, 56-7 is a secant line.  The length is equal to the outside segment times the entire segment. Notice that the length of the outside of the segment is equal to the entire segment for the tangent line.

$x^2=7(56+7)\\\\x^2=7(63)\\\\x=\sqrt{7(63)}\\\\x=\sqrt{7(7\cdot 9)}\\\\x=7\cdot 3\\\\\large\boxed{x=21}$