Question

JK is tangent to a circle with centre H as shown below. What is HK ? 8 mi 15 mi

Answer 1

Given:

JK is tangent to a circle with center H

To find:

The length of HK.

Solution:

The image is attached below.

JK = 8 mi, HJ = 15 mi

JK is tangent to a circle.

The tangent is always perpendicular to the radius.

Therefore, m∠J = 90°

Using Pythagoras theorem:

HK² = JK² + HJ²

HK² = 8² + 15²

HK² = 64 + 225

HK² = 289

HK² = 17²

Taking square root on both sides.

HK = 17

The length of HK is 17 mi.