Question

In the figure below, PR and PQ are tangent to the circle with center O. Given that OQ = 10 and OP = 26, find PR.​

Answer 1

Answer: PR = 24

Explanation:

OQ = 10 is the radius, and so is segment RO. Both are the same length as they are the radii of the same circle. Triangle ORP has a leg of RO = 10 and a hypotenuse of PO = 26. The unknown side is PR = x.

Use the pythagorean theorem. We can use this theorem because the tangent formed (at point R) creates a 90 degree angle.

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

(PR)^2 + (RO)^2 = (PO)^2

x^2 + 10^2 = 26^2

x^2 + 100 = 676

x^2 = 676 - 100

x^2 = 576

x = sqrt(576) ... apply square root

x = 24