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.
