Question

Find the length of the tangent segments from (16,12) to the circle with equation x^2 + y^2 = 100
Can somebody explain this to me? I don't even know how to draw the picture....

Answer 1

\[d=\sqrt{16^2+12^2-10^2}=10\sqrt{3}\]

Answer 2

can you explain why?

Answer 3

thank you! that helped a ton

Answer 4

actually, I have another question - how do you know that length is 20?

Answer 5

Pythagorean theorem

Answer 6

oh, okay, thanks.