PLEASE HELPPPPPP
In the diagram, AP is tangent and PBC is a secant to circle O
PC= 12
BC= 9
what is AP?
http://www.castlelearning.com/review/Courses/Geometry/MK69713.gif?v=20010726033610

Question

PLEASE HELPPPPPP
In the diagram, AP is tangent and PBC is a secant to circle O 
PC= 12
BC= 9
what is AP? 
http://www.castlelearning.com/review/Courses/Geometry/MK69713.gif?v=20010726033610

directrix · Answer

If a secant segment and tangent segment are drawn to a circle from the same external point, the product of the length of the secant segment and its external part equals the square of the length of the tangent segment.

directrix · Answer

Applying the theorem,

PC * PB = AP * AP

directrix · Answer

12*3 = (AP) ^2

Your turn: Solve the equation for AP.--> @christy12345

directrix · Answer

Go to this site and review the theorems which cover this type of problem: http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/math/geometry/GP14/CircleSegments.htm

anonymous · Answer

so the answer is 6 ?

directrix · Answer

Yes. That's what I got.

anonymous · Answer

thanks for your help

directrix · Answer

Glad to help. Study those theorems. :)