Question

4. In the diagram below, assume the line that appears to be tangent is tangent. C is the center of the circle. Find the value of x. Explain your steps

Answer 1

well clearly if the line is tangent that radius must be perpendicular and we have a right triangle... consider that circles have constant radius so:

Answer 2

our hypotenuse is of length \(x+9\) and our legs are \(9,12\) so use the Pythagorean theorem and solve:$$a^2+b^2=c^2\\9^2+12^2=(x+9)^2$$