Question

How do you find the variable p in the graph posted below?

Answer 1

when it says, "s=6", is that a y value or an x value?

Answer 2

i'll assume it's a y value,
so then b=6
we then have a triangle of
a=?
b=6
hypotenuse = 7
using a^2+b^2+c^2, we can solve for the distance a

looking at the graph, along the x axis we have a distance 'a' and then a blank distance.
the distance a + the blank distance = 7, why? becuase the hypotenuse of 7 is also the radius of the circle.
so we could re-write this all and say,
a + x = 7
or
x = 7-a


now looking at the triangle on the right, that made from P, b and 'x', we know
P=?
x=7-a
b=6
we have the value for a, from the first part, so we can solve for P using
a^2 + b^2 = c^2

clear as mud? ;)