Question

A nickel, a dime, and a quarter are touching
as shown. Tangents are drawn from point A to both sides of each coin. What can you conclude about the four tangent segments? Explain.

Answer 1

you know that when you draw the two tangents from a point A to either side of a circle, the tangent segments (from pt A to the circle) are equal in length

Answer 2

yes

Answer 3

so start with the left most tangent line. label is length L
what is the length of the other tangent line ?

Answer 4

L

Answer 5

so the tangent line to the left side of the dime has length L
what about the other tangent line, on the right side of the dime ?

Answer 6

L

Answer 7

continue.. what is the length of the tangents to the quarter?

Answer 8

all the tangent segments are equal

Answer 9

L

Answer 10

thanks @phi for the help

Answer 11

yw