Mathematics
A point P is 13 cm from the centre of a circle. The length of the tangent drawn from P to the circle is 12 cm. Find the distance of P from the nearest point of the circle.
Answer
Let T be the point of contact of the tangent from point P to the circle with centre O.
From figure,
OT ⊥ PT (As tangent and radius from point of contact are perpendicular to each other.)
In right-angled triangle OPT
⇒ OP2 = OT2 + PT2
⇒ 132 = OT2 + 122
⇒ 169 - 144 = OT2
⇒ OT2 = 25
⇒ OT = 5 cm.
From figure,
⇒ OA = OT = 5 cm (Radius of the circle.)
⇒ PA = OP - OA = 13 - 5 = 8 cm.
Hence, the distance of P from the nearest point of circle = 8 cm.
Related Questions
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