Math Help Forum - View Single Post - Distance from a point to the center of a circle

HallsofIvy · #3 May 19th, 2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shyam

Use Pythagorean Theorem,

$PO^2=PA^2+AO^2$

$PO^2=(24)^2+(7)^2$

$PO^2=576+49=625$

$PO=25$

Shyam's point is that, since a tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius at the point of tangency, the three lines form a right triangle. That is why the Pythagorean theorem can be used.