Thread: Distance from a point to the center of a circle
View Single Post
  #3  
Old May 19th, 2009, 12:37 PM
HallsofIvy HallsofIvy is online now
MHF Contributor
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,495
Thanks: 325
Thanked 1,213 Times in 1,114 Posts
HallsofIvy has much to be proud ofHallsofIvy has much to be proud ofHallsofIvy has much to be proud ofHallsofIvy has much to be proud ofHallsofIvy has much to be proud ofHallsofIvy has much to be proud ofHallsofIvy has much to be proud ofHallsofIvy has much to be proud ofHallsofIvy has much to be proud of
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shyam View Post
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.
Reply With Quote