Question

If PT is a tangent at T to a circle whose centre is O and OP=17 cm, OT=8 cm, Find the length of the tangent segment PT.

Answer 1

$\Delta OPT$ is a right angled triangle, with $\angle T$ = ${90}^{\circ }$
By Pythagoras theorem,

$O{P}^2=O{T}^2+T{P}^2$

${17}^2=8^2+T{P}^2$

$225=T{P}^2$

$TP=15$

$\therefore$Length of segment PT is 15cm.