Question

Point O is the center of the circle. What is the value of X?
Answer options: 24, 15, 27, 20

Answer 1

Answer: FIRST OPTION

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this problem you must apply the Intersecting Secant-Tangent Theorem. By definition, when a secant line and a tangent lline and a secant segment are drawn to a circle from an exterior point:

$(Tangent\ line)^2=(Secant\ line)(External\ Secant\ line)$

The total measure of the secant shown is:

$18+Diameter$

If the radius is 7, then the diameter is:

$D=7*2=14$

Therefore:

$Secant\ line=18+14=32$

You also know that:

$External\ Secant\ line=18\\Tangent\ line=x$

Keeping the above on mind, you can substitute values and solve  for x:

$x^{2}=32*18$

$x=\sqrt{576}\\x=24$