Question

AB is a common external tangent to circles D and C. The points of tangency are at A and B. DC =13, BC = 2 and AD = 7.Find AB.

Answer 1

Answer:

AB = 13.93

Explanation:

We would form a right triangle as shown below

Considering right triangle AEB, we would calculate AB by applying the Pythagorean theorem which is expressed as

hypotenuse^2 = one leg^2 + other leg^2

One leg = AE = 5

other leg = EB = 13

hypotenuse = AB

Thus,

AB^2 = 5^2 + 13^2 = 25 + 169 = 194

AB = √194

AB = 13.93