Q:

Pentagon RSTUV is circumscribed about a circle. What is the value of x if RS = 6, ST = 9, TU = 7, UV = 15, and VR = 14?A. 3B. 10C. 4.5D. 1.5

Accepted Solution

A:
Answer:D. 1.5Step-by-step explanation:One basic property you need to keep in mind while solving theses type of questions is as follows :The length of tangents from an external point on a circle are equal. For simplicity a figure illustrating this property is attached.Length of RS = 6 ; Length of AS = RS - AR = 6-xConsider S as external point and tangents as SA and SB, so SB=SA=6-xLength of ST = 9 ; Length of TB = ST - SB = 9 - (6-x) = 3+xConsider T as external point and tangents as TB and TC, so TC=TB=3+xLength of TU = 7 ; Length of UC = TU - TC = 7 - (3+x) = 4-xConsider U as external point and tangents as UC and UD, so UD=UC=4-xLength of UV = 15 ; Length of VD = UV - UD = 15 - (4-x) = 11+xConsider V as external point and tangents as VD and VE, so VE=VD=11+xLength of VR = 14 ; Length of RE = VR - VE = 14 - (11+x) = 3-xNow, Consider R as external point and tangents as RA and RE, so RA = REx = 3 - x2x = 3x = [tex]\frac{3}{2}[/tex]x = 1.5