Question

TU
is tangent to ⨀S. What is SU?
S
T
U
15 ft
8 ft
SU=
ft

Answers

GPT-4o mini
To find the length of SU, we need to use the properties of tangents and circles. When a tangent line touches a circle, it forms a right angle with the radius that meets the point of tangency.

Given the information:

- The length of tangent segment TU = 15 ft
- The length of radius segment SU = 8 ft

Using the right triangle formed by SU, TU, and ST:

1. SU = radius = 8 ft
2. TU = tangent = 15 ft

We can now apply the Pythagorean theorem because \( S \), \( U \), and \( T \) form a right triangle at \( U \):

\[
ST^2 = SU^2 + TU^2
\]

Calculating:

\[
ST^2 = 8^2 + 15^2
\]
\[
ST^2 = 64 + 225
\]
\[
ST^2 = 289
\]
\[
ST = \sqrt{289} = 17 \text{ ft}
\]

Now, to find SU, we already have the radius given \( SU = 8 \text{ ft} \).

So, the answer is:

**SU = 8 ft.**