circles p and q have radii 6 and 2 and are tangent to each other. find the length of their common external tangent ab
Accepted Solution
A:
Refer to the diagram shown below.
x = the length of the common tangent to the two circles. From the Pythagorean Theorem, x² + 4² = 6² x² = 6² - 4² = 36 - 16 = 20 x = √(4)(5) = 2√5 = 4.472