<p>in the xy-plane, a circle has its center at the origin and a radius of 5. What is the length of the shortest line segment that has one endpoint on the circle and the another at (13,0)</p>
<p>i have no idea how to approach.</p>
<p>Draw it. The answer will be obvious and you’ll see how to approach similar problems.</p>
<p>I think this problem has been asked on other recent threads. The best solution is to draw it, as Snowme said.</p>
<p>well the point (13,0) is on the x-axis. Therefore, the shortest line segment is the distance from (5,0) on the circle to (13,0). You can use the distance formula (don’t feel like typing out) or just realize that since the y coordinate is the same, the distance is just the difference of the x-coordinates (8)</p>
<p>If the point wasn’t on an axis, I’d find the distance from the origin to the point (distance formula), then subtract 5 (to account for the distance from the origin to the circle)</p>
<p>If I left anything unclear please feel free to ask.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot matt846</p>