The figure shows a circle of radius 9 cm with O as the centre. The diameter AB produced meets the tangent PQ at P. If PA = 24 cm, find the length of tangent PQ.

Given,

Radius of circle (r) = OA = OB = 9 cm

From figure,

AB = OA + OB = 9 + 9 = 18 cm

PB = PA - AB = 24 - 18 = 6 cm

We know that,

If a secant segment and tangent segment are drawn to a circle from the same external point, the length of the tangent segment is the geometric mean between the length of the secant segment and the length of the external part of the secant segment.

⇒ PQ² = PB × PA

⇒ PQ² = 6 × 24

⇒ PQ² = 144

⇒ PQ = $\sqrt{144}$ = 12 cm.

Hence, length of tangent PQ = 12 cm.