Question 1
Explanation
To solve these types of questions, we will use the Tangent radius theorem
Tangent to a Circle Theorem
The tangent theorem states that a line is a tangent to a circle if and only if the line is perpendicular to the radius drawn to the point of tangency.
The figure below helps give a pictorial view
The principle to be used here for question 1 will be
[tex]x^2+8^2=17^2[/tex]
Simplifying further
[tex]\begin{gathered} x^2+64=289 \\ x^2=289-64 \\ x^2=225 \\ x=\sqrt{225} \\ x=15 \end{gathered}[/tex]
Thus, the value of x is 15 units
