Answer:
156.7 miles
Step-by-step explanation:
Since [tex]x[/tex] is tangent to the circle, then it is also a right angle with the radius, from here, just do Pythagorean theorem ([tex]a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}[/tex]) to solve for [tex]x[/tex].
Since 1 leg and the hypotenuse is given to you, you want to solve for the other leg, which is [tex]x[/tex] (either [tex]a[/tex] or [tex]b[/tex]). Lets use [tex]b[/tex] for [tex]x[/tex] and set up the equation.
[tex]b^{2}=c^2-a^2[/tex]
[tex]b^2=(3959+3.1)^2-3959^2[/tex]
[tex]b^2 = 3962.1^2 - 3959^2[/tex]
[tex]b^2 = 15,698,236.41 - 15,673,681[/tex]
[tex]b^2 = 24,555.41[/tex]
[tex]\sqrt{b^2}=\sqrt{24,555.41}[/tex]
[tex]b=156.7016592[/tex]
[tex]b=156.7[/tex] (round to nearest tenth)
