Secant and Secant Segments

In geometry, segments such as XY and XZ are called ___________________.

Do you see a relationship among the segment measures?

[b]Do the following calculations:[/b]

XY + AX = ___________[br][br]XZ + BX = ____________

Are the sums equal?

XY - AX = ___________[br][br]XZ - BX = ___________

Are the differences equal?

XY * AX = __________[br][br]XZ * BX = __________

Are the products equal?

Grab point X and move it around circle O. What do you notice about the products of XY * AX and XZ * BX?

Make a conjecture (statement) about the products of secant segments using the names of the segments in the above circle.

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