If the distance between the centers of two non-tangent circles is 20, r1 is 8, and the common external tangent is 16, what is the radius of the other circle?

Question

There are two non-tangent circles. The smaller circle has a radius of 8, and the distance between the centers is 20. If the common external tangent of these circles is 16, what is the radius of the larger circle?

Answer 1

Draw an label a diagram.

Draw a radius from each center to the point of tangency.

Two similar triangles are created.

Determine the corresponding lengths.