Atriangle with sides measuring 8, 15 and 17 units is inscribed in a circle. what is the radius of the circle, in units?
a. 8.5 unitsb. 6 unitsc. 3 unitsd. 5 unitse. 12 units

radius of the circle is 8.5 units

Step-by-step explanation:

The diagram of the circle and the inscribed triangle is shown in the attached photo. Looking at the length of each side of the triangle given, the lengths form a Pythagorean triple. We can confirm by applying Pythagoras theorem

Hypotenuse^2 = opposite side^2 + adjacent^2. It becomes

17^2 = 8^2 + ``15^2

289 = 64 + 225

289 = 289

This means that the triangle formed is a right angle triangle.

According to Thales theorem,

The diameter of the circle always subtends a right angle to any point on the circle. Since the diameter is the longest side of the circle and the angles is formed on a point on the circle,

Diameter = 17

Radius = diameter/2 = 17/2 = 8.5