Find the length of a chord which is at a distance of 4 cm from the centre of a circle of radius 6 cm.
Question:
Find the length of a chord which is at a distance of 4 cm from the centre of a circle of radius 6 cm.
Solution:
Given that,
Radius of the circle (OA) = 6 cm
Distance (OC) = 4 cm
In ΔOCA, by Pythagoras theorem
$\mathrm{AC}^{2}+\mathrm{OC}^{2}=\mathrm{OA}^{2}$
$\Rightarrow \mathrm{AC}^{2}+4^{2}=6^{2}$
$\Rightarrow \mathrm{AC}^{2}=36-16$
$\Rightarrow \mathrm{AC}^{2}=20$
$\Rightarrow \mathrm{AC}=\sqrt{20}$
⟹ AC = 4.47 cm
We know that the perpendicular distance from centre to chord bisects the chord.
AC = BC = 4.47 cm
Then AB = 4.47 + 4.47
= 8.94 cm