Question

AB is a chord of length 3 inches in a circle of radius 2.5 inches. Find the distance of AB from the center of the circle.

Answer 1

2 inches

Explanation:

Given that:

|AB| = 3 inches

Let the radius be |AC| where C is the center of the circle.

The distance from C (center of the circle) to where it cuts the line AB(chord) is required to be determined.

So, let that point on line AB be point D.

Then, |CD| from the center of the circle can be figured out by using the Pythagoras rule.

i.e.

AC² = AD² + CD²

2.5² = 1.5² + CD²

6.25 = 2.25 + CD²

6.25 - 2.25 = CD²

4 = CD²

CD = √4

CD = 2 inches