In the given figure, radius of the circle is 5 cm and perpendicular distance from the centre of the circle to the chord, AC is 3 cm.
Find the length of the chord, AC.
8 cm
In △OAB, applying Pythagoras Theorem:
OA2=OB2+AB2
⇒52=32+AB2
⇒AB2=52−32=25−9=16
⇒AB=√16=4 cm
We know that perpendicular from the centre of the circle to the chord, bisects the chord.
⇒AB=BC
Now, AC=AB+BC
⇒AC=AB+AB=2AB [∵AB=BC]
⇒AC=2×4=8 cm