In a circle with a radius of 25 cm, a chord with a length of 48 cm is drawn. What is the minimum distance from this chord to another parallel chord of length 40 cm?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Given:
Radius of the circle = 25 cm
First chord = 48 cm
Second chord = 40 cm
Formula:
Distance of the chord from the center = √(r² − (c/2)²)
For the first chord
d₁ = √(25² − (48/2)²)
= √(625 − 24²)
= √(625 − 576)
= √49
= 7
For the second chord
d₂ = √(25² − (40/2)²)
= √(625 − 20²)
= √(625 − 400)
= √225
= 15
Minimum distance = |d₂ − d₁|= 15 − 7= 8