Two concentric circles are of radii 5 cm and 3 cm. Find the length of the chord of the larger circle which touches the smaller circle.
Let the two concentric circles with centre O.
AB be the chord of the larger circle which touches the smaller circle at point P.
∴ AB is tangent to the smaller circle to the point P.
⇒ OP ⊥ AB
By Pythagoras theorem in ΔOPA,
OA2 = AP2 + OP2
⇒ 52 = AP2 + 32
⇒ AP2 = 25 - 9
⇒ AP = 4
In ΔOPB,
Since OP ⊥ AB,
AP = PB (Perpendicular from the center of the circle bisects the chord)
AB = 2AP = 2 × 4 = 8 cm
∴ The length of the chord of the larger circle is 8 cm.
