Question

In the figure shown, L is the center of the circle and PQ is a chord of the circle measuring 30 centimeters (cm). What is the length, in centimeters, of PL? _ cm. LM is 8.

Answer 1

Since LM (the perpendicular from the center to the chord) bisects the chord, PM = 30/2 = 15. In right triangle PLM,

PL^2 = LM^2 + PM^2 = 8^2 + 15^2 = 64 + 225 = 289,

so PL = sqrt(289) = 17 cm.