Difference between revisions of "Chord"

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{{stub}}
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A '''chord''' of a [[circle]] <math>O</math> is a [[line segment]] joining two [[point]]s on <math>O</math>.
 
 
A '''chord''' of a [[circle]] <math>C</math> is a [[line segment]] joining two [[point]]s on <math>C</math>.
 
  
 
<asy>size(100);
 
<asy>size(100);
pair C=origin, A=dir(135), B=dir(30);
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pair O=origin,A=dir(135),B=dir(30);
 
D(unitcircle);
 
D(unitcircle);
 
D(A--B);
 
D(A--B);
MP("C",D(C),N);
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MP("O",D(O),S);
MP("A",D(A),NW);
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MP("A",D(A),W);
MP("B",D(B),NE);</asy>
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MP("B",D(B),E);</asy>
  
The [[diameter]] of a circle is the longest chord of the circle. The diameter goes through the center of the circle.
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The [[diameter]] of a circle is the longest chord of that circle. The diameter goes through the center of the circle.
  
 
<asy>size(120);
 
<asy>size(120);
pair C=origin, A=dir(170), B=dir(-10);
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pair O=origin,A=dir(170),B=dir(-10);
 
D(unitcircle);
 
D(unitcircle);
 
D(A--B);
 
D(A--B);
MP("C",D(C),NNE);
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MP("O",D(O),N);
MP("A",D(A),WNW);
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MP("A",D(A),W);
MP("B",D(B),ESE);</asy>
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MP("B",D(B),E);</asy>
  
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{{stub}}
 
[[Category:Geometry]]
 
[[Category:Geometry]]

Revision as of 22:45, 12 December 2008

A chord of a circle $O$ is a line segment joining two points on $O$.

[asy]size(100); pair O=origin,A=dir(135),B=dir(30); D(unitcircle); D(A--B); MP("O",D(O),S); MP("A",D(A),W); MP("B",D(B),E);[/asy]

The diameter of a circle is the longest chord of that circle. The diameter goes through the center of the circle.

[asy]size(120); pair O=origin,A=dir(170),B=dir(-10); D(unitcircle); D(A--B); MP("O",D(O),N); MP("A",D(A),W); MP("B",D(B),E);[/asy]

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