ISEE Upper Level Quantitative : How to find the length of a chord

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Quantitative

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of A Chord

Chords 1

Refer to the above figure. Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 3 

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(a) and (b) are equal

(a) is the greater quantity

(b) is the greater quantity

Correct answer:

(b) is the greater quantity

Explanation:

If two chords intersect inside a circle, both chords are cut in a way such that the products of the lengths of the two chords formed in each are the same - in other words, 

or

Therefore, .

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Length Of A Chord

Secant

Figure NOT drawn to scale

In the above figure,  is the center of the circle, and  is a tangent to the circle. Also, the circumference of the circle is .

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 25

Possible Answers:

(b) is the greater quantity

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(a) and (b) are equal

(a) is the greater quantity

Correct answer:

(a) and (b) are equal

Explanation:

 is a radius of the circle from the center to the point of tangency of , so 

,

and  is a right triangle. The length of leg  is known to be 24. The other leg  is a radius radius; we can find its length by dividing the circumference by :

The length hypotenuse, , can be found by applying the Pythagorean Theorem:

.

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Length Of A Chord

Chords 1

Figure NOT drawn to scale.

Refer to the above figure. Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 7

Possible Answers:

(a) is the greater quantity

(b) is the greater quantity

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(a) and (b) are equal

Correct answer:

(b) is the greater quantity

Explanation:

If two chords intersect inside a circle, both chords are cut in a way such that the products of the lengths of the two chords formed in each are the same - in other words, 

Solving for :

Since , it follows that , or .

Example Question #4 : How To Find The Length Of A Chord

 

Secant

In the above figure,  is a tangent to the circle.

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 32

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(a) is the greater quantity

(b) is the greater quantity

(a) and (b) are equal

Correct answer:

(b) is the greater quantity

Explanation:

If a secant segment and a tangent segment are constructed to a circle from a point outside it, the square of the distance to the circle along the tangent is equal to the product of the distances to the two points on the circle along the secant; in other words,

Simplifying, then solving for :

 

To compare  to 32, it suffices to compare their squares: 

, so, applying the Power of a Product Principle, then substituting,

, so

it follows that

.

Example Question #5 : How To Find The Length Of A Chord

Secant

Figure NOT drawn to scale

In the above figure,  is a tangent to the circle.

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 8

Possible Answers:

(b) is the greater quantity

(a) is the greater quantity

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(a) and (b) are equal

Correct answer:

(a) and (b) are equal

Explanation:

If a secant segment and a tangent segment are constructed to a circle from a point outside it, the square of the distance to the circle along the tangent is equal to the product of the distances to the two points on the circle intersected by the secant; in other words,

Simplifying and solving for :

Factoring out :

Either  - which is impossible, since  must be positive, or

, in which case .

Example Question #6 : How To Find The Length Of A Chord

Chords 1

Refer to the above figure. Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(b) is the greater quantity

(a) is the greater quantity

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(a) and (b) are equal

Correct answer:

(a) and (b) are equal

Explanation:

If two chords intersect inside a circle, both chords are cut in a way such that the products of the lengths of the two chords formed in each are the same - in other words, 

Divide both sides of this equation by , then cancelling:

The two quantities are equal.

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