SAT Math : How to find the length of a radius

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #361 : Plane Geometry

Chords

In the above diagram,  and  have lengths  and , respectively. Give the radius of the circle.

Possible Answers:

The question cannot be answered with the information given.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If two chords of a circle intersect, the measure of the angles they form is equal to half the sum of the measures of the angles they intercept that is, 

The ratio of the measures of arcs on the same circle is equal to that of their lengths, so

and 

Substituting:

 if  is the circumference of the circle, and the length of the arc  is ,

 has length  and measure  so

or

Since, if the radius is ,

Solve for :

 

Example Question #362 : Plane Geometry

Secant

In the above diagram,  and  have lengths  and , respectively. Give the radius of the circle.

Possible Answers:

The question cannot be answered with the information given.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The ratio of the degree measures of the arcs is the same as that of their lengths. Therefore, 

and 

If a secant and a tangent are drawn to a circle from a point outside the circle, the measure of the angle they form is equal to half the difference of the measures of their intercepted arcs; therefore, 

Substituting:

Since  has length , then, if we let  be the circumference of the circle,

Divide the circumference by  to obtain the radius:

Example Question #61 : Radius

Give the radius of a circle with diameter fifteen yards.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Convert fifteen yards to inches by multiplying by 36:

The radius of a circle is one half its diameter, so multiply this by :

Example Question #61 : Radius

Tangents

In the above diagram,  has length . Give the radius of the circle to the nearest whole number.  

Possible Answers:

The question cannot be answered with the information given.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Call . The measure of the corresponding major arc is  

If two tangents are drawn to a circle from a point outside the circle, the measure of the angle they form is equal to half the difference of the measures of their intercepted arcs; therefore

Substituting:

Therefore, . Since  has length , it follows that if  is the circumference of the circle, 

Divide the circumference by  to obtain the radius:

.

This makes 47 the correct choice.

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