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

Solution:

The chord of the larger circle is a tangent to the smaller circle as shown in the figure below.

PQ is a chord of a larger circle and a tangent of a smaller circle.

Tangent PQ is perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact S.

Therefore, ∠OSP = 90°

In ΔOSP (Right-angled triangle)

By the Pythagoras Theorem,

OP² = OS² + SP²

5² = 3² + SP²

SP² = 25 - 9

SP² = 16

SP = ± 4

SP is the length of the tangent and cannot be negative

Hence, SP = 4 cm.

QS = SP (Perpendicular from center bisects the chord considering QP to be the larger circle's chord)

Therefore, QS = SP = 4cm

Length of the chord PQ = QS + SP = 4 + 4

PQ = 8 cm

Therefore, the length of the chord of the larger circle is 8 cm.

☛ Check: NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 10

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Video Solution:

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

Maths NCERT Solutions Class 10 Chapter 10 Exercise 10.2 Question 7

Summary:

If two concentric circles are of radii 5 cm and 3 cm, then the length of the chord of the larger circle which touches the smaller circle is 8 cm.

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