Extend the segment that goes from the center of the circle to the chord, and draw a diameter. If the chord and the diameter are perpendicular, then the diameter bisects the chord.
17.3
Practice makes perfect
In the given diagram, we can extend the segment that goes from the center of the circle to the chord, and draw a diameter.
Since the chord and the diameter are perpendicular, we know that the diameter bisects the chord.
Finally, we will pay close attention to the right triangle. Be aware of the fact that the chord being bisected tells us that the length of one of the legs is x2. The other leg's length is given to be 5. We also know the length of the hypotenuse, 10.
To find the value of x2, we will substitute these values into the Pythagorean Theorem.
