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AB is a chord of a circle, centre O, with radius 17cm.If AB=16cm, find the distance of O from AB.
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Draw the perpendicular from the center O to the cord AB, and let the point C represents its intersection with the chord AB.
The length |OC| is the distance of interest, d.
Notice that the point C bisects the chord AB. It is because the triangle OAB is isosceles having congruent sizes OA and OB (radii).
Now from the right-angled triangle OAC you have
d = = = = = 15.
Thus the distance d is 15 cm.
Answer. The distance of O from AB is 15 cm.
